Nashville SC have officially won the 2026 Supporters' Shield for the first time in club history. Nashville clinched the Shield after a 2-0 win over CF Montréal on Saturday afternoon.
The Supporters' Shield is awarded to the team that earns the most points over Major League Soccer's 34-match regular season, rewarding consistency over the entire season. By winning the Shield, Nashville have secured home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs. Should Nashville advance to the MLS Cup Final, the match would be held at Geodis Park on Friday, December 18.
The Shield is the first trophy Nashville SC have won in MLS play. After winning the US Open Cup in 2025, they've now lifted major trophies in consecutive seasons, a remarkable rise under head coach BJ Callaghan. With three matches left to play in the regular season, Nashville are just five points away from breaking the single-season points record of 74, set by Inter Miami in 2024.
Nashville have tied the MLS record for the fastest team in MLS history to clinch the Shield, securing it with three matches remaining. Nashville have also earned a spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. It will be their third time in the competition, after advancing to the semifinals earlier this year.
Dominance at the Castle
Although Nashville officially clinched the Shield away from home, their incredible 2026 season has been largely powered by their dominant form at Geodis Park. The Boys in Gold have played 15 regular-season matches at home, winning 14 and drawing the other. They've outscored their opponents 45-12, tying MLS records for most wins at home (14) and most consecutive wins at home (10).
Nashville have earned 43 of their 70 points at Geodis Park, 11 more than the next-closest team in MLS.
While the Coyotes have been in record-setting form at home, they haven't slouched on the road, either. Their 1.69 points per game away from home are fourth-most in the league, tying the club's record of seven away wins this season.
Consistent success
Since their entrance into Major League Soccer in 2020, Nashville have been among the most consistent sides in the league. The 'Yotes have qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in all but one season. Nashville became the first team to officially clinch their playoff berth in 2026, punching their ticket to the playoffs in September with just 26 matches played.
Under General Manager Mike Jacobs, Nashville are one of just eight teams to qualify for the playoffs in at least five seasons between 2020-2025. Since 2020, only five teams have earned more than Nashville's 345 points in MLS play.
After Callaghan was hired in July 2024, Nashville have reached new heights. Their 2025 US Open Cup win was the first championship trophy for any Tennessee major professional sports team, and in 2026, Callaghan set the MLS record for most wins (39) through 72 matches in league history.
A star-studded squad
Nashville have arguably the deepest and most balanced squad in MLS. Led by a Designated Player trio of Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge, and Cristian Espinoza, they've scored 66 goals so far this season, only bettered by Inter Miami in MLS. Their defense is the league's best, bolstered by MLS All-Star goalkeeper Brian Schwake and All-Star right back Andy Nájar, with a pair of Defender of the Year candidates in Jeisson Palacios and Maxwell Woledzi locking down the back.
In midfield, 20-year-old Matthew Corcoran has emerged as one of the top young players in MLS, with all-action duo Patrick Yazbek and Eddi Tagseth rounding out the team. Nashville have had 18 different players score goals in 2026, the most in club history.
About the Supporters' Shield
The Supporters' Shield is a fan-created and fan-led trophy and is not run by Major League Soccer. The first Shield was awarded in 1999 and retroactively awarded to the winners of the 1996-1998 seasons.
The Shield was rebuilt in 2013. The Independent Supporters Council (ISC) formed the Supporters’ Shield Foundation, a nonprofit established to fund a new trophy, and supporters’ groups raised the $18,000 needed by selling about "I Support The Shield" scarves. The Shield belongs to supporters, not the league or its clubs, and will never carry a sponsor’s name.
Made of sterling silver and stainless steel, the Shield weighs 35 pounds and features a Telstar football design around the outside, while the middle of the shield is a nod to the original trophy. The center of the trophy is expandable, with winners' names added annually.
Every Supporters’ Shield winner, 1996–2026
| Season | Champion | Pts | GP | Pts / game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Nashville SC | 70 | 31 | 2.26 |
| 2025 | Philadelphia Union | 66 | 34 | 1.94 |
| 2024 | Inter Miami CF | 74 | 34 | 2.18 |
| 2023 | FC Cincinnati | 69 | 34 | 2.03 |
| 2022 | LAFC | 67 | 34 | 1.97 |
| 2021 | New England Revolution | 73 | 34 | 2.15 |
| 2020 | Philadelphia Union | 47 | 23 | 2.04 |
| 2019 | LAFC | 72 | 34 | 2.12 |
| 2018 | New York Red Bulls | 71 | 34 | 2.09 |
| 2017 | Toronto FC | 69 | 34 | 2.03 |
| 2016 | FC Dallas | 60 | 34 | 1.76 |
| 2015 | New York Red Bulls | 60 | 34 | 1.76 |
| 2014 | Seattle Sounders FC | 64 | 34 | 1.88 |
| 2013 | New York Red Bulls | 59 | 34 | 1.74 |
| 2012 | San Jose Earthquakes | 66 | 34 | 1.94 |
| 2011 | LA Galaxy | 67 | 34 | 1.97 |
| 2010 | LA Galaxy | 59 | 30 | 1.97 |
| 2009 | Columbus Crew | 49 | 30 | 1.63 |
| 2008 | Columbus Crew | 57 | 30 | 1.90 |
| 2007 | D.C. United | 55 | 30 | 1.83 |
| 2006 | D.C. United | 55 | 32 | 1.72 |
| 2005 | San Jose Earthquakes | 64 | 32 | 2.00 |
| 2004 | Columbus Crew | 49 | 30 | 1.63 |
| 2003 | Chicago Fire | 53 | 30 | 1.77 |
| 2002 | LA Galaxy | 51 | 28 | 1.82 |
| 2001 | Miami Fusion | 53 | 26 | 2.04 |
| 2000 | Kansas City Wizards | 57 | 32 | 1.78 |
| 1999 | D.C. United | 57 | 32 | 1.78 |
| 1998 | LA Galaxy | 68 | 32 | 2.12 |
| 1997 | D.C. United | 55 | 32 | 1.72 |
| 1996 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | 58 | 32 | 1.81 |
Source: MLS standings data (ESPN)
