Main League Soccer might be shifting its schedule to align the league’s schedule with the world’s high soccer leagues.
Beginning within the Summer season of 2027, MLS will undertake a summer-to-spring season format, the league introduced Thursday. The calendar transition and the brand new common season construction have been authorized throughout at the moment’s MLS Board of Governors assembly in Palm Seashore, Florida.
The league will even assessment potential changes to its MLS Cup Playoffs format as a part of an ongoing analysis course of however has not but finalized any modifications. MLS is continuous to work with the MLS Gamers Affiliation (MLSPA) to finalize settlement on a transition plan.
“The calendar shift is among the most essential selections in our historical past,” mentioned MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “Aligning our schedule with the world’s high leagues will strengthen our golf equipment’ international competitiveness, create higher alternatives within the switch market, and guarantee our Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take heart stage with out interruption. It marks the beginning of a brand new period for our league and for soccer in North America.”
The 2027–28 MLS common season will kick off in mid-to-late July 2027 and conclude with the MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup Closing in late Might 2028. Just like many different main worldwide leagues, MLS will observe a midwinter break from mid-December via early February, with no league matches scheduled in January.
Previous to the brand new calendar change, MLS will stage a transition season from February to Might 2027, that includes a 14-game common season, playoffs, and MLS Cup. The outcomes will decide 2027 qualification for the U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship, Leagues Cup, and CONCACAF Champions Cup.
These modifications are a part of a two-year assessment course of that began again in October 2023. Preliminary projections for the 2027–28 season point out that 91% of matches will fall throughout the present MLS season window.
One other key change of the calendar will considerably scale back conflicts between MLS league matches and nationwide staff call-ups for gamers, notably throughout summer season tournaments. A few of MLS’ match weekends this previous season have fallen on the worldwide break for a lot of different high leagues.
Further particulars concerning the 2027 transition season, 2027–28 common season, and new competitors codecs might be introduced at a later date.
The change to the brand new format won’t have an effect on the 2026-27 MLS schedule.