Major League Soccer will adjust its schedule to bring the league’s schedule in line with the best soccer leagues in the world.
Beginning in the summer of 2027, MLS will operate a summer-to-spring season format, the league announced Thursday. The calendar transition and new regular season structure were approved during today’s MLS Board of Governors meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.
The league will also assess potential adjustments to the MLS Cup Playoffs format as part of an ongoing review process, but has not yet finalized any changes. MLS continues to work with the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) to agree on a transition plan.
“The calendar shift is one of the most important decisions in our history,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “Aligning our schedule with the world’s top leagues will strengthen our clubs’ global competitiveness, create better opportunities in the transfer market and ensure our Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take center stage without interruption. It marks the beginning of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America.”
The 2027-2028 MLS regular season will kick off in mid-to-late July 2027 and conclude with the MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup Final in late May 2028. Like many other major international leagues, MLS will observe a mid-winter break from mid-December to early February, with no league games scheduled in January.
Prior to the new calendar change, MLS will host a transitional season from February to May 2027, featuring a 14-game regular season, playoffs and the MLS Cup. The results will determine 2027 qualification for the US Open Cup, Canadian Championship, Leagues Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup.
These changes are part of a two-year review process that began in October 2023. Initial projections for the 2027-2028 season indicate that 91% of matches will fall within the current MLS season.
Another major change to the calendar will significantly reduce conflict between MLS league matches and national team call-ups for players, especially during summer tournaments. Some of last season’s MLS match weekends fell during the international break for many other top leagues.
Additional details about the 2027 transitional season, the 2027-2028 regular season and new league formats will be announced at a later date.
The move to the new format will not impact the 2026-27 MLS schedule.
#MLS #shifts #schedule #starting #SBI #Soccer