Major League Soccer has decided to alter its schedule, shifting the start of the season to summer and concluding in spring, beginning in 2027. The league’s board of governors approved this change, which will see the MLS season commencing in mid-July and running through April, with playoffs and the championship game taking place in May.
Previously, games commenced in February and playoffs started in mid-October, culminating in the MLS Cup final on Dec. 6. The revised schedule will introduce a winter break from mid-December to early or mid-February, with no matches scheduled for January. Another break will occur in part of June and July to coincide with various international competitions.
Commissioner Don Garber expressed his enthusiasm for this decision, calling it a pivotal moment in the league’s history and highlighting the opportunities it presents for the MLS to elevate its status globally. The 2026 season will adhere to the current winter-winter schedule, with a “transition season” from February to May in 2027, featuring a 14-game regular season, playoffs, and the MLS Cup.
Concerns have been raised regarding the impact on northern teams like Toronto FC and CF Montreal, which play in outdoor stadiums. Despite the schedule shift, Garber assured that 91% of games will still be played within the same timeframe, including cold-weather months. The league plans to consider climate conditions when formulating the new schedule to accommodate teams susceptible to wintry weather or extreme heat.
Toronto FC expressed optimism about collaborating with the MLS to ensure a smooth transition, emphasizing the benefits outweighing the challenges. Vancouver Whitecaps’ CEO Axel Schuster lauded the schedule change as a significant milestone, aligning the league more closely with other major soccer leagues worldwide.
CF Montreal’s president Gabriel Gervais is scheduled to address the changes, while Garber confirmed overwhelming support for the calendar switch, emphasizing the alignment with the FIFA calendar to prevent player absences during critical stages of the season. The shift also aims to facilitate player recruitment during the summer transfer window, enhancing roster availability and overall quality of play in the league.
Looking ahead to the 2027 season, MLS is contemplating further modifications, including potentially transitioning to a single-table format from the current Western and Eastern Conference standings. Garber hinted at ongoing developments to elevate the league’s competition format, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and stakeholder input in this transformative process.