MLS Announces Major Schedule Shift to Summer Format
Major League Soccer (MLS) has voted to change its competition schedule to align with other top leagues starting in the summer of 2027.
Currently, the MLS season runs from February to December, but the transition to a summer-to-spring format represents one of the most significant changes since the league's inception in 1995.
This decision follows a two-year review process, and MLS officials believe that aligning the calendar will enhance the operational efficiency of its clubs during global transfer windows.
"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 that our Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take center stage without interruption. It marks the start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America."
Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States national team, remarked, "This is a great step forward for MLS to be on par with the top leagues in the world. The ability to align with the international calendar will have a huge positive impact for the players, coaches, and clubs."
The schedule change is also aimed at minimizing conflicts with international fixtures and summer tournaments. The end-of-season playoffs will now be held in May, a time when the U.S. domestic sports calendar is less congested and the weather is more favorable.
In addition to the new calendar, league owners have voted to update the regular season format to a single-table competition, with research indicating that 92% of fans support this move. Historically, clubs have been divided into Eastern and Western Conferences.
Plans are also underway for a winter break from mid-December to February, with no league matches scheduled in January. The MLS is currently collaborating with the MLS Players Association to finalize an agreement on a transition plan and will continue to review potential adjustments to its playoff structure.
The league proposes a transition season from February to May 2027, which will feature a 14-game regular season, playoffs, and the MLS Cup. Presently, there are 30 clubs in the MLS, a significant increase from the 10 teams that competed in its inaugural season in 1996.
This current season has highlighted the need for the league to evolve further. While the playoffs are in progress, they are competing for attention with the NFL and U.S. college football seasons. Notably, Son Heung-min, the most high-profile acquisition for an MLS club this season, joined Los Angeles FC partway through the season after leaving Tottenham.
Analysis - 'It Makes Sense to Flip the Season'
The debate surrounding the MLS calendar has persisted for years. The existing structure avoids scheduling games during the harsh winter months, which can be particularly challenging in northern U.S. states and Canada.
However, this arrangement has limited conflicts with major American sports leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, and NHL, with which teams often share venues and compete for television revenue.
The downside is that the league has had to continue during the summer, coinciding with international matches and tournaments. Next year, for instance, both the USA and Canada will host World Cup and MLS matches simultaneously, potentially weakening team performance and diminishing interest in domestic games.
Most MLS teams now have their own soccer-specific stadiums and the league has established a unique presence in the U.S. sports landscape, rendering many of the original reasons for a summer league less relevant.
Moreover, with top U.S. and Canadian players increasingly competing in Europe and events like the expanded Club World Cup—including teams such as Inter Miami, LAFC, and Seattle Sounders—now integrated into the international match calendar, the rationale for maintaining the current schedule is diminishing.