MLS to align calendar with top leagues around the world

Major League Soccer has announced a shift in its competition calendar, aligning the league’s schedule with the world’s top soccer leagues.

Beginning in the summer of 2027, MLS will adopt a summer-to-spring season format, marking one of the most significant developments in the league’s history. MLS is continuing to work with the MLS Players Association to finalize agreement on a transition plan.

In conjunction with this transition, MLS will introduce a new regular season format that blends elements of the global game with North American sports traditions. The league will also review potential adjustments to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs format as part of an ongoing evaluation process, but has not yet finalized any changes.

The calendar transition and the new regular season structure were approved during Thursday's MLS Board of Governors meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.

"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 start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America."

2027-28 season structure

The 2027-28 MLS regular season will begin in mid-to-late July 2027 and conclude with the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup presented by Audi in late May 2028.

Like other major international leagues, MLS will observe a midwinter break from mid-December through early February, with no league matches scheduled in January.

Before the calendar change, MLS will stage a transition season from February to May 2027, featuring a 14-game regular season, playoffs, and MLS Cup. Those results will determine 2027 qualification for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship, Leagues Cup, and Concacaf Champions Cup.