MLS Adjusts Schedule to Align with International Leagues

Charlotte FC defender Adilson Malanda heads the ball away from New York City FC players during the first half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Eastern Conference playoffs. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Major League Soccer will shift its season schedule beginning in the summer of 2027 to better align with the world’s leading soccer leagues, a move that has been discussed for years and finally won approval by the league’s owners. The new season format will have the league begin plan in mid-to-late July and finish in late May, with a midwinter break from mid-December through early February. No league matches would be scheduled in January. The league’s season has typically started in February with a November finish.

MLS intends to introduce a new regular-season format that blends elements of the global game with North American sports traditions. That will include a review of potential adjustments to its Audi MLS Cup Playoffs format, although final changes have not been determined.
“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.”

Before the change, MLS will stage a transition season from February to May 2027 that will feature a 14-game regular season, playoffs and MLS Cup.

Several Benefits Expected for MLS

The move was seen as important for several reasons, including the ability to align with global schedules to allow MLS clubs to participate more effectively in the world’s primary transfer window, improving opportunities to acquire and sell top talent.

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“Moving to the international calendar is going to be a massive game changer, especially for roster building,” said Will Kuntz, general manager of the LA Galaxy. “It finally allows us to operate in sync with the global transfer market. We’ll be able to sign players when the biggest talent movement happens – in the summer – instead of midseason when integration is difficult.”

The switch also aligns with the FIFA international match calendar, which is expected to reduce conflicts between MLS league matches and national team call-ups for players, particularly during summer tournaments.

The move for the playoffs and MLS Cup to be played in May should also be better timing with better weather for the end of the season, uninterrupted by FIFA international match windows.

The league began evaluating the move in October 2023, taking feedback from owners, club executives, players, the MLSPA, partners and fans. Research revealed strong support for the shift, including 92% of league soccer viewers – defined as those who have watched at least one professional club soccer match during the most recent season – supporting the switch. Fans cited improved player performance, better alignment with international competitions, and a May postseason in supporting the move.
Weather also played a factor when it came to offering a better fan experience. With the schedule now falling over the winter months, the league intends to limit the number of home matches in northern markets during December and February.

The signing of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has helped grow interest in Major League Soccer. The new schedule shift is expected to make it easier for clubs to sign more international players. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Despite the switch, initial projections for the 2027–2028 season conclude that 91% of matches will fall within the current MLS season window.

“I believe the change in our competition calendar has the potential for transformational benefits for MLS in the years to come,” said David Lee, president of soccer operations and general manager of Sporting Kansas City. “While the majority of the footprint of matches will remain the same as the current schedule, moving the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, our most important period of the season, to now take place in a less cluttered domestic sports landscape while also avoiding the playoffs being interrupted by international FIFA windows will be a significant improvement.”

San Diego FC midfielder Anders Dreyer, center, scores a goal as Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller, left, and Jimer Fory defend during the first half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer’s Western Conference playoffs. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

League Builds on Apple TV Deal

In other news, MLS and Apple also announced that beginning in 2026, all league matches will be available to stream for Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost.

Starting next season, fans can watch regular season matches, the annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, the Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and more — with an Apple TV subscription. The standalone MLS Season Pass subscription on the Apple TV app will conclude at the end of the 2025 season as part of the deal