Major League Soccer (MLS)

Major League Soccer (MLS) has confirmed a landmark shift to a summer-to-spring calendar starting in summer 2027, aligning with global top leagues. The board of governors unanimously approved the change on Thursday, November 13, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the league’s history since its 1996 inception.

The 2027-28 season will begin in mid-July 2027 and conclude with Decision Day in April 2028, followed by the MLS Cup playoffs in May 2028. A shortened sprint season in early 2027—a 14-game regular season from mid-February to May with playoffs and an MLS Cup in May—will bridge the transition, determining spots for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup.

The reform tackles issues like misalignment with FIFA’s international calendar and European transfer windows, which have hindered MLS clubs in the market. “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,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber. A midwinter break from mid-December to early February will avoid harsh weather for northern teams like Toronto FC or Minnesota United.

The league will adopt a single-table format with five six-team divisions to boost parity post-2026 FIFA World Cup, with 91% of matches still within the current season window. MLS is working with the MLS Players Association on details like salary structures and transfer windows by 2027.

This shift positions North American soccer for growth, syncing with FIFA Club World Cup demands and elevating MLS globally. U.S. Men’s National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino said: “This is a great step forward for MLS to be on par with the top leagues in the world.”