Major League Soccer (MLS) is set to implement a sweeping overhaul of its scheduling format in 2027, transitioning to a summer-to-spring season. This significant move aligns MLS with the global soccer calendar, reflecting the scheduling practices of leading European leagues. The announcement was made during a Board of Governors meeting in Palm Beach, where Commissioner Don Garber highlighted the importance of this change.
Garber noted, “There was overwhelming support for this move,” although he chose not to disclose the specifics of the Board’s vote, indicating that the strong consensus was enough to proceed.
Under the new format, MLS will shift from its current February-to-November calendar to a season that kicks off in July and concludes in May 2028. This revamped schedule includes a winter break from mid-December to early February, with no matches scheduled in January. This adjustment is designed to facilitate breaks for FIFA international windows and create better alignment with global transfer markets.
“This calendar shift marks a pivotal moment in our league’s history,” Garber stated in a press release. “Aligning our season with the elite soccer leagues worldwide enhances our teams’ global competitiveness, opens up opportunities in the transfer market, and ensures that our Audi MLS Cup Playoffs receive the spotlight they deserve. It signals the dawn of a new era for soccer in North America.”
The current MLS model creates challenges during transfer windows, particularly when the winter transfer period overlaps with the preseason. Under the new arrangement, the league will feature a truncated 14-game regular season in 2027, aimed at determining placements for tournaments like the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship, and Concacaf Champions Cup. Meanwhile, the 2026 season will proceed as scheduled.
When questioned about the potential transition to a single-table competitive structure with the new calendar roll out in July 2027, Garber remained noncommittal, stating that the league wasn’t ready to discuss such changes just yet.
MLS is not alone in making such changes; Japan’s J-League is also planning a similar adjustment for the 2026-27 season, demonstrating a wider trend in the global soccer landscape. The planned winter break aims to mitigate the adverse impacts of harsh winter conditions that can affect match quality, while the league continues to navigate challenges posed by summer temperatures.
This transformation enables clubs to retain their top players during critical matches, a necessity as MLS garners international attention and talent from stars such as Lionel Messi and Heung-min Son. The alignment with FIFA international windows will eliminate previous disadvantages associated with player unavailability due to national team commitments. The decision to revise the schedule has been in the works for two years, taking into account feedback from owners, executives, players, and various stakeholders.
Garber further emphasized that the MLS has been collaborating closely with the MLS Players Association throughout this process; however, a definitive transition plan is still pending approval. Other modifications to the regular season and playoff formats might also be on the horizon, yet those details remain to be finalized.
