MLS Announces Summer-to-Spring Schedule Change for 2027 Season
Major League Soccer is undergoing a significant calendar change, transitioning to a summer-to-spring schedule starting in 2027. This shift aims to align the league with global football standards and enhance its international reputation. The new schedule will allow MLS to be more competitive in the player transfer market and ensure player availability for national team duties during the summer months. The decision was made at a Board of Governors meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, with the new calendar set to launch in mid-to-late July 2027.
The current MLS season typically starts in late February, with a break for the Club World Cup over the summer and the MLS Cup final in early December. Under the new schedule, the regular season will conclude in April 2028, with playoffs and the championship match taking place in May. A significant winter break is planned, with only a few games in early December before a hiatus in January, resuming in February. The league is working with the Major League Soccer Players Association to finalize this transition.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized the importance of this change, stating that it eliminates competition with other sports leagues during the playoffs and aligns the league with international transfer windows. Despite concerns about weather challenges in the winter months, some northern teams are accustomed to cold and snowy conditions. The league is confident that the benefits of the new schedule outweigh potential challenges related to weather.
The current MLS schedule was designed to avoid clashes with peak seasons of American sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, and NHL. To facilitate the transition to the new schedule, MLS will introduce an abbreviated "sprint" season in 2027, featuring 14 regular season matches per team from February to May. This interim period will determine qualification for the U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup. Additional proposals, including a new playoff format and division structure, are still being considered.
While this calendar change marks a significant shift for MLS, it is not the first time the league has explored such a transition. Previous discussions about adopting a European-style schedule took place in 2013, and there were considerations for a change following the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The league is committed to evolving and improving its structure to enhance its position in the global soccer landscape.