Introducing the 2027 MLS Sprint Season: A Fast-Paced Transition to a New Soccer Calendar
Major League Soccer has unveiled the details of the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, a fast-paced competition that will feature 14 intra-conference regular season games from February to April. This season will serve as a transition for MLS into a new summer-to-spring calendar, aligning the league's schedule with top soccer leagues worldwide. The Sprint Season will culminate in the Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs and the 2027 MLS Cup presented by Audi in May, determining qualification for the 2028 Concacaf Champions Cup and 2028 Leagues Cup based on performance.
Each MLS team will play 14 regular season games, facing each of their 14 conference opponents once - seven matches at home and seven away. The top eight teams from each conference will qualify for the Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs, where a single-elimination bracket format will determine the conference champions. The Eastern and Western Conference champions will then compete in the 2027 MLS Cup presented by Audi.
The 2027 MLS Sprint Season promises high-intensity matches and meaningful competition for fans and players alike. This new format aims to elevate the sport in North America and push clubs like the LA Galaxy to set higher standards on and off the field. The schedule for the Sprint Season, including home and away matchups for each team, will be announced in the upcoming months.
In the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, all teams will play 14 regular-season games against their conference opponents, with eight teams from each conference qualifying for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The season will determine the MLS Cup champion and award five Concacaf Champions Cup berths based on performance. Additionally, 18 teams will qualify for the Leagues Cup, with nine from each conference.
Major League Soccer's new competition calendar will kick off in July 2027, following a summer-to-spring season format that aligns with top international leagues. The regular season will conclude with the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup presented by Audi in May 2028, featuring a midwinter break from mid-December to early February, similar to other major leagues worldwide.