What's happened
MLS will shift to a summer-to-spring schedule starting in 2027, aligning with European leagues. The league will adopt a single-table format with five divisions, aiming to improve transfer windows and global competitiveness. A transition season will occur in 2027, with full implementation in 2028.
What's behind the headline?
The MLS calendar shift signals a strategic move to enhance the league's global standing and transfer market competitiveness. By aligning with European leagues, MLS aims to attract more international players and facilitate smoother transfers. The switch also aims to maximize player availability for international tournaments like the World Cup, which will be hosted in North America in 2026. However, the change introduces logistical challenges, especially for northern markets prone to cold weather, and may impact traditional fan engagement cycles. The move to a single-table format with five divisions will likely increase competitive balance and regional rivalries, but the playoff structure remains uncertain. Overall, this transition positions MLS for greater international integration but requires careful management of local and logistical issues.
What the papers say
AP News reports that MLS's schedule change aims to improve global competitiveness and transfer market alignment, with the league moving to a summer-to-spring calendar and adopting a single-table format. The league's leadership emphasizes the benefits of aligning with top European leagues, though some clubs express concerns about winter weather impacts. The NY Post highlights the support from clubs like NYCFC, which see the change as an opportunity to grow, especially with the opening of new stadiums in 2027. The Athletic notes ongoing negotiations with the MLS Players Association and the complexity of restructuring the playoff format. Overall, the sources present a consensus on the strategic importance of the change, balanced with logistical considerations.
How we got here
MLS has historically followed a late winter to fall schedule, similar to MLB, which has created conflicts with European transfer windows and international tournaments. The league has debated a calendar shift for years, aiming to align more closely with global standards and improve its international profile. The decision was finalized after years of internal discussions and negotiations with the MLS Players Association, with the new schedule set to start in 2027 after a transition season in 2026.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Major League Soccer is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation which represents the sport's highest level in the United States and Canada.
-
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami (lit. 'Miami International Football Club'), commonly referred to as Inter Miami, is an American professional soccer club based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of
-
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains both Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
-
New York City Football Club are an American professional soccer club based in New York City that competes in Major League Soccer, the highest level of American soccer, as a member of the league's Eastern Conference.
-
Don Garber has served as the Commissioner of Major League Soccer since 1999. Garber is also the CEO of Soccer United Marketing and a member of the United States Soccer Federation board of directors.