The Major League Soccer board of governors has approved a move to a summer-to-spring regular season format beginning in 2027 to align with the global soccer calendar.
According to a report from ESPN, MLS will shift its regular season to start in mid-July and end in the spring, with the 2027 season serving as a transitional, shortened campaign from February to May. The change aims to align MLS with international transfer windows, aiding global competitiveness, and ensure the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take centre stage without interruption.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber described the decision as “one of the most important decisions in our history… Aligning our schedule with the world’s top leagues will strengthen our clubs’ global competitiveness.” The league also intends to institute a winter break running from mid-December to early or mid-February.
More than 90 % of games are expected to remain at the current venues. Support has also been voiced by Gianni Infantino of FIFA, who called the calendar adjustment “an important and timely step forward for Major League Soccer… By aligning with the International Match Calendar, MLS is positioning itself for a new era of both domestic and global growth.”
While the board approved the switch, discussions with the Major League Soccer Players Association are ongoing — the union has flagged concerns over the length of the off-season and unspecified hard dates for the transition.