Major League Soccer will look different beginning with the 2027 season after the its board of governors voted on Thursday to approve changes to the league’s calendar and format. The league will move away from the spring-to-fall season calendar that has been used since its inaugural season in 1996 to a fall-to-spring schedule in order to align with Europe’s top leagues. The regular-season structure will change to a single-table with five, six-team divisions organized by region.
“The calendar shift is one of the most important decisions in our history,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “Aligning our schedule with the world’s top leagues will strengthen our clubs’ global competitiveness, create better opportunities in the transfer market, and ensure our Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take center stage without interruption. It marks the start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America.”
These changes had been discussed as recently as April, but during an April meeting no vote was held. Instead, the owners “authorized a second phase of exploration” into adjusting the calendar and format, with MLS announcing any such changes would not begin until the 2027 season “at the earliest.”
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The “second phase of exploration” followed more than a year of research and meetings. League and club officials debated overhauling the calendar to align MLS seasons with the fall-to-spring cadence that dictates most of global soccer. Many saw 2026 — when the men’s World Cup comes to North America — as a “perfect” opportunity to make the leap.
But the goal of implementing such change for 2026 was premature, as it would have had dramatic effects on the league’s business side involving sponsorships and ticket sales.
The calendar
Beginning in 2027, the MLS regular season will run from July through April with the postseason taking place in May. There will be a winter break in December and January with the second part of the regular-season schedule beginning in February, likely after the Super Bowl. Another break will commence in June and July so as to not interfere with international competitions such as the World Cup, Euros, Gold Cup and Copa América, among others.
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In preparation for the new season calendar, MLS will hold a “sprint season” from mid-February to May 2027, which will likely feature 14 games per team.
The calendar change will help MLS clubs when the international transfer window opens. Instead of the summer window opening in the middle of the MLS season, it will now be the league’s offseason, allowing teams to better build a roster for the following season. It would also allow for better pursuit of free agents.
MLS will see big changes to the league’s schedule and format when the 2027 season begins. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
(Minas Panagiotakis via Getty Images)
“I think the price you pay in a different transfer window, it’s a lot more challenging in the winter where it doesn’t align with the European calendar,” said FC Cincinnati manager Pat Noonan in January. “So I think if those align, it becomes easier as far as the recruitment process and how you can go about getting top players without overextending [in transfer fees] as far as what you’re paying.”
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As far as climate conditions in colder markets, MLS executive Nelson Rodriguez told The Athletic that warmer markets will see more games in December and February with northern markets getting more games during the summer.
The format
MLS currently operates with two conferences — Eastern and Western. The league will move to one big table with five divisions featuring teams made up of geographical rivals.
While not finalized, teams will reportedly play home and away against their division rivals and then once against the remaining MLS clubs for a 34-game schedule. Division winners will be guaranteed a playoff spot.
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Changes to the playoff format are still being discussed. Currently, 18 teams make the MLS Cup playoffs — nine from each conference. The No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in each conference play in a one-game wild-card match with winners advancing to a best-of-3 first-round series. The remaining playoffs rounds — conference semifinals, conference finals and MLS Cup final — are all winner-take-all one-game matches.
MLS removing ‘Season Pass’ paywall on Apple TV
If you own an Apple TV subscription, you will also have access to every MLS game going forward, according to Paul Tenorio of The Athletic.
MLS is doing away with its Season Pass beginning with the 2026 season with every game available through the Apple TV streaming service for $12.99 per month or $99 for the year. Subscriptions will also include every Leagues Cup match, the MLS All-Star Game, Campeones Cup and MLS Cup Playoffs.
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“MLS Season Pass” was priced at $14.99 per month or $99 for the season and did not require an Apple TV subscription.
This decision come on the heels of MLS announcing that it was removing the paywall for the playoffs for Apple TV subscribers.
Formula 1 will join MLS on Apple’s platform after signing a five-year deal that will begin in 2026.
MLS announced a 10-year partnership with Apple in 2023.
