Major League Soccer (MLS) is set to shake up its schedule with a calendar change, adopting a fall-to-spring format starting from 2027. The decision was made by the MLS board of governors during a meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, where Commissioner Don Garber announced that the league would begin its season in mid-July, take a winter break starting in December, and resume games in late February or early March.
This move is aimed at aligning the league's schedule more closely with European leagues, which typically start their seasons in July. The change will strengthen teams' global competitiveness, create better opportunities for player transfers, and ensure that the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take center stage without interruption.
The new format will feature a single table, with 30 teams competing against each other in a regional division structure. This is a departure from the current Western and Eastern conferences system. The single table will be divided into five six-team divisions, with teams playing each other twice at home and away, and every other team once.
Qualification for the playoffs will be based on the overall league table, with division winners guaranteed a spot in the postseason. This change aims to eliminate the current schedule's drawbacks, which included limited transfer business during the European offseason and difficulty selling players abroad or attracting top talent due to the timing of the summer season.
The new calendar also positions the most important games – the end of the regular season, playoffs, and MLS Cup – during a period with less interference from other sports leagues. This will enable MLS to capitalize on more attractive weather for its flagship event, which will likely take place in May instead of late November or December.
While there are concerns about how this change will impact teams' preseasons and player availability, Commissioner Garber emphasizes that the new schedule is a major step forward for the league, positioning it as a competitive force alongside top European leagues.
This move is aimed at aligning the league's schedule more closely with European leagues, which typically start their seasons in July. The change will strengthen teams' global competitiveness, create better opportunities for player transfers, and ensure that the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take center stage without interruption.
The new format will feature a single table, with 30 teams competing against each other in a regional division structure. This is a departure from the current Western and Eastern conferences system. The single table will be divided into five six-team divisions, with teams playing each other twice at home and away, and every other team once.
Qualification for the playoffs will be based on the overall league table, with division winners guaranteed a spot in the postseason. This change aims to eliminate the current schedule's drawbacks, which included limited transfer business during the European offseason and difficulty selling players abroad or attracting top talent due to the timing of the summer season.
The new calendar also positions the most important games – the end of the regular season, playoffs, and MLS Cup – during a period with less interference from other sports leagues. This will enable MLS to capitalize on more attractive weather for its flagship event, which will likely take place in May instead of late November or December.
While there are concerns about how this change will impact teams' preseasons and player availability, Commissioner Garber emphasizes that the new schedule is a major step forward for the league, positioning it as a competitive force alongside top European leagues.
like, we're already looking forward to those summer vibes... and now, teams get an extra winter break, woooo! 
i'm also low-key excited about the single table format - it's gonna be so cool to see all 30 teams compete against each other. and, omg, no more worrying about transfer business during the European offseason? 
that's a major win for the league! and, let's be real, who doesn't love playing in May? 
the weather is just gonna be fire for the MLS Cup... this change is gonna take the league to the next level, for sure! 
the fall-to-spring format sounds like a recipe for disaster, teams are gonna be all tired and gassed when playoffs come around... what's the point of even having a preseason if it's just gonna get ruined by a weird schedule 
. and what about preseasons? how are they gonna fit everything into that crazy schedule? it just seems like another way for the league to pad their already bloated calendar 
...
. Plus, it's always been a bit frustrating having to navigate around other sports leagues' schedules 
. The new single-table division system also seems like a smart move, as it'll eliminate some of the current schedule's quirks 
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. With teams playing games more frequently, there's always going to be some level of fatigue or injury risk 
. And what happens if the winter break isn't long enough for players to fully recover? 
That being said, I'm hopeful that the MLS board has thought this through and is making a well-informed decision 
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. It'll be interesting to see how this format plays out in practice! 
... like, can't we just chill and play some soccer in the fall? 
I'm low-key hyped about this new format tho, a single table is gonna make it way more interesting to watch. I mean, no more random playoffs that don't even make sense 
. Less chance of players getting poached during the "transfer window" 
on the big stage 
meanwhile, teams need to figure out how to handle preseasons and player availability 
the goal is to be more competitive globally, and i'm here for it 
I mean i get it they wanna align with them European seasons but come on we got some sick teams here in the US already, we don't need a bunch of extra travel to "compete" 
. Less interference from other sports leagues will definitely make for some more awesome games... and who wouldn't want to watch an MLS Cup in May instead of freezing their bums off in November? 
️ I mean, it's not like they were doing anything right before 
! A fall-to-spring format starting from 2027 sounds like a total game-changer 
It's awesome that they're trying to align with European leagues and create more opportunities for players to transfer and compete globally 
. And I love how they're making the playoffs the main event by having division winners guaranteed a spot 
️. Bring on the summer soccer! 
. It's like, one minute they're saying we need more breaks for player recovery, and the next they're shuffling the calendar around like it's nobody's business 
.
. One table, five divisions, who even knows what's going on anymore? 
and who's gonna take care of the preseasons?! teams gotta prepare for games in late feb/early march already, it's gonna be chaotic 
It's gonna be sick to see the teams battling it out in a regional division structure, and those playoff games are gonna be EPIC 
. And, tbh, having the MLS Cup in May is gonna be AMAZING 
. Can't wait to see how it all plays out in 2027 
So the soccer league is gonna start in July instead of March? That's a big change 
? And won't this change mess up international friendlies and all that? 
.