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19h ago

Garber Softens on Promotion/Relegation as MLS Charts Next Phase

Owners have begun formal succession planning ahead of a switch to an August–May calendar in 2027–28.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Panel with FIFA's Wenger, Ellis, & Collina - Audi Field, Washington D.C., District of Columbia, U.S. - December 4, 2025 Don Garber, Commissioner of Major League Soccer, talks during the panel REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Panel with FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger, FIFA's Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis, FIFA's Director of Innovation Johannes Holzmuller and former referee Pierluigi Collina - John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C., District of Columbia, U.S. - December 4, 2025 FIFA's Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis and FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger during the panel REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
Nov 29, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on against New York City FC in the second half during the Eastern Conference Final at Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Overview

  • The commissioner said he would no longer rule out promotion and relegation but emphasized any change would be years or decades away and is not imminent.
  • MLS owners voted to align the league with the global calendar starting in 2027–28, moving from the current February-to-December season.
  • Team owners have initiated a formal succession process for the commissioner role and other senior posts, with Don Garber under contract through 2027 and undecided on his future.
  • Garber called the Vancouver Whitecaps’ stadium and lease situation at B.C. Place untenable, noted no recent progress on improvements, and cautioned that the league may face tough decisions as the club remains for sale.
  • MLS confirmed its broadcasts have been shifted to Apple TV’s main subscription service after a renegotiated deal, replacing the separate MLS Season Pass offering.