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MLS Approves Summer-to-Spring Schedule Starting in 2027

The shift aims to align MLS with global transfer windows, reducing clashes with international dates.

Overview

  • Owners approved the change at a Board of Governors meeting in Palm Beach, with a 14-game transition season set for February–May 2027 before the new calendar begins.
  • The first full campaign will run from mid-to-late July 2027 through late May 2028, featuring a midwinter break from mid-December to early February with no league matches in January.
  • The playoffs, including MLS Cup, move to May beginning in 2028, positioning the postseason away from the crowded U.S. fall sports calendar.
  • MLS said it is working with the MLS Players Association on a formal transition plan, while reports indicate a possible shift to a single-table format with five geographic divisions that has not been formally announced.
  • To address cold-weather concerns, the league plans to limit winter home dates in northern markets and projects that about 91% of 2027–28 matches will fall within today’s seasonal footprint.