Fundamental change in Major League Soccer: The US league wants to align its schedule with the top European leagues in the future, as was announced on Thursday.
According to the announcement, starting in the 2027/28 season, the season will always begin in mid- or late July and end in May with the playoff finals. The current season began in February 2025, and the MLS Cup playoff finals will take place on December 6, 2025.
Fewer problems with transfers and loan players?
After the upcoming 2026 season, which will still be played in the old format, there will be a transition in 2027: The shortened 2027 season will begin in February 2027. After 14 games in the regular season and the playoffs, the champion will be crowned just three months later in May, before the first season in the new format begins in July 2027. As in many European leagues, there will also be a winter break in the future, lasting from mid-December to early February.
As Don Garber indicated, the league hopes that the alignment will improve its chances on the market, particularly in terms of player transfers. In addition, synchronisation with the FIFA calendar should also make it easier to avoid conflicts regarding international call-ups, according to the MLS commissioner.
“One of the most important decisions in MLS history”
“The change to our schedule is one of the most important decisions in MLS history,” Garber said in a statement from the US league about the change. “Aligning our schedule with the world’s major leagues will strengthen the global competitiveness of our clubs, create better opportunities in the transfer market, and ensure that our playoffs remain the center of attention without interruption,” the MLS boss continued.
