Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami in 2023 significantly enhanced the profile of Major League Soccer.
Major League Soccer has approved a change to its competition schedule, aligning with leading global leagues beginning in the summer of 2027.
The current MLS season runs from February to December, and this shift to a summer-to-spring format represents a pivotal development since the league’s inception in 1995.
This decision follows a comprehensive two-year review, with MLS anticipating that the calendar adjustment will enable its clubs to operate more effectively within global transfer windows.
“The calendar shift is one of the most important decisions in our history,” stated 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 centre stage without interruption.
“It marks the start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America.”
Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States, added: “This is a great step forward for MLS to be on par with the top leagues in the world.
“The ability to align with the international calendar will have a huge positive impact for the players, coaches and clubs.”
The alteration is also intended to minimize conflicts with international fixtures and summer tournaments, with the end-of-season playoffs scheduled for May, a period with less competition from other US domestic sports and more favorable weather conditions.
In addition to the calendar change, league owners voted to adopt a single-table competition format for the regular season, a move supported by 92% of fans according to league research.
Historically, clubs have been divided geographically into Eastern and Western Conferences.
Plans are also in place for a winter break from mid-December to February, with no league matches scheduled during January.
MLS states that it is collaborating with the MLS Players Association to finalize a transition plan and will continue to evaluate potential adjustments to its playoffs.
The league proposes a transition season from February to May 2027, featuring a 14-game regular season, playoffs, and the MLS Cup.
The MLS currently comprises 30 clubs, a significant increase from the 10 teams that competed in the inaugural 1996 season.
This season has highlighted the rationale for the league’s continued evolution.
While the league’s playoffs are currently underway, they face competition for attention from the NFL and US college football seasons.
Furthermore, a major acquisition, such as Son Heung-min, had to join Los Angeles FC mid-season after his departure from Tottenham.
The debate surrounding the MLS calendar has persisted for years.
The existing structure avoids teams playing in the harsh winter conditions, particularly in the northern US states and Canada.
Crucially, it also mitigated clashes with major American sports leagues—the NFL, NBA, and NHL—with whom teams often shared stadiums (in the case of the NFL) and competed for television revenue.
However, a significant drawback is the league’s continuation during the summer, when international matches and tournaments occur—next year, the USA and Canada will host both World Cup and MLS matches, potentially weakening teams and diminishing interest in domestic games.
Most MLS sides now have soccer-specific stadiums, and the competition has carved out its niche in the US sporting landscape, diminishing the primary reasons for a summer league.
Additionally, with top US and Canadian players now competing in Europe and competitions like the expanded Club World Cup—featuring Inter Miami, LAFC, and Seattle Sounders—integrated into the international match calendar, a seasonal shift appears logical.
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