Major League Soccer (MLS) has voted to adopt a new calendar for its league, shifting from its current fall-to-spring schedule to one that begins in late summer and concludes in spring. The change, set to take effect in 2027, will see the regular season commence in mid-July, followed by a winter break starting from mid-December.
According to MLS Commissioner Don Garber, this new schedule aligns more closely with top European leagues, providing stronger global competitiveness for teams and creating better opportunities in the transfer market. The switch will also allow the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs to take center stage without interruption, marking the beginning of a "new era" for the league.
The single-table format with five six-team regional divisions is another significant change, maintaining a 34-game regular season while introducing new dynamics among teams. Division winners are guaranteed spots in the postseason based on the overall league table, providing more clarity and consistency.
Critics have long argued that MLS's current schedule has its drawbacks, particularly when it comes to competing with other major sports leagues for players. The NFL, NBA, and NHL all play fall-to-spring, giving them an advantage over MLB, which is relegated to summer. This limited window has hindered the league's efforts to become a serious player in the global transfer market.
Garber acknowledged these concerns, stating that adopting this new schedule will enable MLS teams to attract top talent more effectively and create better opportunities for players to participate in international competitions. Additionally, the revised calendar allows for games featuring the league's most important matches – the regular season finale, playoffs, and the coveted MLS Cup – during periods with less interference from other sports.
The change promises to bring a new level of sophistication to North American soccer, moving it closer to its European counterparts. The revised schedule is set to improve the competitive balance among teams, provide more opportunities for teams to compete against top talent, and ultimately elevate the league's stature in the global football landscape.
According to MLS Commissioner Don Garber, this new schedule aligns more closely with top European leagues, providing stronger global competitiveness for teams and creating better opportunities in the transfer market. The switch will also allow the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs to take center stage without interruption, marking the beginning of a "new era" for the league.
The single-table format with five six-team regional divisions is another significant change, maintaining a 34-game regular season while introducing new dynamics among teams. Division winners are guaranteed spots in the postseason based on the overall league table, providing more clarity and consistency.
Critics have long argued that MLS's current schedule has its drawbacks, particularly when it comes to competing with other major sports leagues for players. The NFL, NBA, and NHL all play fall-to-spring, giving them an advantage over MLB, which is relegated to summer. This limited window has hindered the league's efforts to become a serious player in the global transfer market.
Garber acknowledged these concerns, stating that adopting this new schedule will enable MLS teams to attract top talent more effectively and create better opportunities for players to participate in international competitions. Additionally, the revised calendar allows for games featuring the league's most important matches – the regular season finale, playoffs, and the coveted MLS Cup – during periods with less interference from other sports.
The change promises to bring a new level of sophistication to North American soccer, moving it closer to its European counterparts. The revised schedule is set to improve the competitive balance among teams, provide more opportunities for teams to compete against top talent, and ultimately elevate the league's stature in the global football landscape.
So I'm thinking about this new MLS schedule that's coming in 2027... it seems like a solid move to me 
. I mean, aligning with top European leagues will definitely give us more global competitiveness and attract better talent 
. And I can see how having games during less busy periods would make the playoffs and Cup more exciting 
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. It's gonna be interesting to see how teams interact within their divisions, especially with five six-team groups 
. And having a guaranteed spot in the postseason for division winners? That's some solid consistency 
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. We're moving closer to being on par with European leagues and creating more opportunities for players to shine 
. Bring on 2027! 
I'm kinda hyped about this new MLS calendar thingy! Shiftin from fall-to-spring to summer-to-spring is def a good move, especially since European leagues are already on this vibe 
I mean, who wouldn't wanna play in the US in mid-July when Europe's still chillin'? 
And the single-table format with regional divisions sounds like a fresh twist – love how division winners are guaranteed spots in the postseason too 
. It's all about competitiveness now, and I'm here for it! 
It's gonna be a wild ride, folks! Bring on the summer soccer! 
idk why they dont just keep the fall-to-spring schedule tho... sounds like its all about making us feel special by playing with europe 
... I mean, who wouldn't want to watch live soccer games during the summer when it's still warm outside? It reminds me of playing outdoor soccer with my friends back in high school, no worries about frostbite or anything 
. Seriously though, aligning with top European leagues will definitely bring more credibility to MLS. But I'm a bit sad that the NFL and NBA have had their fall-to-spring schedule for so long... it feels like they're having all the fun 
. I hope this new schedule brings in some fresh talent and makes MLS a real player in the global football scene 
. Can't wait to see how it plays out! 
. This new schedule is a game-changer (pun intended) - more regular season games, winter break, the works! It's gonna be a whole lot easier for teams to compete globally and attract those big-name stars. But let's not forget about the smaller market teams, are they gonna get lost in the shuffle? We need to make sure this new system doesn't leave anyone behind