MLS Owners Voted to Flip Schedule to Align With Top Leagues Around The World in 2027

First news hits about the MLS Season Pass becoming obsolete and games will now just be available on Apple TV. Now the vote is in and the Major League Soccer format is getting a refresh. On Thursday, MLS owners officially voted to flip the calendar schedule to align with top leagues around the world beginning in 2027.

The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio was all over this format change. Tenorio reported,

“BREAKING: MLS owners officially voted to flip to a “summer-spring” format beginning in mid-July and running through the end of May. Also voted on the regular season format.

MLS will take a break from mid-December through early to mid-February, as reported yesterday. Will likely see more games in warmer markets in December/Feb, and conversely more in northern markets in July-August. But never more than 3 in row for a team at home/away.

MLS notes 91% of footprint (including playoffs) remains the same. Early season up against football rather than late-season and playoffs, which moves to more desirable spring. Mid-July start gives few more weeks of summer play vs. mid-Aug start in Europe.”

That leaves one question. What Major League Soccer will do between the 2026 playoffs and the start of the 2027 season? Sources revealed that a “sprint season” will be played. A 14 game regular season, playoffs and MLS Cup.

Tenorio also confirms the abbreviated season. He says, “[Yes]… They will run a shorter “sprint season.” It will be a 14-game regular season from Feb-April, followed by playoffs and MLS Cup in May.”

MLS Commissioner Don Garber strongly believes the schedule change will result in a positive outcome. And lead to greater success. Garber says,

“The calendar shift is one of the most important decisions in our history.

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 center stage without interruption. It marks the start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America.”

MLS Owners Voted to Flip Schedule to Align With Top Leagues Around The World in 2027

The official Major League Soccer website released a statement about the vote and the changes that will soon follow. The MLS states,

“Beginning in the summer of 2027, MLS will adopt a summer-to-spring season format, marking one of the most significant developments in the league’s history. MLS is continuing to work with the MLS Players Association to finalize agreement on a transition plan.

In conjunction with this transition, MLS will introduce a new regular season format that blends elements of the global game with North American sports traditions. The league will also review potential adjustments to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs format as part of an ongoing evaluation process, but has not yet finalized any changes.

The calendar transition and the new regular season structure were approved during Thursday’s MLS Board of Governors meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.”

These developments are truly exciting. And will help to ensure that fans can literally enjoy sports all year long. And not have to miss any of the action in the process due to conflicts. Bravo to MLS.

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