MLS announced that the league will explore the transition to its schedule, which would be in line with the international football calendar already in 2027, as well as possible changes in the regular season and play -off format
“Major League Soccer’s Board of Governors today allowed the second phase of survey to a potential transfer to the international football calendar along with the ongoing evaluation of the regular season and Play -OFF,” he read the League statement on Thursday.
“Any potential changes would not be effective until the 2027 season. This next phase will include additional consultations with key stakeholders and the development of a comprehensive transition plan.”
Unlike most other leagues around the world, MLS currently has a winter schedule. In 2025, the regular season began in February and will end in October before the Play -off MLS Cup.
In December, the MLS Commissioner Don Garber said that the Mullang League alignment of the league calendar to match the European.
In an interview with reporters at his annual address of the Garber League, the League indicated that the League had previously considered a change in the league calendar to the autumn/spring format in 2004-05 and in 2014–2015.
At that time, he said that there was more momentum around possible changes – potentially as soon as the 2026 season – but that there was a lot of work between the league participating parties.
“I think we’re thinking more than ever before this opportunity to change, but it’s not something we’re ready to talk about right now,” Garber said. “The schedule becomes more overcrowded. For years, especially in June, it was most international tournaments.
Consecration with an international football calendar could also help increase the role of MLS on the global transmission market, dominated by the main movements in the summer, around the middle of the MLS season.
One of the prominent arguments against the change is the weather concerns for cities in North America.
