LOS ANGELES -- Major League Soccer will shift to an international summer-to-spring schedule in 2027, a move designed to align its calendar with the world's top soccer leagues.
The shift, approved by the league's Board of Governors, means the regular season will kick off in mid-to-late July and conclude with the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup in late May. The new schedule includes a midwinter break from mid-December through early February.
A new calendar for a global league.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 13, 2025
Beginning in 2027, Major League Soccer will adopt a summer-to-spring season format — a historic evolution in the league’s competition calendar.
Details: https://t.co/YOlzd4oGDB pic.twitter.com/JYzdkKX01o
MLS Commissioner Don Garber called the shift to a summer-to-spring calendar "one of the most important decisions in our history."
The league states the new calendar will also reduce conflicts with FIFA international windows and position the MLS Cup Playoffs in a less crowded spot on the sports calendar.
Another key driver for the change is optimizing the global player transfer market, a point emphasized by LA Galaxy GM Will Kuntz.
“Moving to the international calendar is going to be a massive game changer, especially for roster building,” Kuntz said. “It finally allows us to operate in sync with the global transfer market. We’ll be able to sign players when the biggest talent movement happens – in the summer – instead of midseason when integration is difficult.”
Today marks a historic step for @MLS — one of the most important moments in our league’s history.
— Don Garber (@thesoccerdon) November 13, 2025
A new era begins in 2027.
MLS will adopt a summer-to-spring calendar, aligning with the global game, reducing FIFA conflicts, opening new transfer opportunities, and moving our… pic.twitter.com/89kCQsbQUX
Currently, MLS has its season played from February to November, opposite of most leagues abroad.
To facilitate the change, MLS will stage a unique transition season at the start of 2027.
This shortened season, running from February to May 2027, will feature a 14-game regular season, a full playoff, and will crown an MLS Cup champion. The results will determine qualification for all other domestic and international cup competitions.