As the World Cup prepares to take center stage in the U.S. next summer, Major League Soccer (MLS) announced on Thursday a significant pause in its regular-season schedule lasting more than seven weeks. This unprecedented interruption will shift the championship match to mid-December.
The season is set to begin on February 21—matching this year’s start date—but will pause on May 24, just before FIFA’s mandatory release date for players heading to the World Cup. Play will resume on July 16, three days prior to the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Traditionally, MLS halts its season for up to two weeks during the World Cup, but next season’s extended break accounts for the heightened focus on a tournament occurring across North America, the expected participation of many MLS players, and the five MLS stadiums designated to host matches.
The regular season is scheduled to conclude on November 7—three weeks later than this year—with playoffs commencing on November 18. This later playoff start means MLS will not have to navigate around the FIFA international window in November, resulting in a continuous month of playoff action. While the exact date of the final hasn’t been disclosed, it is likely to be held on December 19 or 20—two weeks later than this year.
These changes were announced just a week after the league revealed plans to align its calendar with major European leagues starting in 2027, transitioning to a schedule that runs from July to May. One of the reasons for this adjustment is to avoid conflicts with significant international tournaments.
Following the 2026 season and before the 2027-28 season, MLS will host a mini-season from February to May 2027, featuring 14 games per team, along with playoffs and the MLS Cup.
Key Highlights of the 2026 MLS Schedule
The opening weekend will feature Los Angeles FC hosting Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami at the 77,500-seat L.A. Memorial Coliseum, adjacent to LAFC’s home venue, BMO Stadium, which has a capacity of 22,000.
Miami will also take on D.C. United on March 7 in Baltimore at the 70,745-seat M&T Bank Stadium. In an effort to maximize ticket revenue and enhance its business presence in Maryland’s largest city, D.C. United relocated its only home match against Miami from the 20,000-capacity Audi Field to M&T Bank Stadium, preferring it over the nearby 64,000-seat Northwest Stadium.
Messi’s team will not debut in its new 25,000-seat stadium, Miami Freedom Park, until April 4 against Austin FC, meaning they will start the season with five consecutive away matches.
Teams will maintain their current format, playing each conference opponent both home and away, plus six inter-conference matches (three at home and three away), totaling 34 games. League officials are contemplating adjustments to the regular-season format starting in the 2027-28 season.
The All-Star Game is slated for July 29 in Charlotte. In addition to full-season coverage on Apple TV, Fox Sports will broadcast 34 games: 15 on its main network and 19 on FS1.