Major League Soccer (MLS) is set to take a seven-week hiatus next summer to accommodate the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This news was shared on Thursday when MLS released its 2026 calendar, which includes the kickoff match on February 21 between Inter Miami and LAFC at the Los Angeles Coliseum, along with the final day of the regular season on November 7.
The 2026 MLS calendar also announces that Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, will open their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, on April 4, hosting Austin FC in their inaugural match. Currently, Inter Miami plays at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
– MLS will adjust its schedule to align with global soccer
The league will pause from May 25 to July 16, allowing time for players to join their national teams for the World Cup. Previously, the MLS has only taken short breaks during World Cups, such as a nine-day hiatus during the 2018 tournament and a two-week break in 2014.
The World Cup is scheduled to commence on June 11, with the opening match taking place in Mexico City.
“With a record number of MLS players anticipated on World Cup rosters, MLS will suspend league play after matches on May 24, in line with FIFA’s mandatory player report date on May 25, and will resume play after the conclusion of the international tournament,” stated the league.
The MLS regular season is set to resume on July 16, just three days prior to the World Cup final, with certain teams engaged in rivalry matches.
Inter Miami and LAFC will start the season, followed by the rest of the teams competing across the country on Sunday, February 22. Each team is scheduled to play 34 matches, comprising 17 at home and 17 away. Similar to previous seasons, clubs will face conference opponents twice a year and participate in six cross-conference matchups.
The regular season will conclude on November 7, designated as Decision Day, with the playoffs commencing on November 18, after the FIFA international window, to ensure no disruptions during the postseason.
“After Decision Day 2026 on November 7, the league will observe the November FIFA window before launching a month of uninterrupted Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs, culminating in the championship match, the 2026 MLS Cup.”
“The complete postseason schedule will be revealed at a later date,” the league announced in its press release.