MLS adopts summer-to-spring schedule from 2027
Major League Soccer has voted to shift its competition calendar, adopting a summer-to-spring format beginning in the 2027 season. The move, intended to align MLS with other leading leagues around the world, will compress and reorganize the annual schedule, impacting players, teams, fans, and broadcasters alike.
The decision comes after extensive consultation with clubs, players’ unions, sponsors, and broadcast partners. Proponents argue that a summer-to-spring calendar will bring MLS in line with top European leagues and fixtures, potentially improving off-season conditioning, transfer windows, and international player availability.
What changes are planned for 2027?
Under the new format, the MLS season will begin in the summer and conclude in the following spring, instead of the current February-to-December window. This shift means several practical changes for match scheduling, preseason planning, and international competition eligibility. Clubs will coordinate with national teams to manage player workload during international windows, with the goal of reducing conflicts and fatigue during peak parts of the season.
Preseason activities are expected to begin earlier in the year, allowing teams to integrate new signings and develop tactical schemes ahead of the primary competition window. The league is exploring a phased transition to minimize disruption for players on loan, academies, and Reserve teams, as well as for supporters who attend games across the season’s domestic calendar.
Why align with top leagues?
One of the central motivations behind the calendar change is to harmonize MLS with the schedules of major leagues in Europe and elsewhere. A synchronized calendar can improve competitive integrity by aligning transfer windows, allowing MLS clubs to pursue international players without conflicting with domestic leagues’ timelines.
Broadcast partners and sponsors anticipate benefits from a longer stretch of summer football, a potentially stronger market for attendance, hospitality, and digital engagement. The league also hopes that a more consistent off-season for clubs will assist players in restoration and readiness for the demands of a longer competitive window.
Impact on players, teams, and fans
Players may experience a different rhythm of training camps and peak performance periods. Teams will need to carefully manage fitness, injury risk, and international call-ups within the new calendar, especially during peak periods that overlap with global tournaments. Youth academies and development pipelines could gain more predictable windows for player progression, while loan systems may be adjusted to fit the summer-to-spring schedule.
For fans, the schedule shift could affect ticketing patterns, travel plans, and local rivalries that have historically been anchored to the current February-to-December season. Clubs and the league have promised robust communication and flexible ticketing options to ease transition for supporters who attend matches regularly.
What’s next for MLS
MLS will release detailed timelines, milestones, and operational guidelines as the 2027 transition approaches. Clubs will work with the league to finalize dates for preseason camps, the start of the regular season, and the structure of competition formats such as playoffs or cup competitions within the new calendar.
The 2027 season will mark a significant evolution for MLS as it seeks to maximize player development, global competitiveness, and commercial growth while maintaining the league’s unique identity in a rapidly evolving soccer landscape.
