2027 Major League Soccer season
 | |
| Season | 2027 |
|---|---|
| Dates |
|
| Teams | 30 |
← 2026 2027–28 →
All statistics correct as of April 28, 2026. | |
The 2027 Major League Soccer season is the upcoming 32nd season of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is also the 49th overall season of a national first-division men's soccer league in the United States overseen by the United States Soccer Federation. The league has 30 clubs that are divided into the Eastern and Western conferences, each with 15 teams.
In anticipation of the schedule-flipped 2027–28 Major League Soccer season, the 2027 MLS season will use an abbreviated schedule, where teams only play fourteen matches each, and only against intra-conference opponents.
All MLS matches during the regular season and playoffs are planned to be broadcast on Apple TV, an online streaming service operated by Apple Inc.[1]
Background
When MLS began play in 1996, they elected to follow a spring–fall schedule to avoid conflicts with the National Football League (NFL); in 1996, every MLS team played in NFL stadiums.[2][a] In late 2025, MLS owners voted to shift the MLS calendar away from the schedule they had adopted since the league began in 1996 to a summer–spring calendar to align with the top European soccer leagues.[3][4] The shift was made to help MLS teams align with global transfer windows, avoid international breaks, and hold playoffs without calendar interruptions.[4] MLS started surveying fans and owners in 2024 to gauge interest in the calendar shift, and on a vote by MLS ownership on November 13, 2025, they officially approved the calendar change.[4]
Format
On March 19, 2026, MLS announced that the 2027 season would be a shortened "sprint" league from February to May 2027.[5] During the shortened season, each team will play fourteen regular season games, down from the usual thirty-four, culminating in the 2027 MLS Cup playoffs and MLS Cup in May. Teams will play only other teams within their own conference, splitting those matches with each team playing seven games at home and seven away.[5] The top eight teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs.[5] Results from the regular season, playoffs and MLS Cup will determine qualification for the 2028 U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup.[4]
Teams
Stadiums and locations
In February 2026, New York City FC announced that the official opening of Etihad Park would be delayed until the 2027–28 season in the wake of MLS's decision to switch to a fall-to-spring schedule, clarifying that the club would continue play at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field during the shortened 2027 season.[6]
- ^ Non-soccer specific stadium and artificially reduced capacity. Capacity may be increased to full capacity if demand requires.
Coaching changes
| Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming coach | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin FC |  Davy Arnaud (interim) |
End of interim period | End of 2026 MLS season | Pre-season | Jim Curtin |
Beginning of 2027 MLS season[8] |
Notes
References
- ↑ Rizzo, Lillian (November 13, 2025). "MLS games head to Apple TV in 2026 as Season Pass subscription ends". CNBC. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- 1 2 Baxter, Kevin (November 13, 2025). "MLS makes dramatic calendar and format changes that align with other pro leagues". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- ↑ Sutcliffe, Steve (November 13, 2025). "MLS calendar to change in 2027 to align with top leagues". BBC Sport. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Leahy, Sean (November 13, 2026). "MLS owners vote in favor of summer-to-spring league calendar beginning with 2027 season". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "2027 MLS Sprint Season to Launch Major League Soccer's Transition into New Era". Major League Soccer. March 19, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
- ↑ "NYCFC to delay opening of Etihad Park until summer of 2027". ESPN. Associated Press. February 18, 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ↑ Spanberg, Erik (February 11, 2022). "Charlotte FC moving closer to sellout for season opener at Bank of America Stadium". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ↑ "Austin FC Announces Jim Curtin Will Become Club's Head Coach Following the 2026 Season". June 8, 2026. Retrieved June 9, 2026.