MLS Will Align Its Schedule With European Leagues Starting in 2027

- by Olatunji Johnson

The historic calendar shift to a fall-to-spring season aims to make the league more competitive in the global soccer landscape.

Major League Soccer will fundamentally change its schedule to align with Europe’s top leagues, announcing Thursday it will move to a fall-to-spring calendar starting in 2027. The shift ends MLS’s traditional spring-to-fall schedule and will position the MLS Cup playoffs in May, moving them out of direct competition with American football.

The change begins with a shortened season from February to May 2027, followed by the first full aligned season from July 2027 through May 2028. The new schedule includes a winter break from mid-December to early February.

Commissioner Don Garber called the decision “one of the most important in our history,” stating that synchronizing with the global soccer calendar is crucial for the league’s future competitiveness.

The alignment will allow MLS clubs to operate in the primary summer transfer window alongside European clubs and give new signings a proper pre-season to integrate with their teams.

The move received strong support from across American soccer. U.S. men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino said the move positions MLS “on par with the top leagues in the world,” while former U.S. captain Clint Dempsey said sharing the same schedule would keep players “sharper” for international duty.

The league plans to limit outdoor games in northern cities during the coldest winter months, projecting that 91% of matches will occur within similar weather conditions as the current schedule.

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