United States: MLS to abandon calendar-year season format from 2027-28 to "align with top leagues"

Major League Soccer will "align calendar with top leagues around the world" and abandon the calendar-year season format from 2027-28, announced the MLS following a meeting of the Board of Governors on 13/11/2025.

The change, "one of the most significant developments in the league’s history," will see MLS introduce "a new regular season format that blends elements of the global game with North American sports traditions."

The new MLS calendar will be effective from the 2027-28 season, which will begin in mid-to-late July 2027 and conclude with the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup presented by Audi at the end of May 2028. "Like many other major leagues," MLS will also observe a winter break from mid-December 2027 to early February 2028.

The North American league identifies four benefits to this calendar change:
• "Optimise the global transfer market for players: aligning with global schedules allows MLS clubs to participate more effectively in the world’s primary transfer window, improving opportunities to acquire and sell top talent;
• maximise player signings: with marquee players…