MLS confirms details for transitional season in 2027 ahead of calendar change

The MLS Sprint Season will feature all 30 teams taking part in 14 regular season fixtures from February to April, facing each conference opponent once, either at home or on the road.

The leading eight sides from the Eastern and Western Conferences will progress to the MLS Cup playoffs, consisting of single elimination encounters right through to the MLS Cup final in May.

This period will establish the entrants for the 2028 CONCACAF Champions Cup along with the 2028 Leagues Cup matches versus teams from Mexico's Liga MX.

It will prepare the ground for the launch of the 2027-28 season in July 2027, which finishes with the 2028 MLS Cup in May 2028.

During the 2027-28 season, MLS intends to include a mid winter interval from mid December until early February, during which no league games will occur in January.

The present February to December 2026 schedule will end with the MLS Cup final on December 18.