Starting in July 2027, MLS seasons will run from summer to spring instead of spring to fall. It’s the biggest change to the league’s schedule since it launched, and it brings MLS in line with most of the world’s top leagues.
The short version
- The 2027-28 season starts in mid-to-late July 2027
- A winter break runs from mid-December to early February, with no league matches in January
- The regular season, playoffs and MLS Cup finish in late May 2028
- A one-time Sprint Season (February to May 2027) bridges the gap
The timeline
| Period | What happens |
|---|---|
| Through December 2026 | Last season on the old February-to-December calendar |
| February to May 2027 | 14-match Sprint Season, playoffs and MLS Cup |
| Mid-to-late July 2027 | 2027-28 season begins |
| Mid-December 2027 to early February 2028 | Winter break |
| Late May 2028 | 2027-28 MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup |
Why MLS is switching
- Transfer windows: MLS will line up with the summer and winter windows used in Europe, making it easier to buy and sell players.
- Fewer clashes with international breaks: the league says the new calendar works better around FIFA windows.
- Avoiding the NFL: MLS Cup moves out of December, away from the peak of football season.
MLS also points out that most 2027-28 matches will still fall in the months the league already plays. The big change is the break in January and a season finale in May instead of December.
What it means for Inter Miami and NYCFC fans
- NYCFC: the club opens Etihad Park in Queens on July 17, 2027, the start of the first new-calendar season. See our NYCFC guide.
- Inter Miami: the first full new-calendar season at Nu Stadium means summer and fall home matches in South Florida heat, with the winter months off. See our Inter Miami guide.
- Watching: nothing changes. Every match stays on Apple TV.
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Header photo: Aude, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons