Is American Professional Soccer Keeping Up?

On Thursday, Major League Soccer announced a significant change: starting in the summer of 2027, they will align their schedule with that of the world’s leading leagues.

This shift means MLS will run from August to May, culminating in championship matches during May. Along with the adjustment to the calendar, there’s potential for modifications to the playoff format, which seems to undergo changes almost every year.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber described this decision as “one of the most important in our history,” especially since the league has stuck with a winter-to-winter format since its launch post the 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

Garber emphasized that syncing the MLS schedule with top leagues globally will enhance overall competitiveness. It will also provide better opportunities in the transfer market and ensure that the Audi MLS Cup playoffs can take center stage without interruptions. This, he said, marks the start of a new era for the league and soccer in North America.

Essentially, Garber pointed out, aligning schedules makes it easier for clubs to recruit players who are available to play from leagues worldwide. The winter transfer window has posed challenges for MLS teams since they struggle to bring in players when they’re not engaged in competitive matches.

Moreover, this change may help ease some of FIFA’s international calendar constraints, meaning MLS won’t frequently pause for players to participate in international competitions, which could last up to two weeks.

Garber also shared insights from MLS regarding upcoming changes to the league’s competitive calendar. He mentioned that owners agreed this is one of the best leagues globally, and this decision is particularly crucial for northern teams that face extreme winter conditions. Yet, while he referenced the potential month-long break, he also acknowledged that southern teams must contend with intense heat during late summer months throughout the league’s nearly three-decade history.

Furthermore, following the MLS Board of Directors meeting, Garber announced that starting in 2026, all MLS games will be streamed on Apple TV. This means fans won’t need to navigate between the MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+ to watch games.

Garber noted that there has been a 30% increase in ratings this season with Apple’s current model, emphasizing that “Apple is very focused on the consumer experience.”