The MLS (Major League Soccer, the North American football league) intends to follow the example of the main football leagues in the world and change its calendar from 2027. The championship should be played from summer to spring in the northern hemisphere. In other words, it will begin and end close to the middle of the year.
Since its debut in 1996, MLS has always had its seasons within the same calendar year, operating from spring to autumn. The 2025 MLS season is currently in the playoffs, with the final scheduled for December 6.
The decision on the change was approved this Thursday (13), at a meeting of the MLS Board of Governors, which brought together representatives from all clubs in Palm Beach, Florida. The league will now work with the MLS Players Association to make the change official.
“The calendar change is one of the most important decisions in our history. Aligning our calendar with that of the world’s top leagues will strengthen our clubs’ global competitiveness, create better opportunities in the transfer market and ensure our playoffs are in the spotlight without interruption,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
“This marks the beginning of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America.”
One issue for a calendar that spans winter is the extreme cold and snow that could affect teams like the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United, CF Montreal, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC. Even clubs like Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls and New York City FC could be affected.
To work around winter weather extremes in North America, MLS intends to pause future schedules from mid-December to early February, with no games in January.
