Initial plans for the bridge to a new era were announced Thursday as MLS shared some of the details for a one-time 14-match "Sprint Season" in 2027.
Instead of a long offseason before MLS switches to a summer-to-spring schedule in 2027-28, to align with top leagues around the world, MLS will conduct a shorter season to maintain competition during the transition.
The abbreviated campaign will kick off Feb. 19 when 2025 MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF plays host to FC Cincinnati. Another 13 matches will be played over the course of the opening weekend. The 2027 season will conclude with the playoffs and MLS Cup in May.
Each of MLS' 30 clubs will play seven matches at home and seven away, facing only opponents from their own conference. The top eight teams from each conference will then qualify for a single-elimination playoff tournament. The Eastern and Western Conference winners will then meet in the 2027 MLS Cup.
The next full MLS season is set to begin in July of 2027 and end in May of 2028.
The 2026 regular season ends Nov. 7 with the current season's MLS Cup scheduled for Dec. 18.
--Field Level Media