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MLS Unveils 2027 Sprint Season with Playoff Changes

3/20/2026

36 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Major League Soccer (MLS) will launch a 2027 Sprint Season from February to May.
The Sprint Season will feature a 14-game intra-conference schedule with seven home and seven away games.
The top eight teams from each conference will advance to single-elimination playoffs.
After the Sprint Season, MLS will transition to a permanent summer-to-spring schedule starting in July 2027, with a winter break from mid-December to early February.

History

Historical Context

Major League Soccer (MLS) was established in 1993 as part of the U.S. bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup. It began play in 1996 with 10 teams but faced financial struggles, leading to contraction in 2002. By 2027, MLS will shift to a summer-to-spring schedule, enhancing competitiveness and aligning with global soccer practices, reflecting its growth to 30 teams and an average attendance exceeding 20,000.

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Story summary

Major League Soccer (MLS) will launch a 2027 Sprint Season from February to May.
The Sprint Season will feature a 14-game intra-conference schedule with seven home and seven away games.
The top eight teams from each conference will advance to single-elimination playoffs.
After the Sprint Season, MLS will transition to a permanent summer-to-spring schedule starting in July 2027, with a winter break from mid-December to early February.

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