By Anonymous (not verified), February 23, 2026

MLS Kicks Off Season with Record Attendance

Opening weekend showed that MLS is Back – and with historic momentum. An MLS-record 387,271 fans attended matches on Saturday and Sunday, making it the highest attended weekend in league history. With an average of 25,818 fans per match, opening weekend attendance increased five percent over 2025 and 17 percent compared to last year’s regular season average.

The weekend was highlighted by a historic crowd of 75,673 for LAFC vs. Inter Miami CF at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The match set a new MLS opening weekend attendance record, ranked as the highest-attended global soccer match over the weekend, and stands as the second-largest single-game crowd in MLS history.

With the eyes of the soccer world turning to North America in 2026, MLS is demonstrating it’s ready for the world spotlight.

Young Red Bulls Off and Running

The future arrived early for Red Bull New York on opening weekend as teenagers Julian Hall (17), Adri Mehmeti (16), and Matthew Dos Santos (17) look to be the league’s next wave of Homegrown talent under head coach Michael Bradley.

Red Bull New York became the first team in league history to start three players 17 or younger in a match.

MLS NEXT Pro’s Fifth Season Kicks Off Friday

The 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season commences this Friday, February 27, featuring the addition of its 30th club, CT United FC. Led by head coach Shavar Thomas and Sporting Director Denis Hamlett, CT United FC joins Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC as the League’s third independent club. All 30 clubs will take the field during opening weekend, including defending champions Red Bull New York II, under new head coach Dominik Wohlert.

This season will provide opportunities for more players to join the 235+ with MLS NEXT Pro experience that have signed MLS first team contracts – including 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup winner Nehuén Benedetti (RBNY), U.S. U-17 Youth National Team standout Chase Adams (CLB) and 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot winner Jason Shokalook (CHI).

READ: 2026 MLS NEXT PRO SCHEDULE RELEASE | WATCH: 2026 SIZZLE REEL

Orlando City SC look to maintain their home unbeaten record against Inter Miami on Sunday.

Orlando City Holding Steady at Home Against Miami

Going on the road in MLS is never easy, but it’s even more difficult against a rival. That has been clear for Inter Miami CF, which travels to face Orlando City SC on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire, having never won at Inter&Co Stadium.

Quick Hits From Matchday 1

Four MLS debutantes bagged a goal on Matchday 1, with Houston’s newest Designated Player Guilherme the only one to record a brace.
Timbers midfielder Diego Chara became the first player in MLS history to play 16 seasons for one club and also hit 400 career starts for Portland.
Eighteen-year-old Bryan Zamblé found the net in San Diego FC’s 5-0 win, becoming the first Right to Dream graduate to score for the club and he celebrate the milestone accordingly with the home supporters.
LA Galaxy’s new striker João Klauss got off and running on Sunday night with a goal on his club debut after just 86 seconds of action

MLS Grand Opening 2026

The Pitch: Record Crowds and Rising Stars Signal MLS is Back

MLS Kicks Off Season with Record Attendance

Young Red Bulls Off and Running

MLS NEXT Pro’s Fifth Season Kicks Off Friday

Orlando City Holding Steady at Home Against Miami

Quick Hits From Matchday 1