2027 MLS Sprint Season to Launch Major League Soccer’s Transition into New Era
Fast-paced, high-stakes competition will see MLS teams compete in 14 intra-conference regular season games from February to April
2027 MLS Sprint Season to culminate in Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup presented by Audi in May
2028 Concacaf Champions Cup and 2028 Leagues Cup qualification to be determined by Sprint Season performance
NEW YORK – March 19, 2026 – Major League Soccer today announced details of the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, the MLS season that will launch Major League Soccer’s transition into its new summer-to-spring calendar, as the league aligns its schedule with the world’s top soccer leagues.
The fast-paced, high-stakes campaign will kick off in February and culminate in the Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs and 2027 MLS Cup presented by Audi in May. Not only will the Sprint Season crown an MLS Cup champion, but it will also have international competition implications, determining qualification for the 2028 Concacaf Champions Cup and 2028 Leagues Cup.
The Sprint Season will see each MLS team play 14 regular season games from February to April. Regular season matches will consist of intra-conference play with teams facing each of their 14 conference opponents once - seven matches at home and seven matches away.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams in each of the two conferences will qualify for the Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs. In each conference, the postseason will be played in a single-elimination bracket format to determine a conference champion. The Eastern Conference Champion and Western Conference Champion will meet in 2027 MLS Cup presented by Audi.
The 2027 Sprint Season schedule, including each team’s home and away matchups, will be announced in the coming months.
2027 MLS Sprint Season – By the Numbers
All teams will play 14 regular-season games.
Each team will play its 14 conference opponents one time.
All teams will play seven home games and seven away games in the regular season.
The top eight teams from the Eastern Conference and the top eight teams from the Western Conference will qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
One team will be crowned MLS Cup champion.
Five Concacaf Champions Cup berths will be determined by 2027 MLS Sprint Season results.
18 teams will qualify for Leagues Cup, nine from each conference.
2027 MLS Sprint Season – Venue Information
As previously announced, New York City FC will play home matches during the 2027 MLS Sprint Season at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field. Etihad Park, New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium and the future home of the Club, will open with the beginning of the 2027-28 MLS season.
As communicated during “Your First March to Etihad Park” renewal period last April, City Members will automatically receive Sprint Season matches at a flat rate consistent with their 2026 Membership plan.
About the New MLS Competition Calendar
Beginning in the summer of 2027, MLS will adopt a summer-to-spring season format, aligning MLS with the world’s top leagues and marking one of the most significant developments in the league’s history.
The 2027-28 MLS regular season will kick off in July 2027 and conclude with the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup presented by Audi in May 2028.
Like many other major international leagues, MLS will observe a midwinter break from mid-December through early February, with no league matches scheduled in January.
