MLS Transition to Fall-Spring Calendar: A Strategic Evolution

Major League Soccer (MLS) has been progressing toward a significant transformation for years, and the consensus has been that this change was inevitable. As a league in a state of continuous evolution, this move positions MLS more convincingly in the modern era. Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged during a recent press conference that the league delayed this transition longer than initially intended.

“We would rather take our time and get it right than be fast and get it wrong,” Garber stated.

The shift is primarily aimed at leveraging the momentum generated by the 2026 World Cup, which is anticipated to be a landmark event for soccer in North America. This presents an opportune moment for MLS to implement significant changes. Aligning with the World Cup enhances the league’s legitimacy, as it embodies the American soccer experience in club form, closely linked to this prestigious global event.

Extensive discussions have taken place to ensure that the transition is executed effectively. The league engaged fans and other stakeholders to gauge their interest in a Fall-Spring calendar, with ninety-two percent supporting a change in alignment with European leagues. Discussions gained traction in October 2023, and just over two years later, the rumors have materialized into reality.

At its core, this adjustment is beneficial for MLS. The current scheduling has often placed the league at odds with European counterparts, making it difficult to be taken seriously. By adopting a more familiar calendar, MLS aims to demonstrate its commitment to the global soccer community.

A significant advantage of this change is how the league will operate within the global soccer landscape. Currently, MLS’s primary transfer window operates from January to April, with a secondary window from July to August. This arrangement has complicated player acquisitions and often resulted in teams losing star players mid-season due to offers from overseas clubs. Garber emphasized the importance of synchronizing with international transfer windows, stating, “It gives us a wide variety of opportunities that will expand our ability to be on this path, to be one of the top and leading leagues in the world.”

While the league will still experience player departures, this new structure will provide opportunities for proper planning and recruitment. It could pave the way for more significant transfers, similar to LAFC’s notable acquisition of Son Heung-Min.

Additionally, the new calendar will align with FIFA international windows, alleviating issues where clubs previously lost key players to national team duties during crucial matches. This change promises to streamline operations, though it does pose challenges for players regarding contract negotiations, as current MLS contracts expire in December.

Garber acknowledged the need for discussions with the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) about the implications of this change on player contracts, indicating that a dialogue will soon take place.

There are also concerns regarding the timing of matches, particularly in colder climates. A break from mid-December to early February may benefit fans, but the discomfort of attending games in frigid conditions in cities like Minnesota and Chicago remains a consideration.

Questions surrounding fan attendance also linger. The league has celebrated welcoming over 14 million fans during regular season matches; however, it remains to be seen if attendance will hold steady during the colder months.

Beyond attendance, the shift raises questions about sponsorships, season ticket sales, and day-to-day operations for teams.

Garber emphasized the overarching goal of raising awareness and engagement with MLS through this change, stating, “The bottom line is this change has been approved because we think it will, overall, raise the awareness, therefore the engagement with our teams, and therefore make them more valuable to the corporate community and to their fans.”

Another critical aspect of this shift is how it fits into the broader North American sports calendar. Currently, the MLS season overlaps significantly with the NFL season, the World Series, college football, and the NBA’s early season. Transitioning to a May MLS Cup could mitigate these conflicts, freeing up the calendar for MLS to showcase its marquee event.

However, the middle of the season will now coincide with key NFL playoff games, and the potential for capturing an audience during the offseason may diminish. The league’s transition plan for the 2027 season is still under consideration, especially since the 2026 season is set to conclude in December. A proposed “sprint season” of 14 matches from February to May 2027 is being considered to bridge this gap.

The six-week hiatus between seasons will necessitate adjustments from clubs but may also provide flexibility for additional fixtures, such as Leagues Cup or U.S. Open Cup matches.

While MLS has implemented this major structural change, other modifications remain on the table. Discussions regarding a potential move to a single-division format and adjustments to roster rules and salary caps, highlighted by Lionel Messi, have not yet come to fruition. Garber hinted at future changes, but for the moment, the transition to the Fall-Spring calendar stands as a historic yet necessary evolution for the league.

Overall, this shift represents a significant correction in direction for MLS. The league has traditionally operated on its own unique schedule, which has spurred growth and fan engagement. However, aligning more closely with the global soccer community has become essential, and despite the challenges that lie ahead, this decision feels both pragmatic and overdue.