MLS Unveils 2027 'Sprint Season' Schedule
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The league will implement a one-off half-season to align its calendar with global top leagues starting in 2027-28.
Major League Soccer has announced the schedule for its 2027 "sprint season," a transitional half-season designed to invert the league's calendar to match most of the world's top leagues starting with the 2027-28 season, according to The Guardian.
The sprint season begins on February 19, with Inter Miami hosting FC Cincinnati at Nu Stadium. The abbreviated season consists of a 14-game slate where teams only face opponents within their own conference, split evenly between home and away matches. The Guardian reports that the schedule will include some Wednesday matches, with 17 matchweeks available.
Key dates include Decision Day on May 8, where conferences will play concurrent slates. The top eight teams from each conference will then enter a single-elimination postseason, culminating in the MLS Cup during Memorial Day weekend (May 28-31). Apple TV will stream every game from the start of the season through the championship, with no local blackouts.
Other notable matchups reported by The Guardian include the Cascadia Derby between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders on April 4, the Hell is Real Derby between the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati on April 24, and a February 28 Canadian Classique featuring CF Montréal and Toronto FC. To accommodate cold-weather markets, Minnesota United will start their season on February 28 with a 2 p.m. local kickoff against Seattle.
The shift comes amid leadership changes, as Larry Berg is prepared to succeed Don Garber as commissioner. Additionally, The Guardian notes that Thomas Müller has confirmed he will stay with the Vancouver Whitecaps for the duration of the sprint season.