The 2027 MLS Sprint Season is a 14-game regular season that will run from February to April 2027. The Sprint Season will qualify MLS teams for the 2028 Concacaf Champions Cup and 2028 Leagues Cup. The postseason will be played in single-elimination bracket format. The Eastern Conference Champion and Western Conference Champion will meet in the 2027 MLS Cup presented by Audi.
2027 Sprint Season
About the 2027 MLS Sprint Season
About the 2027 MLS Sprint Season
THE 2027 MLS SPRINT SEASON AT A GLANCE
01
SHORTER,
SHORTER,
INTENSE SEASON
The 2027 MLS Sprint Season will run from February through April.
02
14 MATCHES,
14 MATCHES,
MORE ACTION
Teams will face each of their 14 conference opponents once, playing seven home and seven away matches.
03
A CLEAR PATH
A CLEAR PATH
TO THE PLAYOFFS
The top eight teams in each conference will qualify for the Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs.
04
THE CUP
THE CUP
A W A I T S
The Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs and 2027 MLS Cup presented by Audi will take place in May.
Beginning in the summer of 2027, MLS will adopt a summer-to-spring season format, aligning MLS with the world’s top leagues. The calendar change will optimize the MLS transfer market, granting clubs a better opportunity to acquire and sell top talent during the world’s major transfer windows.
The calendar change will significantly reduce conflicts between MLS league matches and national team call-ups for players, particularly during summer tournaments. Despite the calendar shift, 91% of matches will fall within the current MLS season window.
What Will the 2027-28 MLS Season Look Like?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you know the schedule for the 2027 Sprint Season?
MLS will be announcing opponents and match dates at a future date.
Is the 2027 Sprint Season less important or less prestigious if you win since it’s a truncated schedule?
No, the Sprint Season will crown an MLS Cup champion with full competitive stakes, identical recognition, and qualification implications for CCC/Leagues Cup. It’s a high stakes season where EVERY match matters.
Does this change Leagues Cup, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, or Concacaf Cup competition?
The calendar shift does not impact Major League Soccer’s commitment to national and international Cup competitions. MLS will coordinate with the organizing committees of each tournament to ensure scheduling alignment.
Will matches be played on weekends and midweek?
The majority of matches will continue to be played on weekend, with a limited number of midweek matches, similar to the current schedule.
How will MLS change the regular season and playoff format for 2027-28?
The regular season will still consist of 34 matches for every team. In conjunction with this transition, MLS is reviewing the current playoff format. More information on the playoff format will be announced at a later date.
When will the match schedule be announced for the 2027-28 season?
MLS will be announcing the schedule and format for the 2027-28 season at a future date.
How will teams qualify for the 2028 Concacaf Champions Cup from the Sprint Season?
MLS will qualify teams for the 2028 Concacaf Champions Cup in the Sprint Season by winning MLS Cup presented by Audi, the Supporters’ Shield, or other domestic competitions, as well as through finishing at or near the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.
How will FIFA international windows impact MLS matches during the 2027-28 season?
The new calendar is designed to significantly reduce conflicts between MLS league matches and national team call-ups for players in FIFA international match windows, and in summer tournaments such as Concacaf Gold Cup, Copa America, UEFA European Championships, and the FIFA World Cup.
