MLS Announces 2027 Sprint Season to Align with European Calendar
What happened
Major League Soccer will introduce a three-month Sprint Season in February 2027 to transition to a summer-to-spring calendar.
The Context
- Longstanding misalignment: MLS has operated on a winter-to-fall schedule since 1996, creating challenges for player transfers and international play.
- Broad support: A 2023 review revealed 92% of soccer viewers favor the calendar shift for enhanced global competitiveness.
- Playoff structure: The Sprint Season will feature 14 intra-conference matches per team, leading to playoffs and the MLS Cup in late May.
The Number
— This is the number of regular-season games each team will play during the 2027 Sprint Season, optimizing competition and player exposure.
Takeaway
As MLS moves toward a synchronized calendar, expect increased player mobility and heightened international engagement in soccer.
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