The 2026 MLS season marks the last year before the league transitions to a summer-to-spring schedule, aligning with European leagues starting in 2027. The regular season kicks off on February 21, 2026, with St. Louis City SC hosting Charlotte FC, and will run until November 7. The season will include a pause for the FIFA World Cup taking place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, offering a perfect opportunity for a break as talents from MLS participate.
Notable players contributing to their teams are Diego Luna, Miles Robinson, Sebastian Berhalter, Alex Freeman, and Cristian Roldan under coach Mauricio Pochettino, while Son Heung-Min leads South Korea and Messi leads Argentina. As the talent level rises, the need to pause for FIFA breaks becomes more crucial.
Key Dates
- Season kick-off: Feb. 21, 2026
- Inter Miami’s first game at Miami Freedom Park: Apr. 4, 2026
- MLS World Cup break: May 25 - July 16
- MLS All-Star Game: July 29
- Decision Day 2026: Nov. 7
Miami Freedom Park Opening
Inter Miami will debut their new stadium on April 4, 2026. Despite changes due to retirements, Messi aims to lead the team towards winning trophies in the new venue. The playoffs will occur after the November international break, improving the current format.
All-Star Festivities in Charlotte
The MLS All-Star game will occur in Charlotte, with the Skills Challenge on July 28.
For a full MLS schedule, see here.
