‘New Era For MLS’: Shifting Schedule To Align With World Soccer; Fresh Apple Pact

By Barry Janoff

November 13, 2025: Calling it “one of the most important decisions in our history,” MLS said today it plans to move its competition calendar, aligning the league’s schedule with the world’s top soccer leagues, beginning in the summer of 2027.

MLS said it would adopt a summer-to-spring season format, shifting from the current MLS schedule that runs from late February to early December of the same calendar year.

Separately, MLS and Apple said today that beginning in 2026, all league matches would be available to stream for Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost, shifting from Apple’s Season Pass for an additional subscription solely for MLS games that began in 2022.

The standalone MLS Season Pass subscription on the Apple TV app will conclude at the end of the 2025 season. 

Before the calendar change, MLS, which began play in 1996, plans to have a transition season from February to May 2027, featuring a 14-game regular season, playoffs and MLS Cup.

The calendar transition and the new regular season structure were approved at today’s MLS Board of Governors meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.

"The calendar shift is one of the most important decisions in our history," said MLS commissioner Don Garber said via the league. “It marks the start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America

"Aligning our schedule with the world’s top leagues will strengthen our clubs’ global competitiveness, create better opportunities in the transfer market, and ensure our Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take center stage without interruption."

Among the key reasons for the change was to align with the FIFA calendar. According to MLS, “Mindful of FIFA international match windows, the new calendar will significantly reduce conflicts between MLS league matches and national team call-ups for players, particularly during summer tournaments.”

MLS said the change follows a two-year review process that began in October 2023, incorporating feedback from owners, club executives, players, the MLS Players Assn., partners, and fans.

"Research conducted throughout the process revealed strong support for the shift, including 92% of league soccer viewers — defined as those who have watched at least one professional club soccer match during the most recent season — supporting the calendar change. Fans cited several key benefits to the new schedule, including improved player performance, better alignment with international competitions, and a May post-season,” according to MLS.

In addition, MLS said it “conducted extensive weather and logistics analyses to ensure a high-quality fan experience. While the final schedule footprint is still being determined, the league intends to limit the number of home matches in northern markets during December and February.”

Although the start and end dates of the season will change, MLS said the vast majority of its matches would still be played within the same general timeframe as the current schedule. “Initial projections for the 2027-28 season indicate that 91% of matches will fall within the current MLS season window,” said MLS.

Among the other strategic benefits of its calendar shift, MLS said it would optimize global transfer market activity, maximize player signings and elevate playoffs.

The Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup presented by Audi will be played in May, “delivering ideal timing and weather for the pinnacle of the MLS season, uninterrupted by FIFA international match windows. This change would also provide premier placement on the sports calendar, ensuring maximum attention and visibility for the league’s most important matches.”

In 2022, Apple and MLS signed a ten-year media rights deal under which Apple become the league’s exclusive global home to the league. Rather than feature matches on the fledgling streaming service, Apple instead launched Season Pass for an additional subscription solely for MLS games.

Starting next season, people can watch every regular-season match, the annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, the Campeones Cup, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and more — all included with an Apple TV subscription.

“Our partnership with Apple has always been about innovating for our fans,” Garber said via MLS.“Bringing every MLS match to Apple TV takes that vision to the next level by making it easier than ever for fans everywhere to watch, connect, and be part of the game.”

This is Apple TV's second major sports move in recent weeks. Last month, Apple and Formula 1 signed a five-year exclusive media rights deal, meaning all races will stream on Apple TV in the U.S. beginning next year.

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