Major League Soccer has unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 regular season schedule, marking what promises to be one of the most historic campaigns in league history. With the FIFA World Cup coming to North America and several groundbreaking developments, the 2026 MLS season is set to captivate soccer fans across the globe.
MLS 2026 Schedule, Teams, Schedule, and Broadcasting
The MLS 2026 Schedule kicks off with MLS is Back weekend on February 21-22, 2026, featuring all 30 clubs in action. The opening match promises to be a spectacular affair as Inter Miami faces LAFC at the iconic LA Coliseum on February 21, setting the stage for an unforgettable season.
Teams
All the Major League Soccer Qualified teams MLS 2026 schedule –
| Teams | Teams |
|---|---|
| Atlanta United Austin FC Charlotte FC Chicago Fire FC FC Cincinnati Colorado Rapids Columbus Crew D.C. United FC Dallas Houston Dynamo FC LA Galaxy LAFC Inter Miami CF Minnesota United FC CF Montréal | Nashville SC New England Revolution Red Bull New York New York City FC Orlando City Philadelphia Union Portland Timbers Real Salt Lake San Diego FC San Jose Earthquakes Seattle Sounders FC Sporting Kansas City St. Louis CITY SC Toronto FC Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
Key Dates for the 2026 MLS Season:
- Opening Weekend: February 21-22, 2026
- World Cup Break: May 25 – July 16, 2026
- MLS All-Star Game: July 29, 2026 (Charlotte, NC)
- Decision Day: November 7, 2026
- MLS Cup Playoffs: November 2026 (exact dates TBA)
Historic World Cup Pause
One of the most significant aspects of the 2026 MLS schedule is the seven-week break to accommodate the FIFA World Cup 2026. From May 25 to July 16, league play will pause as the world’s attention turns to the historic 48-team tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This unprecedented break will allow MLS players representing their national teams to compete on the world’s biggest stage, with a record number of league players expected to be called up for World Cup duty. Five MLS stadiums will serve as World Cup venues, with many additional facilities potentially hosting national team base camps.
The league resumes action on July 22, 2026, with matches scheduled just days before the World Cup final, ensuring fans won’t miss a beat of the soccer action.
Inter Miami’s New Stadium Debut
April 4, 2026, marks another milestone as Inter Miami christens their new home, Miami Freedom Park. The 25,000-seat state-of-the-art stadium will host its inaugural match when Austin FC visits for a 7:30 PM ET kickoff.
This represents a significant upgrade for the Herons, who currently play at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Miami Freedom Park is the first of three new MLS stadiums set to open in consecutive years, followed by New York City FC’s Etihad Park in 2027 and Chicago Fire FC’s downtown stadium in 2028.
MLS 2026 schedule Broadcasting: Apple TV, FOX, TSN, and RDS
In a groundbreaking shift, MLS has announced that the standalone MLS Season Pass subscription will cease after the 2025 MLS season. Starting in 2026, every MLS match will be available to Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost.
This means all 510 regular-season matches, plus the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, Leagues Cup, and All-Star Game, will be accessible with a standard Apple TV subscription. This change could lead to a significant spike in viewership and broader interest in the league.
Additionally, FOX Sports will broadcast 34 matches in 2026, including 15 on FOX and 19 on FS1. Canadian broadcasters TSN and RDS will also air matches for Canadian clubs, with specific schedules to be announced later.
Sunday Night Soccer Returns
The popular Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire returns for the 2026 season with enhanced production values. The programming kicks off on February 22 when LA Galaxy hosts New York City FC in a marquee matchup at 7 PM ET.
These primetime Sunday evening matches feature immersive pre- and post-game coverage, bringing fans deeper into the matchday experience with comprehensive analysis and storytelling.
2026 MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte
Charlotte FC will host the 2026 MLS All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The event will also include the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T on Tuesday, July 28. Both events will be broadcast on Apple TV, with the All-Star opponent to be announced at a later date.
Decision Day 2026
The regular season concludes with Decision Day on Saturday, November 7, 2026, when all teams play simultaneously to determine final playoff seeding. Stakes will be high across the league as teams battle for playoff positions and individual honors, including the Golden Boot presented by Audi.
Following Decision Day, the league will observe the November FIFA window before launching one month of uninterrupted Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs action, culminating in the MLS Cup championship match.
Notable Schedule Highlights
Several teams have already announced exciting matchups and milestones for the 2026 season:
- Inter Miami opens Miami Freedom Park on April 4 against Austin FC and will face Orlando City on March 1 in a Sunday Night Soccer showcase.
- Minnesota United celebrates its 10th MLS season, kicking off at Austin on February 21 before hosting FC Cincinnati on February 28 in their earliest home opener ever.
- New York City FC starts their season at LA Galaxy on February 22, followed by a rematch of this year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals against Philadelphia Union on March 1.
- Houston Dynamo begins with two home matches, hosting Chicago on February 21 and LAFC on February 28.
How the 2026 Schedule Impacts Playoffs
The MLS Cup playoffs will begin in November, representing a slight schedule shift from previous years. The compressed playoff format will deliver one month of uninterrupted postseason action after the November FIFA window, ensuring maximum excitement as the season reaches its climax.
The complete postseason schedule will be announced at a later date, allowing the league to optimize matchups and broadcast windows.
What This Means for MLS Fans
The 2026 season represents a watershed moment for Major League Soccer. The combination of the World Cup break, enhanced broadcasting accessibility through Apple TV, new stadium openings, and an increasingly competitive league promises to elevate MLS to new heights.
Season ticket packages for the 2026 campaign are now on sale across all clubs, with many teams offering Apple TV subscriptions as part of full-season ticket packages. Individual match tickets will go on sale in January 2026.
As MLS enters its 31st season, the league continues to grow in stature and competitiveness, attracting world-class talent and delivering compelling soccer action from coast to coast.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule ensures that fans won’t want to miss a single moment of what promises to be an unforgettable season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When does the MLS 2026 season start?
A: The 2026 MLS season kicks off on February 21-22, 2026, with MLS is Back weekend featuring all 30 clubs in action. The opening match is Inter Miami vs LAFC at the LA Coliseum on February 21.
Q: Why is there a break in the MLS 2026 schedule?
A: MLS will pause for seven weeks from May 25 to July 16, 2026, to accommodate the FIFA World Cup being hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This allows MLS players to represent their national teams on the world’s biggest stage.
Q: When does the MLS 2026 season end?
A: The regular season concludes with Decision Day on November 7, 2026. The MLS Cup Playoffs will follow in November, with the championship match date to be announced.
Q: How can I watch MLS matches in 2026?
A: All MLS matches will be available to Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost starting in 2026. The standalone MLS Season Pass ends after 2025. Additionally, FOX Sports will broadcast 34 matches (15 on FOX, 19 on FS1).
Q: When does Inter Miami’s new stadium open?
A: Miami Freedom Park, Inter Miami’s new 25,000-seat stadium, opens on April 4, 2026, when Austin FC visits for a 7:30 PM ET match.
Q: Where is the 2026 MLS All-Star Game?
A: Charlotte FC will host the 2026 MLS All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium on July 29, 2026, with the Skills Challenge on July 28.
Q: How many teams are in MLS for the 2026 season?
A: MLS features 30 clubs for the 2026 season, making it one of the largest professional soccer leagues in the world.
Q: Will MLS games be free on Apple TV in 2026?
A: Yes, all MLS matches will be included with a standard Apple TV subscription at no additional cost. The separate MLS Season Pass subscription ends after the 2025 season.
Q: When do MLS 2026 tickets go on sale?
A: Season ticket packages are currently on sale across all clubs. Individual match tickets are expected to go on sale in January 2026.
Q: What happens to MLS during the World Cup?
A: League play pauses from May 25 to July 16, 2026, during the World Cup. MLS resumes on July 22, allowing players to participate in the tournament while ensuring fans get uninterrupted playoff action later in the year.
Stay tuned to The Soccer Era for continued coverage of the 2026 MLS season, including team-by-team schedule breakdowns, roster moves, and preview content as opening day approaches.