Major League Soccer is about to do something it has never done before: play a shortened season ahead of a new era.
The 2027 MLS Sprint Season runs from February through May 2027, bridging MLS into its new summer-to-spring calendar. Fourteen regular-season matches. No second chances. Every result carries extra weight.
As the full schedule is confirmed, the official MLS digital calendar, powered by ECAL, brings every matchup straight into the calendar you already use, with kickoff times and tune-in details updated automatically when they change.
Add the 2027 MLS Sprint Season schedule to your calendar
2027 MLS Sprint Season: Key Dates
- Regular Season: February to April 2027
- Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs: Following the regular season, culminating in May 2027
- 2027 MLS Cup presented by Audi: May 2027
- 2027-28 Summer-to-Spring Season Kickoff: July 2027
- Full Matchups and Venues: To be announced
Why This Season Hits Different
Fourteen matches, all within your own conference. Every club faces each of its 14 conference rivals once, with seven matches at home and seven on the road. Rivalry matches arrive early, and there is no rematch to make up for a bad night.
Then it gets sharper. The top eight teams in each conference qualify for the Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs, with each conference’s postseason played in a single-elimination bracket. Win and advance; lose and the season is over.
Home-field advantage matters throughout. Every playoff match, including MLS Cup, will be hosted by the team higher in the final 2027 Supporters’ Shield standings. That means every regular-season result can influence a club’s path to the championship, right through to the final in May.
The Sprint Season by the Numbers
- 14 regular-season matches per club (7 home, 7 road)
- 16 playoff teams (8 from each conference)
- 2 conference champions competing for MLS Cup
- 5 berths in the 2028 Concacaf Champions Cup determined by Sprint Season results
- 18 places in the 2028 Leagues Cup (9 per conference)
- 34 regular-season matches per club when the 2027-28 season begins in July
MLS and ECAL
Earlier this year, MLS partnered with ECAL to power the official digital calendar across the league and all 30 clubs. Fans can sync club schedules to their personal calendars for free, complete with match alerts, ticketing links, and tune-in details for MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Read the full story: “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here”: MLS’s Next Chapter in Global Fan Engagement
Keep Every Sprint Season Match in Your Calendar
With 14 matches and a single-elimination postseason, every game counts. Sync the official MLS schedule to your everyday calendar to keep track of kickoffs and broadcast details throughout the Sprint Season.
Powered by ECAL, it works with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook.
- Visit ecal.mlssoccer.com and Choose your Schedule.
- Select All MLS Matches or choose your favorite club.
- Choose your calendar (Google, Apple or Outlook) and follow the quick prompts.
Sync once, and your calendar updates automatically as match details change, from February through to MLS Cup in May.
2027 MLS Sprint Season FAQ
When does the 2027 MLS Sprint Season start?
The regular season begins in February 2027 and runs through April, followed by the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup in May.
How many matches will my club play?
Fourteen regular-season matches: one against each conference rival, split between seven home matches and seven road matches.
How do the playoffs work?
The top eight teams in each conference qualify for a single-elimination bracket. Every playoff match, including MLS Cup, is hosted by the team higher in the final 2027 Supporters’ Shield standings.
When is the full schedule out?
MLS will announce the full schedule, including home and away matchups, at a later date. The calendar will update as matchups, kickoff times, and broadcast details are confirmed.
What happens after May 2027?
MLS transitions to its new summer-to-spring calendar, with the next regular season beginning in July 2027 and culminating in MLS Cup in May 2028. The regular season will retain its 34-match format.
