Major League Soccer is entering a new era.
The league, set to begin its 31st season in 2026, will enact top-to-bottom change in 2027.
MLS plans to flip its traditional February-December calendar to August-May. The shift will help MLS mirror other top soccer leagues around the globe and drop its MLS Cup Playoffs into a less competitive sporting season.
MLS also intends to change its competition standards. Currently, the league is separated into two regional conferences of 15 teams each. Come 2027, it expects to move to five