MLS opts to table fall-to-spring schedule shift that would align with European calendar, says no changes until at least 2027

Major League Soccer will continue to evaluate a long-discussed shift to a fall-to-spring schedule, with a second stage of development planned. The league said that no potential change will be implemented until 2027 at the earliest, following a Board of Governors meeting held Thursday.

"Major League Soccer’s Board of Governors today authorized a second phase of exploration into a potential move to the international soccer calendar, along with a continued evaluation of the league’s regular season and playoff formats," the league said in a statement. "Any potential changes would not take effect until the 2027 season at the earliest. This next phase will include additional consultation with key stakeholders and the development of a comprehensive transition plan."

The schedule shift won’t take place immediately following the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, as some in the sport envisioned.

“We clearly have work to do to figure out whether or not we can move over the international calendar, and we’re not there yet,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber told Sports Business Journal. “No decision has been made, and frankly, sitting here today, I’m not sure whether or not we have all the support we need to be able to achieve that.”

The potential shift in schedule has been heavily debated within MLS and its observers. Several coaches and executives shared their thoughts on the possible change during the league's Media Day in January.

"I think the price you pay in a different transfer window, it's a lot more challenging in the winter where it doesn't align with the European calendar," FC Cincinnati's Pat Noonan said in expressing his support. "So I think if those align, it becomes easier as far as the recruitment process and how you can go about getting top players without overextending [in transfer fees] as far as what you're paying."

There's also a perceived advantage in terms of recruiting players.

"From a recruitment standpoint, it's massive," Pat Onstead, Houston Dynamo GM, added. "It will be a big change if we can do this as a league, it'll really help us be able to recruit the top players and bring them into our league."

LAFC co-managing owner Larry Berg spoke on the record after the meeting, which he characterized as “an opportunity for the league to present and recommend some big, bold moves.”

He told SBJ that owners had the chance to “respond as to how they take those moves and give the league a sense whether it’s worth continuing to work on them” as well as to “point out the challenges that need to be worked on to get to a final vote in the future.”

Some proponents will view this as a missed opportunity to make a statement about the future of the league when all eyes are on soccer following the FIFA Men’s World Cup next summer. Garber dismissed this notion.

“My view is, if we can get this done, we’ll fully be able to capitalize on the momentum of the World Cup,” Garber said. “I’m not remotely concerned about it. Making this change will be one of the biggest decisions MLS will have made in its history.”

MLS's current spring-to-fall schedule isn't common across leagues around the world. It is emulated by its counterparts in the USL and Canadian Premier League. The Scandinavian leagues, Kazakhstan Premier League and Belarusian Premier League are among about a dozen leagues that use the format.

MLS will continue to evaluate whether or not a switch to the European format would be beneficial for the league, but it clearly will be a deliberate process. On the pitch, the league is enters Matchday 8 this weekend.