MLS announces dates and schedule for 2025 regular season, beginning with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami facing NYCFC

MLS's 30th season will kick off on Feb. 22 with a a match between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and NYCFC. New incoming franchise San Diego FC will play their first game the following day against the defending MLS Cup champions and Southern California rival, the LA Galaxy.

As an anniversary season, the league will also include a celebration of the 30th MLS Cup with matchups between the San Jose Earthquakes and D.C. United, a 1996 MLS Cup rematch, as well as a match between the Galaxy and D.C.

Other key dates on the schedule include the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin on July 2 and Rivalry Week from May 14-18.

With the addition of San Diego, the format will include every team playing 34 games, with 17 at home and 17 away. Clubs will play each conference opponent twice, one at each venue, while playing six cross-conference opponents.

There will be a pause in the schedule during the summer, though, for the Club World Cup and Gold Cup. In addition, the Leagues Cup will be held from July 29-Aug. 31.

Since making the move to Apple TV, MLS kickoffs have largely happened in a designated Saturday timeslot. This season, MLS Season Pass will broadcast a featured game on Sunday evenings, while select MLS games will be available on FOX in the U.S.

The MLS offseason will continue on Friday with this season's MLS SuperDraft.