MLS owners could reportedly vote on fall-to-spring schedule shift at Board of Governors meeting

MLS and its clubs could get more clarity Thursday around a proposed schedule change that would move the season calendar to fall to spring. Team owners and executives are reportedly set to discuss the plan and potentially vote on it during the Board of Governors meeting in Chicago, according to the Sports Business Journal.

The proposed change, which had been vigorously debated, would see MLS move from its spring-to-fall schedule and align with Europe's fall-to-spring calendar - with a few potential tweaks.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber recently said that a change is being discussed, though no decision had been made.

A proposed shift would see the league begin the regular season in late July or early August, and then play through mid-December before a winter break. After a roughly five-week stoppage through the beginning of February, the season would conclude in late May or early June.

In addition to discussing the proposed schedule change, potential competition changes are also expected to be touched on, including potential revisions of the current playoff format.

Proponents of the change believe the league, as a result of being aligned with European transfer windows, will be able to attract more talent and benefit from having playoffs and MLS Cup aligned against the NHL and NBA in the spring rather than the NFL and college football in the fall.

Critics, meanwhile, believe a changescould have a detrimental impact on cold weather markets such as Minnesota, Chicago, Toronto and Montreal. Any schedule changes could force those franchises to make additional investments into infrastructure with heated playing surfaces and indoor training facilities.

Multiple teams have reportedly addressed the league over the financial matters involved.

The league is also set to discuss 2026 FIFA World Cup plans, and updates on the media partnership with Apple.

Matchday 8 of the MLS season arrives on Saturday.