Major League Soccer will transition to a summer-to-spring calendar format beginning next year in 2027. This shift will align MLS with many of the top leagues around the world. As more details are confirmed, we'll continue updating this page to help you understand how this will impact the future of Season Memberships with the New England Revolution.
Why is MLS changing the schedule?
This shift aligns MLS with the global soccer calendar, which helps improve access to players in the international transfer market and reduce scheduling conflicts with international competitions. The calendar shift also positions the season’s start and the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in more advantageous positions on the calendar, allowing fans to enjoy the season’s opening months and postseason in better weather conditions.
When is this change taking place?
- The new Full Season format begins July 2027 through May 2028. Each season will continue in this format for the future. Complete competition details will be announced in the future.
- Prior to the Full Season in July 2027, the MLS Sprint Season will be a 14-game regular season from February to May 2027, capped by playoffs and the crowning of an MLS Cup champion.
What is the MLS Sprint Season structure?
Before the new calendar begins, MLS will introduce a Sprint Season from February to May 2027:
- Each club will play 14 regular season matches
- Teams will face every conference opponent once (home or away)
- The top 8 teams from each conference will qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs
- Playoffs will be single elimination, hosted by the higher-ranked Supporters' Shield team (higher regular season point total)
Performance in the Sprint Season will also determine qualification for the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup. MLS clubs will also participate in the 2028 U.S. Open Cup, with qualification details to be announced.
What is the new regular MLS Season Structure?
The regular season will continue to consist of 34 matches, the same as the current format. Like other major international leagues, the schedule will include a winter break, with limited matches in December and February, and no matches in January. Beginning in 2027-28, the Revolution are guaranteed to host every other MLS team at least once every two seasons.
Does this schedule change mean more matches in cold weather?
Despite the calendar shift, MLS predicts that more than 90% of all matches will take place within the current season footprint, meaning little to no increase in cold-weather matches for clubs in norther markets, such as New England. The new schedule will be constructed considerate of weather, minimizing the number of home games played in northern climate markets in December and February and the adjustment of start times.
What does this mean for the Revolution Season Membership during this transition period?
To bridge the schedule shift, your Membership includes 24 matches throughout both the 2027 Sprint Season and the 2027/28 season. Subsequent seasons will return to a 17-match format.
- 7 matches in the 2027 MLS Sprint Season
- 17 matches in the 2027-2028 MLS Regular Season
How does MLS benefit from aligning the transfer windows with the rest of the world?
The summer transfer window sees 46% more global activity compared to the winter window. With the world’s best players usually becoming available during the summer, MLS clubs can now be more competitive in the global market when pursuing inbound transfers. The alignment also helps clubs navigate outgoing transfers during the summer window, allowing teams to bring in reinforcements before the new season begins. This will mean the Revolution and other MLS clubs no longer risk losing their high-impact players to summer transfers just before the most important part of the season – the MLS Cup Playoffs.
