The MLS calendar has never been aligned with the global soccer calendar in its entire 30 year existence. But that could finally be about to change.
Before the MLS All-Star Game in Austin, MLS commissioner Don Garber was more open than perhaps we have ever seen. Not only did he finally reveal some concrete numbers around MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. But he also gave as firm of an indication yet that Major League Soccer will eventually align with much of the international soccer world and make what he admits is a “seismic” shift. And it could come as soon as the 2026 World Cup.
Garber clearly indicated he and MLS would not rush into a decision. But by all intents and purposes given the comments it is a change that is coming sooner rather than later according to his comments as shared by ESPN.
“We continue to evaluate the potential for a transition to the FIFA International Match calendar,” Garber told media ahead of the MLS All-Star Game.
“We’re not making any announcements today, but we continue to do an enormous amount of work with our fans, with our partners, with all of our chief soccer officers and with our clubs to get ourselves closer to the point we’re able to make that decision. But we believe that that alignment is something that makes sense.
“We continue to evaluate the potential for a transition to the FIFA International Match calendar,” Garber told media ahead of the MLS All-Star Game.
“We’re not making any announcements today, but we continue to do an enormous amount of work with our fans, with our partners, with all of our chief soccer officers and with our clubs to get ourselves closer to the point we’re able to make that decision. But we believe that that alignment is something that makes sense.
“If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen after the 2026 World Cup. So making this change is seismic. It’s not something we should do lightly.
“We obviously have teams across multiple climate zones, multiple time zones, unlike any other league in the world. So I would rather get it right and take our time than get it wrong and do it quickly, because life’s a long time when it comes to something like your schedule.”
Shifting the entire calendar of the Major League Soccer season promises to be one of the most important decisions in the history of the American league.
MLS has always been somewhat handicapped by the fact that it doesn’t align with the international soccer calendar. While the league certainly isn’t alone in that regard, it means that stars often miss games due to international call-ups while those windows are taking place. It’s also awkward for MLS during international transfer windows when teams are making moves all around the world and the American league is at a different point in their calendar.
But the biggest impact could be on MLS’s ability to grow viewership stateside, especially for its postseason and championship game. Right now the MLS Playoffs and title game happen during the heart of football season in November and December. If the MLS season ended in May, it wouldn’t face any gridiron competition at all, opening the door to at least get more oxygen from American fans, whether they be diehards or casuals.
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