Major League Soccer · USA / Canada
MLS Schedule 2026 — Season Dates, Cup, Playoffs
Major League Soccer 2026 calendar: opening weekend, All-Star Game, Audi Cup, Playoffs, MLS Cup.
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Season opener | February 21, 2026 |
| Open Cup early rounds | March–April 2026 |
| Leagues Cup | Late July – early August 2026 |
| MLS All-Star Game | July 2026 |
| Decision Day (regular season ends) | October 18, 2026 |
| Audi MLS Cup Playoffs begin | Late October 2026 |
| MLS Cup Final | December 6, 2026 |
Season structure
MLS runs February to December with 29 teams (split into Eastern and Western Conferences) playing 34 regular-season games each. Nine teams from each conference reach the playoffs, with the top seed getting a bye to the Conference Semifinals.
Major non-league competitions: US Open Cup (single-elimination knockout) and the Leagues Cup (mid-summer tournament with Liga MX clubs).
How to subscribe
mlssoccer.com publishes club-by-club iCal feeds. Apple TV's MLS Season Pass also integrates schedules into Apple Calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When does the MLS season start?
Late February 2026. Specific opening-weekend dates are announced in December the prior year.
Where will MLS Cup 2026 be played?
MLS Cup is hosted by the higher-seeded finalist — venue is confirmed once the finalists are known.