MLS Continues Play During International Break Due to Unique Calendar

The Major League Soccer (MLS) continues to play its matches during the current international break, a situation that affects teams even when stars like Lionel Messi and Israeli players are absent on national team duty. This anomaly stems from the MLS's unique calendar, which operates on a season that begins in early spring and concludes in late fall, unlike most major European leagues that follow a fall-to-spring schedule.

Consequently, September's international window falls in the middle of the MLS season. This means teams must often play without key players called up for their national teams, while the league standings race continues unabated. This season, a significant number of MLS players have been called up, making the situation particularly noticeable.

However, this scheduling quirk is set to change. Starting in the summer of 2027, the MLS will transition to a fall-to-spring calendar, aligning it with most major global soccer leagues. The new season will commence in July 2027 and conclude in May 2028, with a winter break incorporated.

The primary goal of this shift, according to MLS officials, is to synchronize with FIFA's international match calendar and minimize conflicts between league games and national team call-ups. This will allow international breaks to integrate more naturally into the season, preventing teams from being significantly weakened.

A transitional "sprint season" will take place in early 2027, featuring 14 regular-season games per team from February to May, followed by playoffs. The first full season under the new structure, 2027/28, will then begin in July 2027, marking the MLS's departure from its long-standing, distinct calendar.