Key Dates Announced for 2026 MLS Season

From the World Cup break to the All-Star Game, here are the important dates to know for the upcoming Major League Soccer campaign.

Feb. 17, 2026 at 8:23pm

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Major League Soccer has released the key dates for the 2026 season, which will be an important year for soccer in the United States with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. The regular season will begin on the weekend of February 21-22, with a break from May 25 to July 16 for the World Cup. The MLS All-Star Game is scheduled for July 29 in Charlotte, and the regular season will conclude on November 7 with Decision Day. The playoffs will then take place over one month after the November international break.

Why it matters

The 2026 MLS season is set against the backdrop of the World Cup coming to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. MLS will be looking to capitalize on the increased interest in soccer to grow the league and its fanbase ahead of the world's biggest tournament. The schedule announcements provide important milestones for teams, players, and fans to look forward to throughout the year.

The details

The 2026 MLS regular season will kick off on the weekend of February 21-22. There will be a break in play from May 25 to July 16 to accommodate the 2026 World Cup. MLS action will resume on July 16-17 with a slate of rivalry matches. The 2026 MLS All-Star Game is scheduled for July 29 in Charlotte, with the opponent to be announced at a later date. The regular season will conclude on November 7 with Decision Day. The playoffs will then take place over one month after the November international break, though the exact schedule has not yet been announced.

  • The 2026 MLS regular season will begin on the weekend of February 21-22.
  • There will be a break in MLS play from May 25 to July 16 for the 2026 World Cup.
  • MLS action will resume on July 16-17 with rivalry matches.
  • The 2026 MLS All-Star Game is scheduled for July 29 in Charlotte.
  • The 2026 MLS regular season will conclude on November 7 with Decision Day.

The players

Lionel Messi

The Argentine superstar who led Inter Miami to the MLS Cup last season.

Sergio Busquets

The former Barcelona midfielder who recently retired.

Jordi Alba

The former Barcelona defender who recently retired.

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What’s next

The exact playoff schedule for the 2026 MLS season has not yet been announced.

The takeaway

The 2026 MLS season is set to be a pivotal year for the league, with the World Cup coming to North America providing a unique opportunity to grow the sport's popularity in the United States. The announced key dates give teams, players, and fans important milestones to look forward to throughout the year.