MLS Announces Shift to International Calendar, Bringing League in Line with Global Soccer Standards
major League Soccer (MLS) is poised to overhaul its schedule, aligning with the international soccer calendar starting in 2026. The move, announced today, will see the league transition from its current late February to early December timeframe to a format mirroring top leagues worldwide – running from August to May.
this significant change aims to elevate MLS’s standing on the global stage, improve player availability for national teams, and streamline roster management for clubs. Currently,the MLS schedule operates outside the typical August-May window observed in Europe and other major soccer confederations,creating challenges for player transfers and national team participation. The shift will impact players, coaches, clubs, and fans, and is expected to foster greater competitiveness and integration within the international soccer ecosystem.
The alignment has drawn praise from prominent figures within the U.S. soccer community. Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, stated, “This is a great step forward for MLS to be on par with the top leagues in the world…the ability to align with the international calendar will have a huge positive impact for the players, coaches and clubs.”
Gregg Berhalter,Director of Football and Head Coach of Chicago fire FC,echoed this sentiment,noting,”Moving to an international calendar helps position MLS on par with the best.” Clint Dempsey, a celebrated MLS player and former U.S. Men’s national Team Captain, emphasized the benefits for player performance, saying, “Having MLS on the same timetable as the rest of the world is great…players are sharper when they get called into camp.”
The change is also expected to revolutionize roster building. Will Kuntz,General manager of the LA Galaxy,explained,”Moving to the international calendar is going to be a massive game-changer,especially for roster-building. It finally allows us to operate in sync with the global transfer market. we’ll be able to sign players when the biggest talent movement happens – in the summer – rather of midseason when integration is difficult.”
The 2026 season will mark the beginning of this new era for MLS, with further details regarding the specific schedule adjustments to be released in the coming months.
