Major League Soccer’s 2027 Sprint Season will officially begin on February 19.
Inter Miami will host FC Cincinnati at Nu Stadium to officially kick off a shortened campaign ahead of the league’s transition from summer to spring, MLS announced Wednesday. The remaining Week 1 matches will be spread between Saturday 20 February and Sunday 21 February, with Decision Day set for 8 May.
Season openers include Philadelphia Union hosting Chicago Fire, San Diego FC traveling to LAFC and 2027 Supporters’ Shield winners Nashville SC welcoming NYCFC to GEODIS Park.
All 30 MLS teams will compete in 14 intraconference matchups (seven home, seven away) against the top eight teams that qualify for the league’s playoffs. The playoff format will be a one-off to determine the Eastern and Western Conference champions before the 2027 MLS Cup is held in May.
MLS clubs will not participate in the 2027 US Open Cup, Canadian Championship or Leagues Cup due to the league’s schedule change, but teams will qualify for the 2028 editions with the results of the 2027 sprint season.
The winner of the MLS Cup, the winner of the Supporters’ Shield, the regular season winner of the MLS Eastern or Western Conference, and the next two best Supporters’ Shield winners will qualify for the 2028 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
In addition, the top 9 teams in each conference will qualify for the 2028 League Cup.
Following the 2027 MLS Cup on Memorial Day Weekend in May, the league will take a two-month break before the start of the 2027-28 MLS season in July.