Major League Soccer will transition to a summer-to-spring season format beginning in the summer of 2027, a major shift intended to align the league with the world's top soccer leagues. The transition begins with a 2027 Sprint Season running from mid-February through May, leading into the new regular season scheduled to kick off in mid-to-late July 2027.
New Seasonal Calendar Details
The new competition calendar marks one of the most significant developments in the history of Major League Soccer. Under the new format, the 2027-28 MLS regular season is expected to begin in mid-to-late July 2027 and will conclude with the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and the Audi MLS Cup in late May 2028. To accommodate this shift, the league will observe a midwinter break from mid-December through early February, during which no league matches will be scheduled in January.
Sprint Season Match Structure
The 2027 Sprint Season will serve as the launch for this transition. During this period, each club will play 14 regular-season matches, split evenly between seven home games and seven away games. All regular-season matches during the Sprint Season will be played against conference opponents, with teams facing each of their 14 conference opponents one time during the 14-match schedule.
Playoff and Championship Format
The conclusion of the Sprint Season will determine the participants for the Audi 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs. Eight teams from each conference, totaling 16 teams, will qualify for the postseason. Within each conference, the playoffs will utilize a single-elimination bracket format to determine a conference champion. The Eastern Conference Champion and the Western Conference Champion will then meet in the 2027 MLS Cup presented by Audi. All playoff games, including the MLS Cup, will be hosted by the team with the higher position in the final 2027 Supporters' Shield standings.
International Competition Impact
The Sprint Season will also have implications for international club competitions. Performance during this period will determine which MLS teams qualify for the 2028 CONCACAF Champions Cup and the 2028 Leagues Cup. Additionally, MLS clubs will continue to participate in both the 2028 Canadian Champions and the 2028 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Real Salt Lake Ticket Options
Real Salt Lake has introduced a Sprint Season Package to coincide with the new schedule. This package includes 10 total events: seven RSL league matches, two free Utah Royals FC matches, and one free Salt Lake Bees game. The package is designed to bridge the gap as the league moves toward the full summer-to-spring transition.
Renewal and Payment Deadlines
Regarding the 2027 season ticket renewal process, Real Salt Lake has established specific timelines for member accounts. For those on payment plans, the first payment is scheduled to be drawn on August 15, 2026, with subsequent payments occurring on the 15th of each month through January 2027. Accounts that have already paid in full for the 2026 season will have their balance drawn on August 15, 2026. Members requiring alternative payment arrangements must contact their Fan Relations Representative by August 12, 2026.
Priority Access and Opt-Outs
The league has implemented an autorenewal program for the 2027 Sprint Season. If supporters do not submit an opt-out form by August 12, 2026, their cards will be charged on August 15, 2026, and they will be renewed for the 2027 Sprint Season. Failure to renew season tickets will result in the loss of priority access to seats for the 27/28 MLS season.
