How the MLS season is organized
Major League Soccer is the top men's professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, with 30 clubs (27 in the US and three in Canada) split into Eastern and Western Conferences of 15 each. Each club plays 34 regular-season matches, roughly 17 at home, on a schedule that runs from late February into the fall, followed by the MLS Cup Playoffs and a championship match, MLS Cup, in December.
The league was founded in December 1993 and played its first season in 1996. It runs as a single entity, meaning the league itself holds player contracts, and it uses a Designated Player rule (in place since 2007) that lets each club pay a small number of stars above the salary cap. That rule is why internationally known players appear on MLS rosters, and it is the biggest single driver of ticket demand on any given night.
- Regular season: the 2026 season opened February 21 and closes with Decision Day (every club plays at once) on November 7.
- World Cup break: the league paused from May 25 to July 16, 2026, while North America hosted the FIFA World Cup.
- Playoffs: 18 clubs qualify; the lowest seeds meet in single-elimination play-in matches, then a best-of-three first round, then single-match rounds. The 2026 playoffs are scheduled for November 18 to December 18, with MLS Cup on December 18.
- Other trophies: the Supporters' Shield goes to the club with the most regular-season points, and the Leagues Cup pits MLS clubs against Mexico's Liga MX in a summer tournament.
The 2026 season is the last on this calendar. Starting in 2027, MLS moves to a summer-to-spring schedule that lines up with the major European leagues, so the season months for future years will differ from what is described here.
Soccer-specific stadiums and the NFL venues
Most MLS clubs play in soccer-specific stadiums (venues built for soccer, typically 18,000 to 30,000 seats, with steep stands close to the touchline). The league has overseen the construction of a dozen of them since 1999, and a newer wave includes Nu Stadium in Miami, which opened April 4, 2026, as Inter Miami CF's home with about 26,700 seats.
A handful of clubs instead play in football or baseball stadiums, which changes the experience. Large crowds are possible, but upper rows sit far from the field, and many of these venues close their upper decks for routine matches.
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium is home to Atlanta United FC, listed at about 42,500 for soccer.
- Lumen Field hosts Seattle Sounders FC, with a soccer capacity listed at about 37,700.
- Bank of America Stadium is home to Charlotte FC, listed at about 38,000 for MLS.
- Gillette Stadium hosts the New England Revolution, configured to about 20,000 for most matches.
- Soldier Field is home to Chicago Fire FC, with a soccer configuration listed at about 25,000.
- Yankee Stadium hosts New York City FC, which plays on a field laid over the baseball diamond.
NFL stadiums also host one-off MLS crowds. On April 18, 2026, a Colorado Rapids home match against Inter Miami moved to Empower Field at Mile High and drew 75,824. Capacities above are as the league and team tables list them for 2026; they change with configuration.
Where to sit at an MLS match
Soccer seating comes down to three zones, and each suits a different fan.
- Midfield sideline, lower level: the best overall view of the game's shape. Rows 10 to 25 sit high enough to see passing lanes across the width of the field, which the first few rows do not. This is usually the most expensive zone.
- Corners and the upper sideline: the value seats. A raised view from the sideline's second level often shows tactics better than a low seat near the corner flag.
- Behind the goals: the supporters' sections. Nearly every club has a designated supporters' end where fans stand for 90 minutes, sing, wave flags and set off coordinated displays (tifo). These are the loudest and often the most affordable seats, and some clubs use safe standing (rail seating built for standing). Sitting down is not an option there, so buy elsewhere if you want a quiet afternoon.
Two cautions. First, low rows behind the goal see the near half of the field well and the far half poorly. Second, in NFL stadiums, seats in the end zones and upper corners can be very far from play; a midfield seat in the second level of an NFL building is often the better buy. Sun matters too, since many MLS matches kick off in the evening in summer but in the afternoon in spring and fall; check which sideline faces west before you choose.
How MLS tickets are sold and when demand rises
MLS clubs sell most of their inventory through season ticket memberships, then release single-match tickets after members are served. Because matches rarely sell out for ordinary opponents, the single-match and resale markets usually have broad availability, and prices often soften in the final days before a routine match.
Specific matches behave differently:
- Star visitors: since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, Miami road matches have drawn some of the largest crowds in league history, and several hosts have moved them to NFL stadiums. Expect demand to build early for these and stay high.
- Rivalries: regional derbies, such as the Cascadia matches in the Pacific Northwest, lift demand and fill supporters' sections.
- Opening day and new stadiums: home openers and the first season in a new venue draw strong interest.
- The playoffs: single-match knockout rounds are announced on short notice, so resale is often the main way in. MLS Cup is hosted by the finalist with the better regular-season record, which means the venue is not known until days before.
The league's attendance averaged about 23,240 per match in 2024, and the 2026 average through mid-September was about 22,110, according to league figures compiled on Wikipedia.
Clubs, champions and the names to know
The LA Galaxy hold the most MLS Cup titles with six, the most recent in 2024, followed by D.C. United with four. Inter Miami CF won its first MLS Cup on December 6, 2025, beating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3–1 in Fort Lauderdale, and the Philadelphia Union won the 2025 Supporters' Shield. San Diego FC joined in 2025 as the 30th club, and the league paused expansion after that, so 2026 is the first season in more than 20 years with no new club added or announced.
Three Canadian clubs compete in MLS: Toronto FC (since 2007), Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2011) and CF Montréal (2012). Matches in Canada require a passport for US fans. The broader American game, including the national teams and the NWSL, is covered on the Soccer page, and the summer visits of English clubs are covered on the Premier League page.
First MLS match: practical tips
A soccer match runs about two hours: two 45-minute halves plus stoppage time and a 15-minute halftime. The clock does not stop, so arrive before kickoff; walking in during play means waiting at the aisle until a break.
- Arrive early: supporters' groups often march to the stadium before the match, and pregame tifo displays happen as the teams walk out.
- Check the bag policy: clubs that share NFL stadiums generally follow the stadium's clear-bag rules. As of the 2026 season these vary by venue, so check the club's current policy before you go.
- Know the configuration: in an NFL stadium, confirm that your section is open for soccer; tickets will only be sold in open sections, but upper-deck seats for a big visitor match can be a long way up.
- Dress for the season: early-season matches in February and March in northern cities can be cold, and summer afternoon kickoffs in the South are hot.
Schedules, kickoff times and playoff formats are published by the league at MLSsoccer.com.
Frequently asked questions
When does the MLS season start and end?
The 2026 season ran from February 21 to Decision Day on November 7, with a break for the World Cup, and MLS Cup is set for December 18. From 2027 the league switches to a summer-to-spring calendar.
How many teams are in MLS?
Thirty: 27 in the United States and three in Canada, split into Eastern and Western Conferences of 15 clubs each.
What are the best seats at an MLS match?
For watching the game, a midfield sideline seat about 10 to 25 rows up is ideal. For atmosphere, the supporters' section behind one goal is the loudest, but expect to stand the whole match.
Which MLS teams play in NFL stadiums?
Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium, Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field, the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium and Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field, as of 2026.
Who has won the most MLS Cups?
The LA Galaxy, with six titles through 2024. Inter Miami CF won the 2025 MLS Cup, its first.