MLS 2026 Season Preview: Dates, World Cup Pause, Apple TV Changes, and What US Fans Should Watch
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| Major League Soccer and adidas have unveiled the 2026 MLS Official Match Ball, which will be used in all MLS games throughout the 2026 season |
MLS is heading into a season that’s going to feel different even if you’ve watched the league for years. The 2026 regular season starts Feb. 21–22 and ends on Decision Day, Nov. 7, with every team playing 34 matches.
But the real headline is the calendar: MLS will pause league play from May 25 to July 16 for the FIFA World Cup, creating a true “split season” that will change everything from roster rotation to late-season momentum.
Below is what’s new, what matters, and how to follow MLS 2026 without getting lost.
Read more:
- MLS 2026 Schedule Explained: Key Dates, World Cup Break, and What Fans Need to Know
- How to Watch MLS 2026: Apple TV Subscription, End of MLS Season Pass
The World Cup pause makes MLS 2026 a “two-part” season
MLS isn’t just squeezing in extra international breaks. It’s stopping the league entirely after May 24 matches, then resuming July 16–17. That’s a big deal for a league where momentum often drives the standings.
What changes for fans?
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Form becomes less reliable. A team hot in May might come back flat in July.
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Depth matters more. Clubs with real bench options can survive the restart and the late-summer congestion.
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The July return becomes must-watch. ESPN noted MLS comes back July 16, with rivalry games used to kickstart attention right before the World Cup final.
If you only watch MLS casually, treat the season like two mini-seasons:
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Mini-season 1: Feb. 21–May 24
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Mini-season 2: July 16–Nov. 7
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| MLS 2026 Key Dates |
Watching MLS changes in 2026: Apple TV bundles everything
Starting in 2026, MLS is betting on simplicity: every regular-season match, playoffs, and major MLS events are included with an Apple TV subscription, and the standalone “MLS Season Pass” subscription ends after the 2025 season.
That’s a major shift from 2023–2025, when Season Pass was the separate add-on. For fans, it means:
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One subscription path (for most viewers), fewer “wait, which plan do I need?” conversations.
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More casual sampling, especially in a World Cup year when soccer curiosity spikes.
There may be a coverage feel-change too. Reporting indicates MLS is adjusting parts of its Apple broadcast operation in 2026, including scaling back some studio shows and Spanish-language broadcast staffing.
The end of 2026 is still a question mark (but we know the key marker)
MLS has confirmed the regular season ends on Nov. 7 and said the playoff schedule will be announced later.
At the same time, outlets like ESPN have reported an expected plan: playoffs beginning after the November FIFA window (with a cited start around Nov. 18). Consider that a strong indicator, but not the league’s final word until MLS publishes the full postseason calendar.
2026 is also the bridge to MLS’s next big calendar era
MLS has already announced it will shift to a new summer-to-spring style schedule starting with the 2027–28 season, including a midwinter break.
Why does that matter in 2026? Because this season is a transition-year vibe:
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New streaming model
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World Cup split
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A league preparing to rethink how its year is structured
That combination makes MLS 2026 feel less like “another season” and more like a turning page.
What to watch if you’re a fan in the US
If you want a smart, simple way to follow MLS 2026:
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Circle the restart (July 16). The first two weeks back can swing the playoff race.
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Treat August as chaos month. Leagues Cup runs Aug. 4–Sep. 6, right inside the late-season push.
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Plan for Decision Day (Nov. 7). Even neutral fans can enjoy the final-day table drama.
FAQs
When does MLS 2026 start and end?
Opening weekend is Feb. 21–22, and the regular season ends Nov. 7 (Decision Day).
How long is the World Cup pause?
MLS pauses from May 25 to July 16, resuming July 16–17.
How do I watch MLS in 2026?
MLS matches and major competitions are included with an Apple TV subscription, and the standalone MLS Season Pass ends after 2025.
When is Leagues Cup 2026?
It runs Aug. 4 through Sep. 6, 2026.
