MLS Unveils Sprint Season Schedule: A Fast-Paced Kickoff

Major League Soccer is gearing up for an exciting change as it announces its 'sprint season,' kicking off on February 19 in Miami. This fast-paced season will see the MLS Cup crowned during Memorial Day weekend at the end of May, promising a thrilling start to the year. This one-time format is part of the league's transition to a new calendar that aligns with global football seasons, set to take effect in the 2027-28 season. While MLS undergoes significant shifts, one tradition remains: Inter Miami will again host the opening match, welcoming FC Cincinnati to their home ground on the season's launch day. Fans can look forward to several standout fixtures, including a chilly Canadian Classique featuring Toronto FC against CF Montréal on February 28. The excitement continues with the Cascadia Derby, where the Seattle Sounders will face the Portland Timbers on April 4, and the Ohio rivalry known as the Hell is Real Derby, pitting FC Cincinnati against the Columbus Crew on April 24. In this sprint season, teams will compete exclusively against their conference rivals, resulting in a streamlined 14-game schedule with an equal number of home and away matches. Wednesdays will be sprinkled throughout the calendar to ensure everything fits, and teams will enjoy occasional bye weeks, with 17 matchweeks available. As is customary, the season will culminate on Decision Day, with all teams playing simultaneously on May 8. The top eight teams from each conference will advance to a single-elimination playoff format, culminating in the MLS Cup during the Memorial Day weekend from May 28-31. Fans can catch every single match, from the opening kickoff to the final whistle, streamed live on Apple TV without any local blackouts. This schedule also presents an opportunity for the league to experiment with late-winter games in colder climates, with Minnesota United starting their season a week later on February 28 against Seattle at 2 PM local time. Interestingly, CF Montréal will play just one of their first six games at home. Meanwhile, despite uncertainty about their future, the Vancouver Whitecaps remain a part of the action, with Thomas Müller confirming his commitment to the team for this sprint season.