MLS Season 2026

MLS Overview 2026

Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top professional men's soccer league in the United States and Canada.

Founded in 1993 as a condition of the United States hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup, MLS began play in 1996 with 10 teams. It has grown steadily into a 30-team league (27 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada) divided into the Eastern and Western Conferences (15 teams each).

2026 Season

The 2026 season is the league's 31st. The regular season runs from late February to early November, with each team playing 34 matches (mostly against conference opponents).

The top teams from each conference advance to the MLS Cup Playoffs, culminating in the MLS Cup championship match (scheduled for December 18, 2026). The team with the best overall regular-season record wins the Supporters' Shield.

MLS operates under a single-entity structure with a salary cap and the Designated Player rule (allowing teams to sign high-profile stars outside the normal salary restrictions). It is currently transitioning: 2026 is the final full spring-to-fall season. Starting in 2027, the league will shift to a summer-to-spring calendar (closer to European leagues), with a shortened transitional season in early 2027.

Inter Miami CF entered 2026 as the reigning MLS Cup champions (2025 winners).

Clubs

LA Galaxy

Record holders with the most MLS Cups (6 titles). One of the original 10 teams and a historic powerhouse.

Inter Miami CF

Current champions and the league's highest-valued club (approximately $1.45 billion). Home to Lionel Messi and a major commercial force.

Los Angeles FC (LAFC)

Consistently one of the strongest and most valuable clubs in recent years.

Atlanta United FC

Known for massive attendances and rapid success after joining in 2017.

Seattle Sounders FC

Highly successful with multiple titles, strong fan support, and Concacaf Champions Cup success.

Other notable clubs include Columbus Crew (multiple champions), DC United, New York City FC, FC Cincinnati, Nashville SC, and Portland Timbers.

Many of these clubs now feature international stars and draw large, passionate crowds.

International Talent

Aside from Messi, Major League Soccer features several internationally renowned players, including Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, who plays alongside Messi at Inter Miami CF together with former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder Carlos Casemiro.

South Korean star Son Heung-min is a marquee forward for Los Angeles FC, joining from Spurs, while Argentine midfielder and World Cup 2022 winner Rodrigo De Paul (previously with Valencia, Atletico, Atletico) also moved to Inter Miami after a successful career in European football.

German 2014 World Cup winner Thomas Müller plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Canada, and former France captain Hugo Lloris is the keeper for Los Angeles FC. Belgian international striker Christian Benteke was at D.C. United before a move to the UAE Pro League.

Stadium Capacities

Stadium Capacities (2026 MLS configurations)

Most MLS teams now play in soccer-specific stadiums (typically 18,000-30,000 seats). Some share large multi-purpose venues with reduced capacities for soccer. Approximate figures:

Team	Stadium	Capacity (MLS config)	Notes
Atlanta United	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	42,500	Full capacity ~71,000
Charlotte FC	Bank of America Stadium	38,000	Full capacity ~75,000
Seattle Sounders	Lumen Field	37,722	Full capacity ~68,000+
San Diego FC	Snapdragon Stadium	35,000	-
Nashville SC	Geodis Park	30,000	One of the largest soccer-specific
New York City FC	Yankee Stadium / Citi Field	~28,000-42,000	Shared venues
Toronto FC	BMO Field	28,351	-
LA Galaxy	Dignity Health Sports Park	27,000	Soccer-specific
Inter Miami CF	Nu Stadium	26,700	New in 2026
FC Cincinnati	TQL Stadium	26,000	Soccer-specific
Orlando City SC	Inter&Co Stadium	25,500	-
Portland Timbers	Providence Park	25,218	Historic
New York Red Bulls	Sports Illustrated Stadium	25,000	-
Houston Dynamo	Shell Energy Stadium	22,039	-
Los Angeles FC	BMO Stadium	22,000	Soccer-specific
St. Louis City SC	Energizer Park	22,423	-
Austin FC	Q2 Stadium	20,738	-
Real Salt Lake	America First Field	20,213	-
D.C. United	Audi Field	20,000	-
Columbus Crew	ScottsMiracle-Gro Field	~20,000	-
Vancouver Whitecaps	BC Place	22,000	54,500
Many others	Various soccer-specific	18,000-20,000	e.g., Allianz Field, Subaru Park, etc.

Notes: Capacities for shared NFL/multi-purpose stadiums are often reduced for a better soccer atmosphere. Inter Miami opened its new Nu Stadium in 2026. New stadiums for New York City FC (2027) and Chicago Fire (2028) are under construction.

MLS has invested heavily in modern soccer-specific venues and infrastructure, contributing to rising attendance and the league's growth alongside the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.