Major League Soccer has instituted a significant change to its scheduling format, and it could have a huge impact on Chicago Fire FC fans.
Under a proposal that was approved on Thursday, the league will transition to a summer-to-spring scheduling format, mirroring the top leagues in countries like the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and others.
Currently, MLS uses a format that runs from late winter into the early fall in the same calendar year, but after a transitionary 14-game schedule early in 2027, the league will adopt its new scheduling format full-time in the 2027-28 season.
“The calendar shift is one of the most important decisions in our history,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “Aligning our schedule with the world’s top leagues will strengthen our clubs’ global competitiveness, create better opportunities in the transfer market, and ensure our Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take center stage without interruption. It marks the start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America.”
Under the new format, the schedule will get underway in late July, and will run until May of the following year.
The league will also build in a “winter break” into the schedule, running from roughly mid-December to mid-February, according to a press release from the league.
That shift in format will mirror that of other competitions, including La Liga and Bundesliga, and will allow for cold-weather teams, including Chicago Fire FC, to try to some of the worst winter weather in their respective locations.
“The beauty of MLS is how it has evolved over the years, and another step in that evolution is aligning with the top leagues in the world. Moving to an international calendar helps position MLS on par with the best,” Chicago Fire FC head coach Gregg Berhalter said in a statement.
Other changes to the league could be coming by the time the new scheduling format emerges, including potential changes to the MLS Cup Playoffs format, according to MLS officials.
No other information on the scheduling was immediately available.
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