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MLS Schedule Change | What You Need to Know

A Note From Shari Ballard Regarding the MLS Schedule Change

Hi Loons fans -

Earlier today, MLS’s Board of Governors approved a realignment of the league’s competition calendar: beginning in 2027, MLS’s regular season will kick off in July and run through April’s Decision Day, followed by the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup in May.

This is a significant change, and I’m sure you are wondering what it means for your experience as a fan, for our club and for the league. We believe that this shift supports the league’s long-term growth plan while also addressing concerns that many of us have experienced with the current calendar.

Here’s what that means in practical terms:

July/May Bookends – The season will start and end in warm-weather months.
Fewer Interruptions – Playoffs will run during the month of May without interruption.
Alignment with FIFA Global Calendar – The number of games occurring during international breaks will be minimized, reducing conflicts between our games and our players’ national team call-ups.
Alignment of our Primary Transfer Window – Our primary transfer window will now occur during our offseason, in alignment with top global leagues, making it easier to attract top talent and maximize return on outgoing players while giving new signings time to settle in before the season begins.

For cold-weather markets like ours, the league has taken a thoughtful approach to scheduling. Between a league-wide winter break in mid-December to early February and strategic schedule modeling, our total number of home games during the coldest months of November through February should be very similar to the current schedule, and those home games will be played at Allianz Field.

While any change brings challenges, we believe this realignment positions Minnesota United to take another step toward our vision: a world-class team with world-class players in a world-class league, wrapped around a world-class fan experience.

You can find more details and FAQs on our resources page linked below.

One final thought: MNUFC’s core values and commitments remain unchanged. We’re just as committed to winning. We’re just as committed to delivering an incredible gameday experience. And we’re just as committed to excellence: for our fans, our Season Ticket Members, our partners, and our community as a whole.

Thank you for being the best fans on the planet. We appreciate you very much.