MLS sets 14-game 2027 Sprint Season, opening February 19

Major League Soccer has announced a 14-game Sprint Season in 2027, a shortened campaign designed to bridge the league’s current calendar and its planned shift to a summer-to-spring schedule. Inter Miami is scheduled to host FC Cincinnati on February 19 to open the season. Each of the league’s 30 clubs will play seven home and seven away matches, facing only opponents from its own conference. The regular season is scheduled to end May 8, followed by a 16-team, single-elimination playoff tournament. The conference champions will meet in the 2027 MLS Cup, which is also scheduled for May. The opening fixture will be followed by 13 other matches over the opening weekend, according to the league’s announcement. Other featured games include the LA Galaxy hosting Los Angeles FC on April 10 in the El Tráfico derby. Decision Day on May 8 is set to include the Hudson River Derby, with New York City FC hosting the New York Red Bulls. The Sprint Season’s results will also determine qualification for five places in the 2028 Concacaf Champions Cup and 18 places in the Leagues Cup, according to one report detailing the competition implications. MLS says the abbreviated season will maintain...