• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 25, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Garber: MLS ‘In Competition’ With Leagues As Schedule Decision Looms

MLS is kicking off its season, which may get a new timeline as early as next year. League commissioner Don Garber says the current schedule increases soccer’s competition with other top leagues.

Dec 6, 2024; Carson, California, USA; MLS commissioner Don Garber gives the State of the League Address at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The MLS season starts this weekend, as the league grows to 30 teams, who will compete for the next nine months before a champion is crowned in December.

That could change as early as 2026, with MLS deliberating the pros and cons of a permanent schedule shift to run on the traditional fall-to-spring calendar that global soccer uses. If that happens, MLS would likely restart its 2026 season in August after the FIFA World Cup that will be played in North America.

“All of us are looking for different moments to be able to keep fans’ attention,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said in an interview with Front Office Sports this week.

Right now, MLS starts its season shortly after the Super Bowl, but its playoffs take place in the fall during the NFL’s regular season. “We’re actually in competition with the other major leagues even more now,” Garber said.

While the clock is ticking, MLS is open to all options. “The most important part of any league’s competition is your playoffs and your final, and we’re right smack in the busiest time in the major leagues and that’s part of our decision-making,” Garber said. “Do we move it to May? Do we move it to June? So, we have to figure all that out.”

Expansion Not Done

With the launch of the expansion franchise San Diego FC, MLS joins the NBA and MLB at 30 clubs each. The NFL has 32, as does the NHL, which is exploring options to grow even larger.

What number will MLS land on? “At 20 I thought we’d never get to 22—22 I never thought we’d get to 24, and on and on,” Garber said. “I don’t know the answer to that.” Still, there appears to be a fast-approaching ceiling. “I’ve given up predicting when MLS will stop expanding,” he said. “But it’s hard to imagine you would get past 32.”

San Diego’s ownership group paid a $500 million expansion fee, which is evidence of the value MLS provides. “The original investment was a couple million dollars in 1996 and averaging now almost $700 million,” Garber said of franchise valuations.

“The good news is there’s a return on their investment,” he added. “Whether there’s a team sale or a limited sale, over the last number of years, people who put money into MLS teams get a good return.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Fines 100 Players, Dozens of Team Employees for Super Bowl Ticket..

No individuals have been named in the ongoing investigation yet.

MLS Suspends Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba for Skipping All-Star Game

The league enforces its existing policy on its biggest star.

Prospective Rays Owner Must Start Fresh As $1.3B Stadium Deal Ends

St. Petersburg, Fla., officials formally terminate a prior ballpark agreement.

Eagles Turn to Their Fans As They Consider Future Stadium Plans

The defending Super Bowl champions are surveying season-ticket holders.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
CJ McCollum

CJ McCollum Calls NBA CBA He Helped Negotiate ‘Not Perfect’ 

McCollum was the NBA players’ union president from 2021 until June 2025. 
Michael Johnson
exclusive
July 24, 2025

Michael Johnson Says Investor Pulling Out Caused Grand Slam Track’s ‘Major, Major..

The investor walked away from an eight-figure term sheet, a source says.
Jan 21, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (33) and goaltender Carter Hart (79) watch from the bench against the Ottawa Senators during the third period at Wells Fargo Center.
July 25, 2025

NHL, NHLPA at Odds Over Five Acquitted Players From Hockey Canada Trial

The league is indefinitely barring the players despite the judge’s acquittal.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 24, 2025

Sophie Cunningham Fined $500 for Criticizing WNBA Refs on TikTok

The Indiana Fever star has more than 1.5 million followers on TikTok.
Nov 30, 2024; London, England; United states midfielder Lindsey Horan (10) with an overhead kick to shoot on gaol under pressure from England substitute Nikita Parris England defender Leah Williamson (5) and England defender Lucy Bronze (2) in the first half of an International friendly at Wembley Stadium.
July 24, 2025

WSL Extends Test of Alcohol in Stands Through Next Season

Attendance was up during the trial.
July 23, 2025

MLS Commissioner: Fall-to-Spring Schedule Shift Is Too Big to Rush

The league does not shift its schedule to the global standard.
Matt Corral
July 23, 2025

UFL Relocating Four Ex-USFL Teams to New Cities: Reports

The league called reports of moving half its franchises “unauthorized speculation.”