Wednesday December 6, 2023

MLS Set To Return With Tournament Starting July 8

  • Fans will not be in attendance for the tournament’s matches.
  • When the tournament is completed on August 11, MLS is aiming to resume its regular season.
Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied
MLS tournament
Photo Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

MLS will officially restart its 2020 season on July 8 with a tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

All 26 clubs will begin arriving in Florida on June 24 to prepare for the ‘MLS Is Back Tournament,’ which will run through August 11. The event will include 54 total matches, which will be held nearly every day. Matches will be held at 9 am, 8 pm, and 10:30 pm ET, with the vast majority being played in the evening.

The MLS Players Association approved a proposal from the league on June 3 which opened the door for the tournament to be held, but also modified the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. That agreement, a contentious process that led MLS to threaten locking out the players, saw a number of economic concessions agreed to by the player base including a league-wide salary cut of 7.5% and a cap on performance and individual bonuses. The CBA was also extended an additional year through the 2025 season.

Group stage matches during the tournament will count in the MLS regular season standings and the winner of the tournament will receive a spot in the Concacaf Champions League. Players will also be able to earn bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool.

READ MORE: NWSL Stands to Gain Plenty of Exposure as First U.S. Team Sport Back

Fans will not be in attendance for the tournament’s matches. The league is expected to announce more details regarding the broadcasting of the event soon. ESPN is expected to produce the event, with that feed shared with other rightsholders. MLS said that the tournament’s broadcasts will “feature unique and experimental technologies, including virtual commercial displays, new camera positions, advanced audio and fan integration elements,” as well as additional access to players and coaches.

When the tournament is completed on August 11, MLS is aiming to resume its regular season in its home markets with a revised schedule. The league is also planning to hold its playoffs and MLS Cup championship game.

To ensure the safety of the players, the league has created a protocol that will ensure players are tested regularly. There will also be temperature screenings and questionnaires for Individuals traveling the tournament site or at the hotel or convention center where the players and staff will be staying. Players and coaches not on the field will also be required to wear masks.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NHL-Gary-Bettman

NHL's Projected Record Salary Cap Reflects Revenue Surge (and Resilience)

Increased media revenue, rising attendance fuel post-pandemic recovery.
ESPN Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith to ESPN: ‘I Want To Be Highest-Paid Talent’

With a No. 1 show, Stephen A. Smith wants to become number one in compensation.

Seminoles’ CFP Snub Opens New Front in Disney vs. Florida War

Florida lawmakers are already considering legislation to protest the College Football Playoff's exclusion of Florida State.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NCAA Opens Door to Athlete Compensation

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (December 2023)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid's president believes that soccer is losing ground.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.
manfred_at_microphone
August 19, 2021

MLB Owners Propose $100M Salary Floor

Major League Baseball owners have proposed a $100 million payroll minimum for MLB’s 30 teams and a lower luxury tax threshold.
nfl_logo
July 23, 2021

NFL to Players: Get Vaccinated or Pay the Price

The NFL's threatening to drop the financial hammer on un-vaccinated players and teams that cause forfeited games in 2021, according to memo.