Mls season preview: Garber’s letter, a streaming debut, World Cup pause and the key dates every fan needs

As Major League Soccer opens its 31st season, mls enters a landmark year framed by a commissioner’s letter and a coordinated broadcast rollout: a leaguewide streaming debut, the return of the FIFA World Cup to the region, and a schedule stacked with stadium openings, showcase events and a deliberate pause for the global tournament. Those developments shape why many teams and fan bases will see 2026 as pivotal.

Mls kickoff, streaming debut and opening weekend

The season launches with an unprecedented opening weekend: all 30 clubs will take the pitch for MLS is Back weekend on February 21 and 22, with 13 of the 15 season openers scheduled for Saturday. Every MLS match will be available on the league’s new global streaming platform, and subscribers in more than 100 countries and regions can enjoy access to every match with no blackouts.

The weekend is anchored by the debut of the new Walmart Saturday Showdown and the return of Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire. A marquee kickoff matchup between Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles FC is set for 9: 30 p. m. ET at the Coliseum, where more than 70, 000 fans are expected. The Sunday primetime game will see the LA Galaxy host New York City FC at 7 p. m. ET.

Commissioner Don Garber’s message and the World Cup effect

In a letter to the league, Commissioner Don Garber framed the return of the FIFA World Cup to North America as a seminal moment, driving unprecedented energy and momentum throughout MLS and the sport in the U. S. and Canada. In recognition of the World Cup, league play will pause in late May so fans, players and communities can fully experience the tournament.

All 13 World Cup host cities are home to MLS clubs. The league expects a record number of MLS players to represent their countries, and MLS stadiums and training facilities will host several of the world’s leading national teams. League play is scheduled to resume in the days leading up to the World Cup Final, a point the commissioner singled out as a moment when momentum behind the league will be especially strong.

Milestones: stadiums, All-Star, Leagues Cup, Decision Day and playoffs

Several marquee calendar items were highlighted for 2026: on April 4, Inter Miami CF will open Miami Freedom Park, identified as MLS’s newest soccer stadium. After the World Cup break, the MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime is scheduled to take place in Charlotte on July 29. Leagues Cup returns in August, renewing the rivalry with LIGA MX.

Decision Day is set for Nov. 7 and will set the stage for the postseason. That November will be followed by a month of uninterrupted Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs action, culminating in MLS Cup presented by Audi on Dec. 18.

Broadcast features, in-game production and fan tools

The new broadcast window introduces enhanced production elements. Walmart Saturday Showdown will spotlight a featured Saturday matchup and include production additions such as “Shot on iPhone” moments designed to deliver dynamic, close-up visuals. The Saturday Showdown premiere will be the LAFC vs Inter Miami kickoff at 9: 30 p. m. ET, live from the historic LA Memorial Coliseum.

Sunday Night Soccer will return as a weekly primetime showcase, starting Feb. 22 at 7 p. m. ET with the LA Galaxy vs New York City FC. Those primetime games will feature dedicated in-stadium pregame and postgame shows, enhanced production and bespoke graphics in English and Spanish across the regular season.

Fans are invited to use the league’s free sports app for iPhone to follow scores, stats, standings and favorite clubs. The app experience will allow navigation between scores and upcoming matches, exploration of play-by-play information, team stats, lineup details and live betting odds, and direct access to watch matches in the league’s streaming app. The sports app is described as syncing with favorites selected within the device’s My Sports experience and related apps. With iOS 18 and watchOS 11, the provided text on additional integrations is unclear in the provided context.

Rosters, stars and early narratives — why 2026 might be your team’s year

Player movement and star power were highlighted as narrative drivers: the kickoff weekend will feature global icons, including MLS MVP Lionel Messi and reigning MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF facing Son Heung-Min and LAFC. The season also spotlights new full-season entrants; Thomas Müller, identified as a Vancouver Whitecaps FC attacking midfielder and 2014 FIFA World Cup champion, joined his club last August and will begin his first full season in the league, a development he framed as an opportunity for fans worldwide to follow the journey on the streaming platform.

Given the compressed calendar of marquee events, the World Cup pause, a stadium opening and a new, uniform streaming home for every match, clubs will have multiple turning points to make 2026 their year. For club-specific schedules, the complete regular-season schedule can be found on the league’s official schedule page.

What to watch in the opening weeks

• Feb. 21–22: MLS is Back weekend; key match LAFC vs Inter Miami at 9: 30 p. m. ET at the Coliseum and LA Galaxy vs New York City FC at 7 p. m. ET.
• April 4: Inter Miami CF opens Miami Freedom Park.
• Late May: league pause for the FIFA World Cup.
• July 29: MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte.
• August: Leagues Cup returns; rivalry with LIGA MX highlighted.
• Nov. 7: Decision Day; playoffs follow, culminating in MLS Cup on Dec. 18.

These dates, broadcast changes and event milestones create a compressed, high-stakes arc for the season. Fans should expect a sustained run of landmark moments and new viewing options as clubs and players navigate a calendar unlike any other in league history.