AIWorldNewz.com

MLS 2026 Season Kicks Off with Messi’s Spectacle and World Cup Break

Source: MLS 2026 schedule: Key dates, Messi spectacles and World Cup-related tweaks - The Athletic (2025-11-21)

The 2026 Major League Soccer season promises an electrifying lineup of events, highlighted by Lionel Messi’s debut with Inter Miami and a schedule that aligns with the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Starting on February 21, the season features a marquee opening match between Inter Miami and LAFC, with Messi and Son Heung-Min set to face off at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—marking LAFC’s first game at this iconic venue. The season will run until November 7, with playoffs scheduled afterward, and will be the last on the current calendar before shifting to a European-aligned summer schedule in 2027. Notably, this season will be the first to broadcast on Apple TV outside the MLS Season Pass paywall, expanding accessibility for fans worldwide. The league will also take a seven-week pause to accommodate the FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across five MLS stadiums, with a record number of MLS players expected to participate. This strategic scheduling aims to maximize global viewership and player engagement, reflecting MLS’s growing international stature. Additionally, MLS is planning to introduce new technological innovations, including advanced VAR systems and enhanced fan engagement platforms, to elevate the viewing experience. The 2026 season is poised to be a landmark year for MLS, blending star power, global tournaments, and innovative broadcasting to solidify its position as a premier soccer league in North America and beyond.

More recent coverage