MLS Exploring Schedule Shift To Mirror International Calendar. What Could It Mean For RSL?
Apr 12, 2025, 3:44 PM | Updated: 4:57 pm
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 8: An MLS logo is displayed an LED advertising boards prior to the match between New York City FC and Orlando City at Yankee Stadium on March 8, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images)
(Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- The MLS Board of Governors was in Chicago on Thursday to vote on several possible changes to the league and its structure, including the league schedule and potential switch to a calendar that would put the start of the season at the end of July or beginning of August and the end in late May or early June.
The Board approved a move forward into a second investigative phase to further explore the change, but the league did clarify that any switch wouldn’t happen until 2027, as opposed to following the 2026 World Cup.
A statement from Major League Soccer. pic.twitter.com/xS5FNjjcry
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) April 10, 2025
What Exactly Would Change For Real Salt Lake And The MLS?
Right now, the MLS calendar begins at the end of February and runs until the middle of October for teams who do not make the MLS Playoffs. The playoff tournament then creeps into December until a champion is crowned. The current schedule finds some low-temperature or snow games at the very beginning and very end of the season in some climates, but with the bulk of games being played in the spring, summer, and fall, extreme weather conditions are generally avoided.
The new proposed format would have regular season play starting at the end of July/beginning of August with a five-week break from mid-December to February, and then the end of the regular season landing around late May/early June.
What This Could Mean For Cold Weather Clubs
While this switch would finally align the MLS timeline with the rest of the major leagues around the world, including transfer windows and international breaks, it could be detrimental for clubs like Real Salt Lake who play in cold weather climates, since more games would be played during the winter months as opposed to the summer.
In 2025, Real Salt Lake will only play four games in the winter according to the official calendar start/end of the season, a number that would jump by a significant margin if the changes were to be implemented.
While the shift would certainly have an effect on the Clarret-and-Cobalt, there are other clubs that could have it worse. According to U.S. Climate Data, Minneapolis, home of Minnesota United FC, averages a high of 27 degrees Fahrenheit through December, January, and February, with 33 inches of snowfall across those months, and while Allianz Field does have a canopy, it wouldn’t mean much when it comes to low temperatures and wind.
Minnestoa United is also only one example of a team that might suffer from the change. Other clubs like Toronto FC, CF Montréal, and Sporting Kansas City are other teams that face frigid winter temperatures in outdoor stadiums.
For those clubs and others, what used to be a string of warm summer games for fans and families to enjoy could turn into a stretch of home games at sub-freezing temperatures, making for a less desirable fan experience that could plummet ticket sales.
Next Steps For The MLS
According to the post on X from MLS Communications, “This next phase will include additional consultation with key stakeholders and the development of a comprehensive transition plan.”
Next Up For Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake will take on Nashville SC in Tennessee tonight at 6:30 p.m. MT. Tune in on the MLS Season Pass.
