How does expansion work in MLS? New teams, new cities, and what comes next

A look at how MLS has grown from 10 teams to 30, how the expansion process works, what cities pay to join the league, and which cities could be next. Covers the business side of MLS growth in a way that is accessible to casual fans.

MLS started in 1996 with 10 teams and a lot of skepticism. Thirty years later it has 30 clubs, a $500 million entry fee, and a waiting list of cities that want in. The growth has been rapid, occasionally messy, and mostly successful. Here's how the expansion process actually works, how the MLS adds new teams, and where the league goes from here.

How MLS has grown from 10 teams to 30

The original 10 clubs were spread across the United States with hardly any of the geographic balance the league has since worked to achieve. Tampa Bay and FC Dallas (formerly Dallas Burn) were the only Southern representatives. The early years were also financially difficult, and by 2002, two clubs, Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion, had folded entirely.

From there the league rebuilt steadily. Toronto joined in 2007, becoming the first Canadian club and opening up a new market. Seattle arrived in 2009 and immediately reset expectations for what an MLS club could look like, averaging over nearly 31,000 fans per game in their debut season and showing that the right city with the right infrastructure could make soccer work at scale.

From 2005 to 2025, the league expanded rapidly, adding an average of one new team per season. Atlanta United arrived in 2017 and broke MLS attendance records. Inter Miami launched in 2020 and became one of the most globally recognised clubs in the league after Lionel Messi's arrival in 2023. San Diego FC became the 30th club when they debuted in 2025.

Seattle paid around $30 million to join in 2009 and San Diego FC paid a whopping $500 million in 2023, a record for the league at the time. The value of an MLS franchise has increased dramatically in a relatively short period, which reflects how much the league's commercial position has improved over the years.

What does it cost to get an MLS expansion team?

The process is more involved than simply paying a fee. Ownership groups must meet specific criteria, outlined in a detailed business plan submitted to MLS, including proof of financial stability, a solid stadium proposal, and a demonstrated local fan base.

If the application is promising, the group is invited to present to the MLS Board of Governors, which votes on whether to approve the bid. A successful application requires the support of at least two-thirds of the league's current team owners. Once approved, the ownership group pays the expansion fee and begins building the club ahead of their debut season.

New clubs can also benefit from the Expansion Draft, which allows them to select players from existing MLS rosters to build an initial squad before the SuperDraft and open market signings fill the rest of the gaps. It gives new clubs a head start rather than asking them to build from nothing in their first season.

For stadiums, MLS strongly prefers soccer-specific stadiums over shared venues, and a credible stadium plan is effectively a prerequisite for serious expansion bids. Several cities have had expansion discussions stall primarily because no viable stadium site could be agreed.

Which cities could join MLS next?

High on the list of potential cities are Detroit, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Sacramento, with Detroit, Las Vegas, and Phoenix being the last remaining major metropolitan areas in the United States without MLS teams. 

Indianapolis has also been mentioned repeatedly, with MLS commissioner Don Garber publicly expressing interest in the city's ownership dynamics and stadium possibilities. As of early 2026 there are no confirmed expansion plans beyond 30 teams, but Garber has been clear that the league will consider going further if the right market and the right ownership group emerge at the same time. 

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is widely expected to accelerate interest in the sport across North America and potentially make the case for expansion even stronger in the years that follow.

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MLS expansion is one of the more interesting ongoing stories in world football. A league that nearly collapsed in its early years is now turning away cities and charging half a billion dollars for entry. Whether it reaches 32 teams or stays at 30, the direction of travel is clear, it’s only up from here. 

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