MLS season structure: When does the season start and end?

A simple guide to the MLS season structure including when the season starts and ends and how the regular season and playoffs work.

Major League Soccer (MLS) follows a very different calendar to many leagues around the world, but once you know the basics, it’s easy to keep track of how the season unfolds. 

Understanding the MLS season structure helps explain when matches are played, how teams qualify for the playoffs, and why the season looks the way it does year after year. From the regular season opener to MLS Cup, the league is built around a clear structure that balances travel, the occasional interconference game, and a postseason finish.

When does the MLS season start?

The MLS season usually begins in late February or early March. Starting in early spring allows teams across the United States and Canada to avoid the worst winter conditions, especially in colder regions. 

From that point on, matches run consistently through spring and summer, before the regular season comes to a close in early fall.

How long is the MLS season?

The MLS season length is longer than many people expect. The regular season typically runs for around eight months, followed by a postseason that can extend into late November or early December.

Each team plays 34 regular-season matches. These are split between home and away games, with scheduling designed to reduce unnecessary travel where possible. Because of the league’s size and geography, schedules are carefully balanced across conferences.

Regular season format explained

MLS is divided into two conferences: Eastern Conference and Western Conference. During the regular season, teams play most of their matches against opponents from their own conference, with a smaller number of interconference games mixed in.

Points are awarded in a familiar way:

• Three points for a win

• One point for a draw

• Zero points for a loss

Conference standings determine playoff qualification and seeding, while overall standings are also tracked across the league. The team with the best regular-season record wins the Supporters’ Shield, which is treated as a major achievement and reflects consistency across the full season.

When do the MLS playoffs begin?

The MLS playoffs usually begin shortly after the regular season ends, often in late October. This marks the transition from a long, steady campaign to a high-pressure postseason.

A set number of teams from each conference qualify based on regular-season standings. Higher-seeded teams are rewarded with home-field advantage and, in some formats, a more favourable path through the bracket.

From this point on, every match is critical. 

How the MLS postseason works

The postseason follows a knockout-style format. Teams face elimination with each loss, which adds urgency and intensity to every round.

The playoffs progress through conference rounds until only one team remains from each conference. These two teams then meet in the MLS Cup, a single championship match that decides the league winner. 

If the MLS Cup ends level after regulation time, extra time and penalties are used to determine the champion.

Why MLS uses a playoff system

Playoffs are a central part of North American sports culture, and MLS is built with that expectation in mind. 

The regular season rewards consistency, while the postseason rewards teams that perform under pressure. This structure keeps more teams involved late into the year, reduces meaningless matches, and delivers a clear, dramatic conclusion to the season.

Teams that manage the regular season well give themselves advantages, but no one is guaranteed success once the playoffs begin, and that’s what makes it so compelling. 

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The MLS season structure is designed around balance. 

It accounts for climate, travel, and competitive fairness, while still delivering a clear postseason finish. The regular season tests consistency over months of play. The playoffs test performance when pressure is highest. Together, they define how champions are crowned in Major League Soccer.

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