MLS 2026 Regular Season Kicks Off With Exciting Openers

MLS 2026 regular season action is set to ignite on February 21, as St. Louis CITY SC hosts Charlotte FC in a highly anticipated curtain-raiser. This match marks the start of a historic campaign packed with headline fixtures, big-name debuts, and the inauguration of Miami Freedom Park, heralding a transformative year for Major League Soccer.

MLS 2026 Regular Season: Key Dates and Opening Weekend

MLS 2026 regular season begins with an action-filled “MLS is Back” weekend, featuring 15 matches across North America. Fans can look forward to a host of marquee encounters. St. Louis CITY SC welcomes Charlotte FC to CITYPARK in the opening match, setting the tone for a season that promises drama and excitement from the very first whistle.

Adding to the anticipation, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF will clash with Son Heung-Min’s LAFC at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on opening day. Meanwhile, Thomas Müller makes his MLS debut with Vancouver Whitecaps FC against Real Salt Lake at BC Place. The combination of global superstars and new faces ensures that the 2026 season opener is unmissable for football fans worldwide.

Miami Freedom Park: Inter Miami’s New Era Begins

One of the biggest highlights of the 2026 MLS schedule is the long-awaited debut of Miami Freedom Park. Inter Miami CF will host Austin FC on April 4, inaugurating its new 25,000-seat stadium. The downtown-adjacent venue, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and expansive hospitality zones, replaces DRV PNK Stadium as Miami’s permanent home.

This opening is not just a milestone for Miami, but also a historic moment for the league. Miami Freedom Park is the first of three new stadiums set to open in consecutive years, with NYCFC’s Etihad Park following in 2027 and Chicago Fire FC’s new downtown stadium in 2028.

MLS Season Interruption for FIFA World Cup 2026

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the MLS 2026 regular season will pause from May 25 to July 16. This break allows players to join their national teams and ensures fans, venues, and cities can fully embrace the World Cup festivities. Notably, five MLS stadiums will serve as World Cup venues, supported by additional locations as training bases.

MLS resumes on July 16 and 17, immediately after the World Cup semifinals, with a slate of high-profile rivalry matches designed to ride the wave of post-World Cup excitement.

MLS 2026 Season Broadcasts: Global Streaming on Apple TV

A major innovation for the MLS 2026 regular season is the global broadcast partnership with Apple TV. For the first time, all 510 regular-season matches will be available to stream live in over 100 countries through Apple TV’s main platform — no local blackouts and no separate Season Pass needed. In addition, select matches will continue to air on the FOX family of networks in the United States and on TSN and RDS in Canada, ensuring broad access for all fans.

This move centralizes live MLS coverage and expands the league’s global footprint, making matches more accessible than ever before. For more news and comprehensive football updates, visit for more news.

What to Expect: Superstars, Stadiums, and Momentum

The 2026 campaign is shaping up to be a defining season for MLS. The presence of international icons like Messi, Son, and Müller raises the league’s global profile, while new stadiums and improved broadcasting ensure fans are closer to the action than ever before. The midseason World Cup break — a first for MLS — adds unique intrigue and opportunity for both players and supporters.

Opinion: A New Standard for MLS

The MLS 2026 regular season is poised to set a new standard for professional football in North America. The combination of world-class talent, state-of-the-art stadiums, innovative broadcasting, and integration with the global football calendar signals the league’s readiness to enter a new era. With such developments, this upcoming season could be a game-changer, attracting fresh audiences and cementing MLS’s role in the international football landscape.