General MLS Discussion

[ZYanksRule]

So if this starts in the fall of 2026 post World Cup for the 2026/27 season…what happens during the first part of 2026 pre-World Cup?

Sounds like it won't start until the following season now, but they were talking about doing some sort of spring competition -- sort of an MLS is Back type event -- to fill the time between December and the start of the 2027-28 season in July.

But Garber also gave a quote that seemed to indicate they don't currently have the support to make the change, so it may not happen after all.

 

[Joe_Cos]

Sounds like it won't start until the following season now, but they were talking about doing some sort of spring competition -- sort of an MLS is Back type event -- to fill the time between December and the start of the 2027-28 season in July.

But Garber also gave a quote that seemed to indicate they don't currently have the support to make the change, so it may not happen after all.

So there has to be 8 no votes, Minnesota, and RSL for Weather, Columbus as it would be fighting Ohio State for fans, Atl, Seattle and NE as they would be have to deal with MLS logos on their field.

 

[Seth]

the start of the 2027-28 season in July

This is all totally predictable. They're holding the seaon change back a bit to make sure we'll have enough time to finish building our stadium. Simples!

 

[Marito]

So there has to be 8 no votes, Minnesota, and RSL for Weather, Columbus as it would be fighting Ohio State for fans, Atl, Seattle and NE as they would be have to deal with MLS logos on their field.

I pray to the soccer gods it doesn't happen. I think it would be catastrophic for the league, just the visuals of truly empty stadiums in sub-freezing weather for an advantage to the business model that the casual fan cannot perceive.

 

[ZYanksRule]

I pray to the soccer gods it doesn't happen. I think it would be catastrophic for the league, just the visuals of truly empty stadiums in sub-freezing weather for an advantage to the business model that the casual fan cannot perceive.

Agreed. The league already made one major mistake in moving to Apple, thinking they were bigger than they are and thinking their viewers would follow. Now they're trying to make 18 of their 30 teams play the majority of the season in cold weather, and they think they are big enough that their fans will bundle up to go to an early-season game in December.

If they are wrong, they run the risk of destroying the league.

 

[Joe_Cos]

Agreed. The league already made one major mistake in moving to Apple, thinking they were bigger than they are and thinking their viewers would follow. Now they're trying to make 18 of their 30 teams play the majority of the season in cold weather, and they think they are big enough that their fans will bundle up to go to an early-season game in December.

If they are wrong, they run the risk of destroying the league.

Those February games are going to be absolute murder. Hey MLS fans we shut the league down for six weeks, now come out when it’s 4 degrees with windchill at 7:30pm on a Saturday. It’s going to be so cold the beer taps are going to be frozen.