Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT to MLS first teams.
MLS NEXT Pro continues to grow the game through innovation and inclusion, bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field.
MLS NEXT Pro enters its fifth season in 2026 with 30 teams, 27 MLS-affiliated and three independent, Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, and CT United FC. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead, including Cleveland, Jacksonville Armada FC, AC Grand Rapids, and The Island F.C..
The Season: MLS NEXT Pro will shift its competition calendar to a Summer-to-Spring season to align with top global soccer leagues and Major League Soccer. The shift will begin with a transitional Sprint Season, running February to May 2027, followed by the first full Summer-to-Spring Season, which will run from July 2027 to June 2028.
How the Calendar Shift Will Work
- 2027 Sprint Season (February 2027-May 2027) As a transition from the current calendar to the new Summer-to-Spring calendar, MLS NEXT Pro will feature an initial Sprint Season, which will carry the weight of a traditional season. Every club will play 14 regular season matches, running mid-February through late April, followed by four rounds of Playoffs and concluding with MLS NEXT Pro Cup in late May.
- 2027-28 Summer-to-Spring Season (July 2027-June 2028) The shift to the Summer-to-Spring Season will begin with the 2027-28 season, kicking off in July 2027 and ending with MLS NEXT Pro Cup in June 2028, including a winter break. The regular season will consist of 28 matches per club, with the first half taking place from mid-July through mid-December. A winter break will be followed by the second half of the season, from early February through early May. The ensuing Playoffs will culminate with MLS NEXT Pro Cup in early June.
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