Major League Soccer ruled out switching to an international-style calendar before 2027 while it continued studying the move.
The league’s Board of Governors approved a second phase of talks covering the calendar, regular season and playoff format.
MLS pushes any change beyond the World Cup
MLS traditionally starts in February and ends with the championship match in December. Most major European leagues run from August to May.
Officials had considered changing soon after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The board’s decision delayed that possibility by at least one year.
“This next phase will include additional consultation with key stakeholders and the development of a comprehensive transition plan,” MLS said.
Weather remains the biggest obstacle
The league’s 30 clubs operate across several time zones and sharply different winter climates.
A March match in Minnesota highlighted the concern when two Real Salt Lake players were withdrawn at half-time because of the conditions.
Commissioner Don Garber said MLS had not secured all the support needed and described a calendar change as one of the biggest decisions in league history.
Transfer market strengthens the case for change
Supporters of the proposal argued that aligning with Europe would make recruitment easier. The MLS winter window currently falls in the middle of the European season.
FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan had said that mismatch made it harder for clubs to sign their preferred players.
Garber said the league had considered similar changes in 2004, 2005, 2014 and 2015, but the increasingly crowded summer schedule had made the issue more urgent.
