Major League Soccer is back in action after a six‑week hiatus caused by the 2026 World Cup, with six fixtures lined up for July 16 and 17 across the United States and Canada.
The league is already looking ahead to 2027, when it plans to adopt a fall‑to‑spring calendar, branding the upcoming campaign a “sprint season” of 14 games followed by a single‑elimination playoff.
Among the storylines, Robert Lewandowski is slated to make his MLS debut for the Chicago Fire on July 16, while Antoine Griezmann joins Orlando City, a club currently hovering three points outside the playoff bracket.
Rivalries and Betting Outlook
Key rivalries will be on display, including the Cascadia derby between Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders and the cross‑city clash known as El Trafico between the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC.
Betting markets have already positioned Inter Miami as the favorite to capture the 2026 championship, according to odds from BetMGM, while the MLS All‑Star Game is scheduled for July 29, the Leagues Cup runs from August 4 to September 6, and the MLS Cup final is set for December 18.