Major League Soccer (United States) 2026/27

Major League Soccer stands as the premier professional football competition in North America, sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation. Unlike its regional counterparts, the league operates as a closed entity without promotion or relegation, distinguishing it sharply from the second-tier USL Championship. This structural difference ensures stability but removes the traditional sporting mechanism of movement between divisions.

The competition utilises a unique single-entity model where the league owns all teams and player contracts, while individual investors run the franchises. This arrangement was legally validated to maintain financial equilibrium and enforce strict salary cap mechanisms involving General and Targeted Allocation Money. The format divides the season into Eastern and Western Conferences, with clubs playing 34 regular-season matches. Playoffs involve 18 teams, where the top seven seeds in each conference advance directly to best-of-three series, while the eighth and ninth seeds contest a single-elimination "Wild Card" match.

Historical context highlights the league's evolution. Initial "Americanized" rules were eliminated after 1999, and the Designated Player Rule introduced in 2007 enabled high-profile signings. The LA Galaxy hold the record for titles, having won the MLS Cup six times. They remain the current reigning champions following their victory over the New York Red Bulls in the 2024 final. The league expanded to 30 teams with the addition of San Diego FC in 2025, bringing the total to 27 clubs in the United States and three in Canada.

Attendance figures and viewership numbers fluctuate annually, reflecting the sport's growing popularity in the region. The competition serves as a primary development ground for domestic talent alongside international imports. It continues to attract global attention through high-profile transfers and media rights deals. The absence of a relegation system remains a defining characteristic, separating it from football traditions elsewhere in the world.