Major League Soccer today announced the 2021 MLS season will begin on Saturday, April 3 and feature 34 matches for each of the league’s 27 clubs. MLS’ 26th regular season will conclude on MLS Decision Day, November 7, and the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs will begin November 19. MLS Cup will be played on Saturday, December 11.
Clubs will be permitted to open preseason training on February 22, six weeks prior to MLS is Back opening weekend. In accordance with MLS health and safety protocols, players will be required to quarantine and conduct individual trainings upon reporting back to their clubs.
The 2021 season will feature the debut of the league’s 27th club, Austin FC, and their new world-class stadium. MLS also will see the opening of two new soccer stadiums in Ohio this season for FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew SC. In addition to regular season matches, the 26th season will include the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, Campeones Cup, and Leagues Cup during the late summer window. MLS clubs also will participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship and Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League in 2021.
The league also anticipates dozens of players competing for their respective national teams in competitions such as FIFA World Cup qualifying, Concacaf Nations League Finals, the Concacaf Gold Cup, Copa América, the European Championship and the Summer Olympics.
With Austin FC joining MLS, the 2021 season will feature 27 clubs, 14 in the Eastern Conference and 13 in the Western Conference.
Western Conference Eastern Conference
Austin FC Atlanta United
Colorado Rapids Chicago Fire FC
FC Dallas FC Cincinnati
Houston Dynamo FC Columbus Crew SC
Sporting Kansas City D.C. United
LA Galaxy Inter Miami CF
Los Angeles Football Club Club de Foot Montreal
Minnesota United FC Nashville SC
Portland Timbers New England Revolution
Real Salt Lake New York City FC
San Jose Earthquakes New York Red Bulls
Seattle Sounders FC Orlando City SC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Philadelphia Union
Toronto FC
