MLS could be set for a major schedule overhaul by adopting a fall-spring calendar following the 2026 World Cup – with David Beckham's vision potentially coming to fruition.
Currently, America's leading soccer competition is played from February until late October, when the post-season MLS Cup playoffs are contested between 18 teams. However, this scheduling could be subject to reform in the next couple of years, according to The Athletic.
The proposed calendar would also mean that breaks would take place in the summer and winter, with the playoffs taking place in in April and May instead. It is hoped that an overhauled schedule could assist MLS clubs when it comes to "maximizing" activity in the transfer market.
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Speaking to the publication, MLS executive vice president of sporting product and competition Nelson Rodriguez remained coy on potential plans. However, he did divulge that conversations are ongoing over reform, saying: "We have been engaged, really, since January, and it’s been very extensive and exhaustive and deliberate.
"It’s still too early. We’re still asking questions. We’re still collecting and analyzing some data. We’re still formulating models. Some of those models are for formats themselves, some of those models are how to assess the information that we get."
Any hypothetical move towards a fall-spring calendar would bring MLS in line with major European leagues which currently follow that schedule. This would likely be music to the ears of Inter Miami co-owner Beckham, who has made no secret of his desire for MLS to compete with competitions such as the English Premier League.
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Speaking previously about his vision for the American league, the former LA Galaxy superstar said: "Do I think in the next 10 years it will challenge the European leagues? It’s what we all hope for. It’s what we will strive to commit to.
"This should never be a league where players from Europe come to retire," he continued as he described aspects of his blueprint. "That’s not where you want to be. It’s not where we want to be as owners, it’s not where we want to be as investors."
Meanwhile, fellow Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has also spoken with clear ambition when it comes to the potential that MLS has in terms of eventually challenging the European leagues in terms of standard and reputation. The tycoon has already outlined his plan for the next quarter of a century as he spoke of his vision.
He said: "I think it will be on par or exceed the best leagues in the world, the Premier League or Serie A or La Liga worldwide. I think that the MLS 25 years from now will be Premier League-ish if we want to call it that on the metrics that leagues are measured by."
