Major League Soccer will go through one of the biggest changes in the league’s history next summer when it moves to a summer-to-spring calendar, and with it will come a new look to its playoff system.
While MLS has remained tight-lipped about what the updated playoff format will look like, The Guardian reported on Thursday that the new-look playoffs could include some sort of “double elimination” component and include up to 20 clubs.
The outlet reported that the playoffs under the new calendar would begin in late April and play out over a three-week period, ending with the MLS Cup on May 21, 2028.
“Major League Soccer is continuing to evaluate potential adjustments to its postseason format as part of a broader review of the league’s shift to a new competition calendar, beginning with the 2027-28 season,” MLS told The Guardian in a statement. “This process remains ongoing, and no determinations have been made at this time.”
MLS is going through a massive overhaul as part of the calendar change, also introducing a new way to divide up its teams, changing from the current Eastern and Western Conference format to a five-division setup.
The 20 best clubs at the end of the season will make the playoffs, with eight taking part in a play-in round. The four teams that advance will be included in a field of 16 clubs.
The top eight clubs in the combined table at the end of the season would take part in a double-elimination round, and the winning teams would earn a direct bid to the quarterfinals.
The Guardian also reported that teams would be re-seeded after each round.
The format is similar to that of the way things are done in Australian rules football.
MLS has changed its playoff format several times over the course of the league’s existence.
