Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will open its new Miami Freedom Park stadium on April 4, 2026, with a home clash against Austin FC, as part of the 2026 Major League Soccer schedule.
The 2026 MLS season kicks off on February 21, 2026, with all clubs set to play 34 regular-season games before the campaign concludes on November 7.
The league will pause from May 25 to July 16 to accommodate the 2026 FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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MLS action will resume just before the World Cup final on July 19.
Matchday 1 on February 21 will feature 13 fixtures, including the season opener between Charlotte FC and St. Louis City SC.
Messi and Inter Miami will begin their campaign away to Son Heung-min’s Los Angeles FC at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum.
Throughout March, Inter Miami will be on the road with trips to Orlando, D.C. United, Charlotte, and New York City FC before finally making their highly anticipated home debut at the new 25,000-seat Freedom Park.
MLS will return from the World Cup break with four matches on July 16: Toronto at Montreal, Vancouver at Chicago, Kansas City at St. Louis, and Portland at Seattle, followed by Atlanta at Nashville and LAFC at the LA Galaxy the next day.
Charlotte will host the 2026 MLS All-Star Game on July 29.
After the regular season ends, MLS will observe the November FIFA international window before the playoffs begin.
Anthony Nlebem
Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.
