Major League Soccer (MLS) has unveiled its complete schedule for the 2024 regular season, marking the league’s 29th season. The season will commence with a historical early start, featuring a standalone match on Wednesday, February 21, where eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and the reigning Leagues Cup champions Inter Miami CF will host Real Salt Lake at DRV PNK Stadium.
The opening week, dubbed “MLS is Back,” will continue with 14 matches scheduled for Saturday, February 24, and Sunday, February 25. A notable matchup includes the LA Galaxy hosting Inter Miami CF on Sunday, February 25 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The 2024 season will see all matches broadcasted on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, making it the first global streaming service to offer every match of a professional league in a dedicated destination. This service is available in over 100 countries and regions, offering expansive and accessible programming without blackouts. Additionally, MLS Season Pass will feature exclusive on-demand content, including MLS 360 and MLS Wrap-Up, providing comprehensive matchday coverage in English and Spanish.
Moreover, select MLS matches will also be available on FOX Sports in the U.S., and on TSN and RDS in Canada. FOX Sports will air 34 games in the U.S., including matches in both English and Spanish on FOX Deportes.
The format for the 2024 season involves each team playing 34 regular season games, evenly split between home and away matches. Eastern Conference clubs will face each Eastern Conference opponent twice, along with six matches against select Western Conference teams. Similarly, Western Conference teams will play each opponent in their conference twice, with additional matches against one or two intra-conference opponents, and six to seven matches against Eastern Conference teams.
The 2024 MLS All-Star Game, presented by Target, is set for July 24 in Columbus, Ohio. This event promises a week full of soccer events, music, interactive fan experiences, and community-focused activities.
The 2024 MLS Rivalry Week will span from May 11-18, featuring key matchups like the reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew hosting in-state rival FC Cincinnati, and the Portland Timbers facing Seattle Sounders FC. Other rivalry matches include Orlando City SC against Inter Miami CF and the Canadian Classique between Toronto FC and CF Montréal.
Another highlight of the season is the El Tráfico match between LA Galaxy and LAFC at the Rose Bowl on July 4, following its record-setting attendance in the previous season. Additionally, a rematch of the 2023 MLS Cup will see Columbus Crew facing LAFC on July 13.
The Leagues Cup will return in 2024, featuring a World Cup-style competition between all LIGA MX and MLS teams. The tournament, which begins on July 26 and concludes on August 25, will maintain three berths to the Concacaf Champions Cup, with the Leagues Cup champion directly qualifying for the Round of 16.
MLS Decision Day 2024, marking the final matchday of the regular season, is scheduled for October 19. This day will feature crucial matches with postseason implications, with Eastern Conference matches starting at 6 p.m. ET and Western Conference matches at 9 p.m. ET.
Finally, the season will culminate with the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, leading to the MLS Cup on December 7. The championship match hosting rights will be awarded to the team with the better regular season record.
