Major League Soccer is considering a major redesign of its postseason structure, according to several sources connected to the league and its clubs. The revised system could launch in 2028, coinciding with the move to an autumn-to-spring calendar, and may introduce a double-elimination stage with up to 20 participating teams. The sources requested anonymity because they did not have permission to discuss the proposals publicly.
One possible timetable has the postseason beginning in late April and continuing for approximately three weeks, with the MLS Cup final scheduled for Sunday, 21 May 2028. The new playoff model would accompany expected regular-season changes, replacing the Eastern and Western Conferences with five divisions.
The available postseason places may not be divided equally among those divisions. Instead, every club would be ranked in one overall table when the regular season concludes, and the leading 20 teams would qualify. The lowest eight qualifiers would enter a preliminary round, with four winners completing a 16-team field.
The highest-ranked eight clubs in the overall standings would compete in a double-elimination phase, potentially giving teams a stronger reason to perform consistently during the regular season. Winning the opening matchup would secure immediate passage to the quarter-finals. Teams could then be seeded again after every round, allowing the best-ranked remaining clubs to retain competitive benefits and home-field priority.
Major League Soccer has not publicly addressed the possible revisions.
Although unusual among professional sports competitions in the United States, the proposed system closely resembles the AFL model, used at the highest level of Australian rules football. That competition has operated a system known as the “double chance” for many years, and representatives from the two leagues have reportedly discussed how it works.
MLS has repeatedly revised its postseason structure since the competition began. During its early years, eight of 10 clubs advanced, with conference semi-finals and finals decided through best-of-three series. Further adjustments arrived in 2000, followed by additional changes as expansion and conference realignment continued. Two-leg ties were adopted in 2003, while a simpler single-elimination system was introduced in 2019.
After beginning its current broadcasting agreement with Apple TV in 2023, the league expanded the postseason to create more fixtures. The existing arrangement combines best-of-three series with single-elimination games and includes preliminary matches between the eighth- and ninth-ranked clubs in each conference. Although this produced additional televised games, supporters, coaches and players have all expressed dissatisfaction with the structure.
Other possibilities were also examined at the time, including a tournament modeled on the World Cup, where clubs would first compete in groups before progressing to a knockout phase.
MLS is preparing for a broad transformation following this summer’s World Cup. Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg has been selected as the league’s next commissioner and is expected to replace Don Garber next year. Major revisions to squad regulations are also under consideration. A shortened transitional campaign is planned for 2027, followed by a historic move to the international calendar and an autumn-to-spring season.
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