MLS NEXT Pro has confirmed it will expand to 30 clubs for the 2026 season as part of a newly unveiled schedule that also features the league’s earliest start to date.
The league revealed key details of its 2026 calendar, outlining when the campaign will begin and how the season will be structured. The announcement marks another step in MLS NEXT Pro’s continued growth, with the competition set to add more teams and broaden its national footprint.
In addition to the expansion to 30 clubs, MLS NEXT Pro confirmed the 2026 season will start earlier than any previous edition, a change designed to reshape the timetable across the year.
Further schedule information was also released alongside the announcement, giving clubs and supporters an early look at the framework for the 2026 campaign as the league prepares for its largest season yet.
