MLS is Back: A New Season Begins

Major League Soccer returns this weekend, opening another season that arrives with more global attention than ever before. What was once viewed primarily as a developmental league has steadily evolved into a competition capable of attracting established international names while continuing to develop domestic talent.

The league’s recent growth has been impossible to ignore. Since Lionel Messi’s arrival in 2023, MLS has experienced a noticeable surge in visibility, commercial momentum and international credibility. Importantly, the trend did not stop there — more high‑profile players have continued to arrive, and several new recognizable names join the league ahead of this season, reinforcing the sense that MLS is firmly on an upward trajectory.

Competitive balance remains one of the league’s defining characteristics. The salary structure and roster rules continue to produce parity across the standings, making year‑to‑year projections difficult and keeping the regular season unpredictable. Clubs are investing more aggressively in infrastructure, analytics and recruitment, further raising the baseline level of play.

Season Opener

The 2026 campaign officially begins Saturday night when St. Louis City SC host Charlotte FC at Energizer Park (9:30 pm kickoff). As is often the case with opening fixtures, the match serves more as a symbolic curtain‑raiser than a definitive early statement, but it marks the return of meaningful MLS action after the offseason pause.

With another long regular season ahead, the broader focus will quickly shift beyond opening night. The central question surrounding MLS is no longer whether the league is growing — but how far and how fast that growth can continue in the seasons to come.