Everything is set as we gear up for the exciting kickoff of the 2025 MLS season on Saturday, February 22. This year promises to be thrilling as the league introduces its 30th franchise, San Diego FC, in a high-energy MLS is Back weekend! The defending Supporters’ Shield champions, Inter Miami, will take center stage against New York City FC, while the spotlight will fall on San Diego FC’s debut match against the MLS Cup champions, LA Galaxy, on Sunday.
A Throwback to MLS’s Inception
As the league gears up to celebrate its 30th season, the 2025 regular season schedule pays homage to the inaugural MLS season from 1996. Mark your calendars for April 6, when the San Jose Earthquakes take on DC United in a thrilling rematch of the league’s very first game. Furthermore, on July 12, fans can witness a reunion of the original MLS Cup finalists as the LA Galaxy face off against DC United at Dignity Health Sports Park.
All-Stars Set to Shine in Austin
The energetic city of Austin will roll out the red carpet for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game at Q2 Stadium on Wednesday, July 23. Prior to the game, the Skills Challenge will ignite excitement on Tuesday, July 22, with announcements about participants and the All-Star opponent set to come in the following weeks.
This year, the MLS Rivalry Week will pack a punch, spanning two rounds: May 14-18. The action kicks off with St. Louis CITY SC hosting Sporting Kansas City, and on May 17, fans can expect a rivalry showdown featuring the Big Apple derby, where the New York Red Bulls will challenge New York City FC at Citi Field.
Adding to the West Coast rivalry, the Portland Timbers will host Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park, battling for the prestigious Cascadia Cup. The rivalry continues as Orlando City SC travels to Inter Miami, while LAFC heads to LA Galaxy for the iconic Clasico del Trafico.
New Season, New Competition Format
The new addition of San Diego FC means the 2025 MLS season will feature each team playing 34 games — 17 at home and 17 away. Clubs will compete against their conference rivals twice (28 games total) and face off against six different teams from the opposite conference.
Don’t forget, there will be a break from July 29 to August 31 as teams participate in the Leagues Cup. Not all teams will compete, creating an exciting competitive balance.
The Final Countdown: MLS Decision Day 2025
Circle Saturday, October 18, on your calendars for Decision Day 2025, which promises an electrifying lineup as all Eastern Conference games are set to kick off at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT, while Western Conference matchups commence at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The day will close with an interconference clash as New York City FC welcomes the Seattle Sounders in what promises to be a captivating end to the regular season.
Although the timing for the MLS Cup and playoff matches hasn’t been released yet, they are destined for November, with a likely finish in the first few days of December.
Tune In: MLS Broadcasts for 2025
For the 2025 season, every match (510 in total) will be broadcasted through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, accessible in over 100 countries. The platform will also showcase a match of the week on Sunday Night, featuring enhanced production quality.
Select matches will also be available on FOX networks in the U.S. and on TSN and RDS in Canada. FOX Sports will cover a total of 34 games, with 15 on FOX and 19 on FS1, ensuring that each broadcast includes Spanish-language coverage via FOX Deportes.
William covers the sports world with passion and precision — from transfer rumors to game-changing performances. With a sharp eye for trends and a love for bold storytelling, he brings fans closer to the action, one article at a time.
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