MLS Eyes World Cup Boost as Commissioner Discusses Future

WHO:

AOL.com - MLS executive vice-president Dan Courtemanche stated, "The World Cup has now exposed millions of people to Major League Soccer."

The Washington Post - MLS commissioner Don Garber attended 15 matches during the World Cup.

LAFC - The Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) announced three marquee fall matches for the Mexican Men's National Team.

AOL.com - MLS executive vice-president Dan Courtemanche stated, "We're going to continue to capitalise on that momentum."

AOL.com - MLS commissioner Don Garber said, "I think we're looked at as the top, one of the top leagues commercially."

LAFC - Mexico's Men's National Team will face Colombia, Peru, and Chile in fall matches as part of the MexTour.

LAFC - Rafael Márquez will make his head coaching debut for Mexico against Colombia.

AOL.com - Son Heung-min joined Los Angeles FC in 2025 after a decade with Tottenham.

The Washington Post - MLS commissioner Don Garber attended 15 matches during the World Cup.

AOL.com - MLS executive vice-president Dan Courtemanche stated, "The World Cup has now exposed millions of people to Major League Soccer."

AOL.com - MLS commissioner Don Garber has overseen the league since 1999.

AOL.com - Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min, and David Beckham are featured in an advertising campaign for MLS.

Chattanooga Times Free Press - MLS has 30 teams, all of which have youth academies.

WHAT:

The Washington Post - MLS ticket sales are up 58% in the 40 days during and after the World Cup compared to the same period before the tournament.

The Washington Post - The 2026 MLS All-Star Game ended with a score of 4–3 in favor of the MLS side against Liga MX All-Stars.

Sports Illustrated - The 2026 MLS All-Star Game featured a halftime performance by Ciara, who performed her top hits, including "2 Step" and "Level Up."

LAFC - Mexico will face Colombia on September 26, Peru on September 29, and Chile on October 6 as part of the MexTour.

LAFC - Tickets for the MexTour matches will go on sale to the general public on August 5 at 10 a.m. (local).

AOL.com - The average age of new international players in MLS is now 23.8 years.

AOL.com - MLS ticket sales are up 62% across the league when comparing the 40 days pre-World Cup to the 40 days during and after the World Cup.

Sports Illustrated - The 2026 MLS All-Star Game featured a halftime performance by Ciara, who performed her top hits, including "2 Step" and "Level Up."

Sports Illustrated - The All-Star Game had a capacity crowd of 35,197, the largest attendance since 2018.

LAFC - Mexico will play Colombia on September 26, Peru on September 29, and Chile on October 6.

Sports Illustrated - The 2026 MLS All-Star Game had a capacity crowd of 35,197, the largest attendance since 2018.

Sports Illustrated - The 2026 MLS All-Star Game ended with a score of 4–3 in favor of the MLS side against Liga MX All-Stars.

Sports Illustrated - The All-Star Game had a capacity crowd of 35,197, the largest attendance since 2018.

Sports Illustrated - Ticket sales across MLS increased by 62% when comparing the 40 days pre-World Cup to the 40 days during and after the World Cup.

AOL.com - The advertising campaign "Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here" features Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min, and David Beckham urging new fans to check out MLS.

The Washington Post - MLS ticket sales increased by 58% during the 40 days surrounding the World Cup compared to the same period before the tournament.

The Washington Post - Robert Lewandowski joined the Chicago Fire, and Antoine Griezmann joined Orlando City.

AOL.com - The league is offering free tickets to new fans as part of its campaign.

Chattanooga Times Free Press - MLS ticket sales increased by 58% during the 40 days surrounding the World Cup.

AOL.com - There were 45 MLS players represented at the World Cup, including Messi and Rodrigo de Paul.

The Washington Post - 43 players in the World Cup were developed in MLS academies.

The Washington Post - The 2026 World Cup featured 48 teams, an increase of 16 teams from the previous tournament.

WHERE:

LAFC - Mexico will play Colombia at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, marking the first-ever MexTour stop in Baltimore.

LAFC - Mexico will face Peru at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

LAFC - Mexico will battle Chile at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

LAFC - Mexico will face Colombia at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 26, marking the first-ever MexTour stop in Baltimore.

LAFC - Mexico will play Peru at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, on September 29.

LAFC - Mexico will battle Chile at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 6.

AOL.com - Major League Soccer is based in the United States.

The Washington Post - The MLS All-Star Game was held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

WHEN:

The Washington Post - The full 2027-28 MLS season will kick off in July 2027, with playoffs and the league championship game scheduled for May 2028.

The Washington Post - MLS will play a shortened 14-game season in early 2027 before transitioning to a summer-to-spring calendar.

LAFC - The MexTour matches are scheduled for September 26, September 29, and October 6.

LAFC - Tickets for the MexTour matches will go on sale to the general public on August 5 at 10 a.m. (local).

The Washington Post - MLS will play a shortened 14-game season in early 2027 before transitioning to a summer-to-spring calendar.

The Washington Post - The full 2027-28 MLS season will kick off in July 2027, with playoffs and the league championship game scheduled for May 2028.

Chattanooga Times Free Press - After the current MLS season, the league will transition to a summer-to-spring calendar.

The Washington Post - The full 2027-28 MLS season will kick off in July 2027, with playoffs and the league championship game scheduled for May 2028.

The Washington Post - MLS will play a shortened 14-game season in early 2027.

WHY:

The Washington Post - MLS is adjusting roster rules and the salary cap to enhance competitiveness on the global stage.

LAFC - The MexTour aims to reconnect fans with the Mexican Men's National Team following their World Cup run.

Chattanooga Times Free Press - MLS is preparing for the departure of commissioner Don Garber, who has overseen the league since 1999.

LAFC - The MexTour aims to reconnect fans with the Mexican Men's National Team following their World Cup run.

The Washington Post - MLS is adjusting roster rules and the salary cap to enhance competitiveness on the global stage.

AOL.com - The World Cup has created a surge in interest for Major League Soccer, prompting the league to capitalize on this momentum.

Chattanooga Times Free Press - The changes in MLS are aimed at making the league more competitive on the global stage.

HOW:

The Washington Post - MLS is developing youth players through its MLS Next program and academies, with a focus on improving talent development.

The Washington Post - MLS is adjusting roster rules and the salary cap to enhance competitiveness on the global stage.

Sports Illustrated - The MLS All-Star Game featured a pre-match team walkout with giant flags and fire displays, along with a halftime performance by Ciara.

Sports Illustrated - The All-Star Game included a pre-match team walkout with giant flags and fire displays, along with a halftime performance by Ciara.

The Washington Post - MLS is developing youth players through its MLS Next program and academies, with a focus on improving talent development.

AOL.com - MLS is changing its calendar to align with European leagues, making it easier for players to transition between leagues.

The Washington Post - MLS is developing more skilled players through its MLS Next program and academies.

MLS executive vice-president Dan Courtemanche highlighted that the World Cup has introduced millions to Major League Soccer, and ticket sales have surged by 58% during the 40 days surrounding the tournament. In a thrilling match, the 2026 MLS All-Star Game concluded with a score of 4 to 3 in favor of the MLS side against Liga MX All-Stars, featuring a halftime performance by Ciara showcasing her hits like "2 Step" and "Level Up." Looking ahead, the full 2027-28 MLS season is set to kick off in July 2027, with playoffs and the league championship game scheduled for May 2028, as the league continues to enhance its competitiveness globally through roster adjustments and youth development programs.