MLS Sprint Season Schedule – What You Need to Know
Once the 2026 Major League Soccer season concludes in December, and before a new schedule structure starts in July, MLS is wedging in a Sprint Season. Here’s what that means for the Vancouver Whitecaps fans:
MLS Sprint Season | Regular Season | Save the Caps
MLS Sprint Season
The one-time MLS Sprint Season will start in February 2027, bridging the gap between the end of the 2026 season and the beginning of the 2027-28 MLS Regular Season. The fast-paced, high-stakes campaign will culminate with the 2027 MLS Cup presented by Audi in May, 2027.
Standings will determine qualification and seeding for the 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs and will crown a Supporters’ Shield winner and MLS Cup champion.
Whitecaps Season Ticket Members have the opportunity to opt-in to the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, while current 2026 MLS Regular Season Memberships will automatically renew for the 2027-28 MLS Regular Season.
MLS 2027-2028 Regular Season
Starting in July, the 2027-2028 will have a traditional MLS season format, with clubs competing across a full regular season schedule. Standings will determine qualification and seeding for the 2028 MLS Cup Playoffs, with the top overall team earning the league’s Supporters’ Shield.
This acts as the first full season under MLS’s new summer-to-spring calendar, aligning the league with the world’s top leagues. It strengthens the club’s position in the global transfer market and reduces FIFA international window conflicts.
Stadium Seating Impacts on Supporters
A few other changes include the restructuring of the supporters’ section in BC Place. Previously there was a smaller General Admission section in 253 with a wider area for optional standing and flag waving across all of the south-end of the stadium, sections 248 to 206.
Starting in 2027, the GA is expanding to include parts of sections 254 and 252 with the entire supporters area designated between 251 to 204, which is smaller than before. Some supporters with reserved seats are now in the GA area, and others who were in the standing area are no longer technically in the supporters’ section. Supporters groups are in contact with the team to inquire about their status and what this means to their members.
Save the Caps
There has been no movement on the sale of the ‘Caps, which have been entertaining offers since December 2024. They have renewed their BC Place lease until the end of the 2027 Sprit Season.
Tail End of the 2026 Season
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS 15W-6L-5D, 50 points) are currently at the top of the Western Conference with a three point advantage as well as a game in hand over second-placed sides St. Louis CITY SC and FC Dallas. They’re are also 10 points back of Supporters’ Shield leaders Nashville SC, with a game in hand.
The ‘Caps will look to build on their lead at the top of the West when they visit Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire FC (MLS 12W-8L-6D, 42 points) on Tuesday, October 6. Kickoff from Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois is scheduled for 5:30pm. Watch on Apple TV or listen on CKNW online or 101.1 HD3.
There are just two regular season home matches left on October 28 vs San Diego and Seattle on November 1st and tickets are available now.
On September 26, Whitecaps FC welcomed a crowd of over 20,000 fans to BC Place for the 26th consecutive MLS match, the sixth home match of the season over 25,000, and the 10th crowd of the season over 23,000. They have opened the upper bowl for the Seattle match on November 1st.
Late in September, the ‘Caps announced that the club has signed German legend Thomas Müller to a Designated Player contract extension through the 2027 MLS Sprint Season.
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