MLS Postseason Format Tweaks
· diy
The Playoffs Are Coming: What’s Behind MLS’ Latest Format Tweaks
Major League Soccer has a history of experimentation, with more playoff format changes in 31 years than some teams have won championships. Now, with a new TV deal looming and a push to increase revenues, the league is at it again – this time proposing a significant overhaul of its postseason structure.
At the heart of the proposed changes are two main components: a single table featuring five geographically-aligned divisions for scheduling purposes, and a double-elimination playoff tournament involving 20 teams. The Australian Football League model is cited as inspiration, with its own wildcard round to determine the final four seeds in the round of 16.
The driving force behind these changes is the league’s desire to increase revenues and interest beyond the current $250 million Apple TV deal. International tournaments like the UEFA Champions League draw massive audiences, and MLS knows it needs to up its game to stay competitive – and attract higher-end talent. By expanding the postseason and introducing more teams and elimination games, MLS hopes to reach the English Premier League’s $450 million-per-year deal.
However, concerns exist about the impact on the regular season. With a shorter schedule (34 games) compared to other major sports leagues, MLS might sacrifice some of its competitive edge in favor of expanded postseason excitement. This trade-off is not unprecedented – U.S. college sports have already dealt with similar issues.
The proposed format also has implications for team parity and performance. By increasing the number of playoff teams from 18 to 20, MLS is essentially doubling down on its current trend of parity-driven success. But will this lead to more drama and intrigue, or simply dilute the competitiveness of the regular season? The double-elimination component could create significant tension, especially if teams that win in the round of 16 skip ahead to await the winners of the losers’ bracket.
MLS needs to find a way to make its playoffs more compelling for U.S. audiences – and fast. With the World Cup’s success fresh in everyone’s minds, there’s pressure on the league to capitalize on growing soccer interest in the country. Whether or not this new format can deliver remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: MLS will stop at nothing to make its postseason more appealing – and profitable.
The NFL, NBA, and MLB have all successfully expanded their playoffs in recent years, reaping significant rewards in terms of ratings and ad revenues. Will MLS follow suit? With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, the stakes are higher than ever for the league to get its postseason strategy right. Fans will be watching closely as the drama unfolds – and teams better be ready to bring their A-game if they want to make it through this new-look playoff system unscathed.
As team finances, TV negotiations, and calendar adjustments loom on the horizon, MLS is poised on the cusp of significant change. The question is: will its latest format tweaks pay off – or backfire? Only time (and the scoreboard) will tell.
Reader Views
- DHDale H. · weekend handyperson
"It's time for some tough love: if MLS wants to play with the big boys, they need to up their game in the regular season, not just add more postseason drama. With a shorter schedule than most leagues, we can't sacrifice competitiveness for parity-driven excitement. The proposed format might draw in casual fans, but it'll alienate those who follow teams through thick and thin. Can MLS balance revenue growth with true competition, or will they trade quality for quantity?"
- BWBo W. · carpenter
The MLS is going for more playoff excitement, but at what cost? They're mimicking the English Premier League's success, but neglecting the fact that their own schedule is already a breather compared to other top leagues. 34 games is still relatively short, and I worry they'll sacrifice some regular season competitiveness in favor of more postseason drama. The added teams will only amplify this issue – what about the bottom-feeder teams struggling to stay afloat? It's a tricky balance between entertainment value and fairness to all teams.
- TWThe Workshop Desk · editorial
The proposed changes to MLS' postseason format are a necessary evil in the league's pursuit of increased revenue and competitiveness. But let's not forget that this overhaul could have unintended consequences: a watered-down regular season that prioritizes playoff spots over competitive balance. With teams already struggling to stay afloat under the current 34-game schedule, MLS must carefully calibrate its tweaks to avoid sacrificing too much of what makes the league unique – namely, its fiercely contested regular-season matches.