For the 2026 season, Major League Soccer’s mid-year transfer period, also referred to as the secondary acquisition period, is set to run into September, reflecting the league’s continuous effort to synchronize with global football calendars.
In an announcement made on Thursday, the league stated, “By extending the Secondary acquisition period into September – a first in twenty years, discounting the 2020 season’s COVID-related adjustments – the MLS transfer deadline will now coincide with major international leagues. This provides MLS clubs an enhanced chance to bring in elite international players as they contend for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.”
The league’s mid-season transfer period is now scheduled to operate from July 13 through September 2, whereas the initial player acquisition window will commence on January 26 and conclude on March 26.
During the 2025 secondary window, numerous prominent international football figures joined MLS, including Son Heung-Min signing with LAFC, Rodrigo De Paul joining Inter Miami CF, and Thomas Müller moving to Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Major League Soccer secured 10 designated players throughout the secondary transfer period, alongside 12 more athletes brought in through the U22 program.
This development comes after a November declaration that MLS plans to transition its regular season to a summer-to-spring format, starting in 2027. In contrast to the majority of global football associations, MLS presently operates its season from February through November.
However, obstacles might arise concerning the shift to a summer-to-spring calendar, given that ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle disclosed last week that the Major League Soccer Players Association has not yet endorsed the alteration to the schedule.
Thursday also marked the announcement of various modifications for the 2026 season, including deadlines for squad conformity (February 20) and roster lock (October 9). Further changes involve removing caps on the monetary value a club can exchange for players annually, and removing both age and quantity restrictions on inter-league player loans for each club per season.
The Major League Soccer campaign commences on February 21, although certain clubs will participate in competitive matches earlier, with the Concacaf Champions Cup kicking off on February 3.
