As AC Grand Rapids gets ready to launch in 2027, the league makes a shift to align its calendar with Major League Soccer & other top global leagues.
Today’s announcement that AC Grand Rapids’ inaugural home opener will take place on Friday, March 19, 2027, coincided with news that MLS NEXT Pro — the league ACGR is set to compete in — will shift its competition calendar to a Summer-to-Spring season to align with top global soccer leagues and Major League Soccer.
- The shift will begin with a transitional Sprint Season, running February to May 2027, followed by the first full Summer-to-Spring Season, which will run from July 2027 to June 2028.
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How the Calendar Shift Will Work
- 2027 Sprint Season (February 2027-May 2027) As a transition from the current calendar to the new Summer-to-Spring calendar, MLS NEXT Pro will feature an initial Sprint Season, which will carry the weight of a traditional season. Every club will play 14 regular season matches, running mid-February through late April, followed by four rounds of Playoffs and concluding with MLS NEXT Pro Cup in late May.
- 2027-28 Summer-to-Spring Season (July 2027-June 2028) The shift to the Summer-to-Spring Season will begin with the 2027-28 season, kicking off in July 2027 and ending with MLS NEXT Pro Cup in June 2028, including a winter break. The regular season will consist of 28 matches per club, with the first half taking place from mid-July through mid-December. A winter break will be followed by the second half of the season, from early February through early May. The ensuing Playoffs will culminate with MLS NEXT Pro Cup in early June.
Player Pathway Schedule Alignment
With MLS NEXT Pro shifting its calendar to the Summer-to-Spring format, all three levels of the MLS player pathway will share the same calendar beginning in 2027-28. The continuity will provide additional opportunities for player movement between MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT, in turn increasing player development opportunities and efficiencies.
To date, since the launch of MLS NEXT Pro in March 2022:
- 1,000+ MLS players have been loaned to MLS NEXT Pro
- 270 MLS NEXT Pro players have signed MLS first team contracts
- 1,300+ MLS NEXT Academy players have competed in MLS NEXT Pro
About MLS NEXT Pro
Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT to MLS first teams. MLS NEXT Pro continues to grow the game through innovation and access, bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field. MLS NEXT Pro celebrates its fifth season in 2026 with 30 teams, 27 MLS-affiliated and three independent, Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC and Connecticut United FC. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead, including Forest City Cleveland, Jacksonville Armada FC, AC Grand Rapids, and The Island FC. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com.
