The 2026 MLS season begins in February 2026. San Diego FC enters their second season after a historic inaugural campaign that saw them finish as the #1 seed in the Western Conference and advance to the Conference Finals.

Get 2026 Season Tickets

Learn more about the SDFC 2026 Home Opener at Snapdragon Stadium.

There are 34 matches in an MLS season. 17 of those games are played at the home stadium. All games broadcast on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass.

San Diego FC completed a historic inaugural 2025 season, finishing as the #1 seed in the Western Conference with a 19-9-6 record and advancing to the Conference Semifinals. Learn more about San Diego FC. Get 2026 season tickets.

About the MLS

New to Major League Soccer? You are not alone. Here is a quick guide to the rules and unique features of MLS.

1. Playoff Format: MLS employs a Best-of-3 format in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs, followed by single-elimination matches in the Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and MLS Cup.
2. Overtime and Penalty Kicks: In MLS playoff matches (semifinals onward), if the score is tied after regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods are played. If still tied, it is decided by a penalty shootout.
3. No Promotion and Relegation: Unlike many soccer leagues around the world, MLS does not have a promotion and relegation system. Teams in MLS remain in the league regardless of their performance.
4. Salary Cap: MLS has a salary cap system, which limits the total amount a team can spend on player salaries to promote parity.
5. Allocation Money: MLS uses allocation money to allow teams to acquire or retain players and navigate around the salary cap.
6. Designated Players: MLS has a designated player rule that allows teams to sign star players without their entire salary counting against the cap. Each team can have up to three designated players.
7. Homegrown Players: MLS encourages the development of local talent by allowing teams to sign players from their own academies as homegrown players. These players do not count against the salary cap.
8. Video Assistant Referee (VAR): MLS uses VAR to review controversial decisions during matches, helping to ensure fair play.
9. All-Star Game: MLS hosts an annual All-Star Game where top players from the league face off against a prominent international club.