Ammon News - Lionel Messi's Inter Miami will kick off Major League Soccer's 2027 "Sprint Season" when they face Cincinnati on February 19, launching ​the league's transition to a traditional autumn-to-spring calendar.

The standalone match ‌at Nu Stadium in Miami will begin a truncated 14-game regular season and playoff tournament designed to bridge the gap as MLS shifts away ​from its traditional summer schedule to align with Europe's top ​leagues.

The schedule, previewed on Apple TV's "MLS Countdown," emphasizes weekly ⁠rivalry matchups. Among the headline games announced, LA Galaxy will ​host Los Angeles FC on April 10 in the "El Trafico" ​derby.

The sprint season will conclude its regular-season slate on May 8 with "Decision Day," anchored by the Hudson River Derby between New York City FC and ​the New York Red Bulls, setting the stage for the ​May playoffs.

The four-month sprint serves as the prelude to the league's full operational ‌shift. ⁠The first standard season under the new timetable will run from mid-to-late July 2027 through May 2028, featuring a midwinter break and no matches in January.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber previously called the ​calendar change "one of ​the most ⁠important decisions in our history."

The strategic overhaul was approved following a two-year review to synchronize the ​league's transfer activity with the global summer window, ​minimize scheduling ⁠conflicts with FIFA's international fixtures, and hold the MLS Cup playoffs in May when the North American sports calendar is less crowded.

US men's ⁠national ​team coach Mauricio Pochettino is among ​those who have endorsed the change, noting that calendar alignment with the global soccer ​landscape will benefit clubs, coaches, and player development.