Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with forward Mateo Silvetti (24) after scoring against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Nov. 8, 2025.

Major League Soccer announced its 2026 schedule, which gets underway with a showdown between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Son Heung-min's LAFC at the Los Angeles Coliseum on the Feb. 21 opening night.

Other highlights include an extended World Cup break and the opening of Inter Miami's new stadium (April 4), an extended break for the World Cup and the league's All-Star Game in Charlotte (July 29).

MLS will pause after matches on May 24 and return to action on July 16, three days before the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The league's season had concluded before the December 2022 World Cup, but MLS went on just a nine-day hiatus in 2018, owing largely to the USMNT's failure to qualify for that tournament.

Messi and Inter play the inaugural game at their new 25,000-seat Miami Freedom Park against Austin, while the 2026 MLS All-Star Game will be at Bank of America Field against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

Beginning on Nov. 18, the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs will be uninterrupted by a FIFA international window, unlike the knockout rounds in 2025.

All 510 MLS regular season matches will be available on Apple TV in 2026.

MLS schedule 2026: When does season start?

The 2026 Major League Soccer season begins on Feb. 21 with Los Angeles FC hosting Inter Miami at the LA Coliseum.

USA TODAY Sports' 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS reveals 2026 schedule, kicking off with Messi-Son at LA Coliseum

Reporting by Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect