Larry Berg to Lead MLS in 2027 Following Two-Thirds Vote by Owners

Incoming commissioner Larry Berg will oversee a transition to a summer-to-spring schedule starting with a 14-game sprint season in early 2027.

Larry Berg, the 60-year-old co-owner of LAFC, will formally take over as Major League Soccer commissioner at the start of next year. The league announced the transition on Monday following a vote where Berg secured the required two-thirds majority from team owners. Current commissioner Don Garber, who has held the position since 1999, will maintain his role through 2026 before transitioning to league chairman in 2027. Berg, who previously served as co-chair of the MLS sporting and competition committee, was introduced at the league’s New York headquarters on Tuesday.

During his tenure, Garber oversaw expansion from 12 to 30 teams and the creation of Soccer United Marketing. The league now features five clubs—Inter Miami, LAFC, LA Galaxy, Atlanta United, and New York City FC—with valuations exceeding $1 billion according to Forbes. Berg confirmed he will divest his ownership interest in LAFC to assume the leadership role. His first priority involves a listening tour over the coming months with players, coaches, fans, and commercial partners to shape the future of the organization.

New Calendar and 14-Game Sprint Season

Berg will manage a significant shift in the league's competitive structure, moving from a late winter to late fall schedule to a summer-to-spring format. This alignment with international counterparts begins with a shortened 14-game "sprint season" in early 2027. The first full season under the new calendar will kick off in July 2027, concluding with a league championship match in May 2028. This change aims to modernize the competition flow as the league enters what Berg describes as a "new era."

Recent on-field performance highlights the league's current landscape, including Lionel Messi’s return from the World Cup to a draw with Inter Miami. Despite that result, Miami reclaimed the top spot in the MLS Power Rankings following the acquisition of Casemiro. Berg noted that the foundation built by his predecessor is strong, citing the growth of soccer-specific stadiums and the academy system as key pillars for the next chapter of North American soccer.

Roster Investment and Youth Development

The incoming commissioner intends to emphasize youth development and the overall quality of play. Berg hinted at a potential analysis of the current roster investment model, a topic he presented to owners during the selection process. While he expressed a desire to hear various viewpoints on financial structures, he explicitly ruled out the introduction of promotion and relegation. Berg stated that such a system is not appropriate for the league and is not a viable way to encourage investment in training facilities or stadiums.

Garber noted that the transition comes at a time when the world recently experienced a World Cup in the United States. He pledged to support Berg through the end of 2026 and during his first year as chairman in 2027. Berg will become only the third commissioner in the history of Major League Soccer, focusing on a future path that prioritizes new energy and the seizing of extraordinary opportunities within the sport.