Section 1: Introduction
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top division of men's professional soccer in the United States and Canada, competing in the league's 31st season in 2026. The 2026 MLS season comprises 30 clubs split evenly between the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, each playing a 34-match regular season, with the league's competition culminating in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs and the MLS Cup final.
MLS competition operates under the IFAB Laws of the Game as administered globally by FIFA, layered with MLS-specific competition rules that govern conference structure, scheduling, the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs format, ball-in-play mechanics, substitutions, and discipline. The 2026 MLS Competition Guidelines document is the canonical text and is published on the league's competition guidelines page; the discussion below summarizes its key provisions and cites the public press summary.
The 2026 season is notable for: (a) the league's continued use of 14 Ball Stands positioned around the field perimeter to increase effective match time and reduce match manipulation; (b) the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs format with a Wild Card round, a Round One Best-of-3 Series, and single-elimination Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and MLS Cup; and (c) the playoff yellow-card-carryover clarification that separates regulation/extra-time cards from shootout cards.
This entry summarizes the 2026 Competition Guidelines for educational purposes. It does not reproduce the rule text and is not a substitute for the canonical document, which is authoritative in any dispute and which is published in full on MLSsoccer.com (see source URL in metadata). Roster and salary mechanics — Designated Players, U22 Initiative, GAM/TAM, the Salary Budget, Homegrown Player rule, MLS NEXT Pro affiliations — are governed by the separate MLS Roster Rules & Regulations document and are out of scope here.
Section 2: Equipment
The Ball
MLS matches use a FIFA Quality Programme approved match ball: spherical, 68–70 cm circumference, 410–450 g at the start of the match, and inflated to 0.6–1.1 atmospheres of pressure at sea level (IFAB Law 2). The league designates a single official match ball supplier each season; clubs must use the league-approved ball model in all regular-season and postseason competitions.
Ball Stands
The 2026 MLS Competition Guidelines specify 14 Ball Stands positioned around the field perimeter at each MLS venue. Ball stands are designed to support the IFAB-permitted faster ball-in-play protocol and are referenced in the league's published rationale as a mechanism to "increase effective match time and reduce match manipulation and gamesmanship."
Players' Equipment
- Jersey or shirt with sleeves; sleeveless undershirts must match the primary color of the jersey sleeve
- Shorts; compression undershorts must match the primary color of the shorts
- Socks; tape applied externally must match the color of the sock at the point of contact
- Shin guards covered entirely by the socks
- Footwear (cleats appropriate to the playing surface)
- The goalkeeper wears colors that distinguish them from outfield players, the opposing goalkeeper, and the match officials
- Permitted: religious head coverings, prescription eyewear approved as match-safe, soft headbands, soft sweatbands, and league-approved performance-tracking devices worn under the jersey
- Prohibited: jewelry of any kind (including taped-over items), hard casts not approved by medical, anything dangerous to the player or others (IFAB Law 4)
Goal Frames and Nets
Goals are 7.32 m wide by 2.44 m high (IFAB Law 1), painted white, securely anchored, and fitted with nets that do not interfere with the goalkeeper or with retrieved balls. All MLS venues use league-approved goal frames meeting FIFA Quality requirements.
Section 3: Playing Area
Field Dimensions
MLS matches are played on a rectangular field within IFAB Law 1 limits — a length of 100 to 110 meters (110 to 120 yards) and a width of 64 to 75 meters (70 to 80 yards). The league's preferred dimensions favor the upper end of the range and are subject to venue capacity. The field surface must be natural grass, hybrid grass, or a FIFA Quality Pro approved artificial surface; the home club is responsible for surface conformance and field testing.
Field Markings
- Touchlines (sidelines) and goal lines bound the field
- Halfway line with a centre mark and a 9.15 m centre circle
- Goal area (5.5 m × 18.32 m) and penalty area (16.5 m × 40.32 m) at each end
- Penalty spot 11 m from the goal line, with an arc 9.15 m radius from the spot
- Corner arcs (1 m radius) at each corner with corner flags
- Technical areas marked along the touchline at each bench, with referee-managed bench access
Match Clock and Ball-in-Play Protocol
The official game time is managed on the field by the referee. The stadium clock starts at kickoff of each half and runs continuously through any added time; the referee adds appropriate added time at the end of each half consistent with IFAB time-loss directives. The 14 Ball Stands and the Off-Field Treatment (OTR) rule (Section 5) are designed to reduce time loss to ball retrievals and on-field injury treatment.
Section 4: Players & Officials
Squad and Match Roster
- Each MLS club selects a match-day roster of up to 20 players (11 starters and 9 named substitutes)
- Senior roster construction, international slots, allocation money, and salary mechanics are governed by the separate MLS Roster Rules & Regulations
Substitutions — Regular Season
- Each club may make up to 5 normal substitutions per match (excluding half-time and re-entry of the same player as a substitute)
- Substitutions must be used over a maximum of 3 substitution opportunities ("windows") plus half-time
- One additional concussion substitution per match is permitted to remove a player with an actual or suspected concussion (IFAB Law 3 trial)
- Any player being substituted out has a maximum of 10 seconds to leave the field of play
Substitutions — Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs
- Maximum 5 normal substitutions plus 2 concussion substitutions per playoff match
- Unused substitutions carry over into extra time; no additional substitution opportunities are added for the extra-time periods
Officiating Crew
Each MLS match is officiated by a referee, two assistant referees, a fourth official, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and at least one assistant VAR. The referee on the field has final on-field authority. VAR is operative for clear-and-obvious-error reviews of (a) goals and surrounding incidents, (b) penalty decisions, (c) direct red-card incidents, and (d) cases of mistaken identity, in line with the IFAB VAR Protocol. The referee announces VAR-final decisions to fans in the venue and to the broadcast.
Bench Composition
- Maximum 19 individuals on each bench: 9 named substitute players, 9 staff members, 1 club physician
- Two Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) must be on the bench
- Coaches/staff/substitutes who leave the bench to egregiously protest an official's decision or express dissent face fines and/or suspensions (Section 7)
Section 5: Rules of Play
Match Structure
MLS matches consist of two 45-minute halves separated by a half-time interval not to exceed 15 minutes. The referee adds additional time at the end of each half to compensate for stoppages including substitutions, injury treatment, time-wasting, and goal celebrations, consistent with the IFAB time-loss directive.
Regular-Season Format
- 30 clubs split into Eastern Conference (15) and Western Conference (15)
- Each club plays 34 matches — 17 home and 17 away
- Each club plays its 14 conference opponents twice (28 games — once home, once away)
- Each club plays 6 different cross-conference opponents (the rotating cross-conference schedule)
- 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss
Standings Tiebreakers
Tiebreakers, in order, when teams are level on points at the end of the regular season:
- Total wins
- Goal differential
- Goals for
- Head-to-head record (intra-conference only — points first, then goal differential)
- Fewest disciplinary points
- Away goals differential
- Away goals
- Home goals differential
- Home goals for
- Coin toss or drawing of lots
Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Format
- Qualification: top 7 from each conference auto-qualify to the Round One Best-of-3 Series; the next 2 in each conference (seeds 8 and 9) play a single-elimination Wild Card match
- Wild Card: hosted by the higher seed; no extra time, penalty shootout if level after 90 minutes
- Round One Best-of-3 Series: first to two wins advances; no extra time, penalty shootout if regulation is tied; matchups #1 vs Wild Card winner, #2 vs #7, #3 vs #6, #4 vs #5 within each conference; home-away-home format with the higher seed hosting matches 1 and 3
- Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals: single elimination; if tied after regulation, two 15-minute extra-time periods, then penalty shootout if needed; higher remaining seed hosts
- MLS Cup: single match hosted by the finalist with the higher Supporters' Shield ranking; extra time and penalties apply if regulation is tied
Goalkeeper Time-Holding (IFAB)
The goalkeeper may hold the ball with the hands for a maximum of 8 seconds per the 2025 IFAB amendment carried into 2026 (formerly 6 seconds and rarely enforced). Failure to release within 8 seconds results in a corner kick to the opposing team.
Off-Field Treatment (OTR) Rule
A player who remains on the ground for more than 15 seconds while medical staff enter the field for treatment may be required to leave the field of play for one minute of treatment off the field of play before re-entering, except in cases of suspected serious injury including concussion, where the standard concussion-substitution and removal protocols apply.
Cooling and Drinks Breaks
For matches played in extreme heat conditions, the referee may authorize cooling breaks of up to three minutes around the 30th and 75th minutes, distinct from the half-time interval. Mandatory cooling breaks apply when WBGT (Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature) is at or above 82°F (27.8°C).
Section 6: Scoring
Goal
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided no infringement was committed previously by the team scoring the goal (IFAB Law 10). All MLS venues use goal-line technology or league-approved goal-line confirmation processes; VAR may also be used to verify goal/no-goal incidents.
Match Result and Standings
- 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss
- The 10-tier standings tiebreaker chain (Section 5) governs final standings position when teams are level on points
- The Supporters' Shield is awarded to the regular-season points winner
Penalty Kick Shootout (KFTPM)
If a playoff match remains level after the applicable regulation/extra-time format, the IFAB Kicks From the Penalty Mark procedure is used: each team takes five alternating kicks from the penalty mark; if still tied, kicks proceed in sudden death until a winner is determined.
Yellow Card Carryover Into Shootouts
Per the 2026 MLS playoff guidelines, yellow cards issued during regulation or extra time do not carry into the penalty shootout. A player or team official who receives a yellow card during the match (regulation/extra time) and a separate yellow card during the penalty shootout is not sent off solely on that combined basis.
Round One Best-of-3 Tiebreakers
In the Round One Best-of-3 Series, the series is decided by the first team to win two matches; goal differential across the series is not used. A regulation tie in any single Best-of-3 match is resolved immediately by penalty shootout (no extra time in Round One).
Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Cautions and Sending-Offs (IFAB Law 12)
The IFAB list of cautionable and sending-off offenses applies in full. Two yellow cards in the same match results in a sending-off (red card by accumulation). A player sent off cannot be replaced; the team plays short for the remainder of the match.
Regular-Season Yellow-Card Accumulation
Yellow cards accumulate across the regular season. The accumulation thresholds and discipline:
- 5 yellows: $250 fine + one-match suspension
- 8 yellows: $500 fine + one-match suspension
- 11 yellows: $750 fine + one-match suspension
- 13 yellows: $1,000 fine + one-match suspension
- After the fourth such suspension in a season, fines are doubled
Good Behavior Incentive
A player automatically reduces their yellow-card accumulation total by one yellow card each time they appear in five consecutive matches without receiving a yellow card, red card, or supplemental discipline. Maximum three reductions per season.
Playoff Yellow-Card Accumulation
- Yellow-card accumulation totals reset entering Round One; reset again before Conference Finals; and reset once more before MLS Cup
- Within each phase, three yellows triggers a one-match suspension
- Red cards trigger suspension for the next eligible match (with extended suspensions at the discretion of the MLS Disciplinary Committee for serious infractions)
MLS Disciplinary Committee Parameters
The MLS Disciplinary Committee (MLS DisCo) reviews on-field incidents post-match under three parameters:
- Parameter 1: officials did not see the incident; the Committee may impose discipline
- Parameter 2: officials saw the incident and issued a red card; the Committee may impose supplemental discipline if the conduct was egregious, threatened player safety, threatened game integrity, or constituted repeat behavior
- Parameter 3: officials saw the incident but did not issue a red card; the Committee may impose a one-match suspension if the panel is unanimous that the offense was a clear and unequivocal red card and was egregious or repeat behavior, or if necessary to protect player safety or the integrity of the game
Official Warnings, Notices, and Bench Discipline
- The Committee may issue Official Warnings for clear simulation/embellishment or for egregious red-card-worthy conduct that was not sanctioned by the referee
- Official Notices flag repeat behavior approaching the discipline threshold
- Subsequent similar offenses by the same player carry suspension risk
- Coaches, staff, and team officials are subject to a separate yellow-card accumulation framework — three yellows = suspension and fine
Section 8: Safety Considerations
Concussion Protocol
MLS operates under the league's Concussion Management Protocol, developed in conjunction with U.S. Soccer and the league medical staff. The IFAB-trial concussion substitution permits one additional substitution per team beyond the five-substitute count when a player has an actual or suspected concussion (two additional in the playoffs). A player removed under the concussion protocol cannot return to the match and is subject to a graduated return-to-play assessment before being cleared for subsequent training and competition.
Off-Field Treatment Window
The OTR rule (Section 5) is intended to reduce on-field stalling around minor injuries while preserving the priority of medical assessment. Players removed for off-field treatment under the OTR rule may return after one minute; this is distinct from the concussion-substitution pathway, which permanently removes the player.
Heat and Air Quality
Mandatory cooling breaks apply when WBGT is at or above 82°F (27.8°C). The league applies WBGT-based heat thresholds for cooling breaks, additional water breaks, and, in extreme cases, for delays of kickoff or postponement. Air-quality-index thresholds apply for venues affected by wildfire smoke or other particulate events.
Field Conditions
The home club is responsible for ensuring the field of play meets league surface standards. Lightning detection and the league lightning policy halt outdoor activity within a defined radius of detected strikes; play resumes only after the all-clear interval has elapsed.
Athletic Training and Medical Coverage
- Each match must have at least one club physician on the bench, supported by Certified Athletic Trainers
- An emergency action plan covering on-field cardiac, head/neck, and orthopedic emergencies must be in effect at every venue
- Independent league medical observers may be present for high-profile or postseason matches
Mental Health and Player Welfare
MLS provides mental-health support through the league's player welfare program in coordination with the MLS Players Association. The Player Code of Conduct, the Anti-Discrimination Policy, and related governance documents apply alongside the Competition Guidelines.
