How many games are there in the MLS season?

The 27th MLS season will get underway in Philadelphia next Saturday (26 February) as the Union face Minnesota United. The action will run through to early November with the MLS Cup final scheduled for 5 November, just over two weeks ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

This season sees the incorporation of expansion franchise Charlotte FC who will play in the 14 team Eastern Conference. The Western Conference will also feature 14 teams.

All teams will play a 34-game regular season - 17 home games, 17 away games - facing each of their conference opponents two times and playing eight non-conference opponents once.

The top eight sides at the end of the regular season in each conference will advance to the play-off stage with the team who end top of the overall table bagging the Supporters Shield.

Last season MLS champions NYCFC played 21 games during their march to the final win in Portland with the side from the Big Apple finishing eight in the East.

2022 MLS All-Star

The Allianz Field in Saint Paul, home to Minnesota FC will host the annual All-Star game with no information currently available on the rival team. The game will be staged on 10 August at the home of the 'Loons'.