MLS
Major League Soccer reveal schedule and format for 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs
With just over 10 match days remaining in the regular season, MLS have confirmed how the postseason picture will look.
We’ve reached the final stretch of the MLS regular season as the battle for playoffs spaces begins to heat up. After a month-long break due to the Leagues Cup taking centre stage, the domestic league action is back this weekend.
Inter Miami can mathematically guarantee their postseason place this weekend as they face FC Cincinnati but must do so without captain Leo Messi as the Argentine is still out of action due to injury.
On Thursday, MLS confirmed the key dates on the road to MLS Cup 2024 with the final scheduled for 7 December.
The Playoff format will be completely identical to the one we saw in the 2023 season with a wild-card round, then a best of three playoff first round between conference rivals, semifinals and conference finals that will lead to the two finalists of the MLS Cup final.
The traditional last round of regular season action aka Decision Day has also been locked in with the final crunch games all kicking off at the same time across both conferences.
MLS end of season/Playoffs schedule
MLS Decision Day 2024
The last day of the regular season will take place next Saturday, 19 October, a key day when we discover what teams are confirmed to participate in postseason and which team is the Supporters Shield winner.
Wild Card Round
The Wild Card matches feature a single-game elimination match in each conference between the No. 8 and No. 9 seed, hosted by the higher seed. These games will take place on Wednesday, 23 October with the winners advancing to face their conference No. 1 team in a best of three series.
Best of 3 games series (first round of playoffs)
With the eight teams in each conference already known, the first round of the playoffs will begin. The highest ranked team will host the first game at home, while the second game will be played at the home of the lowest ranked team, and in the case of a third game, the best ranked team will return to the home of the conference. These duels will take place starting on Saturday, 26 October and are scheduled to end on November 10.
Semi-finals and conference finals
With four sides remaining in each conference at this stage, the playoffs are back to a single-game series. The Conference Semifinals will be played on Saturday, 23 November and Sunday, 24 November. The Conference Finals will be held on Saturday, 30 November and Sunday, 1 December.
MLS Cup
A week after the Conference finals, it’s the big one with the 2024 MLS Cup Final scheduled for 7 December.