Major League Soccer has advanced considerably since its inception with 10 teams in 1996. Three decades later, the league has 30 clubs, full stadiums in many markets, a growing TV audience and a much bigger piece of the American sports scene. The rise of new clubs has also altered the places and ways in which fans experience professional soccer in the United States and Canada.
Growth is especially evident in 2026. It’s the league’s 31st season with 30 clubs as MLS continues to invest in areas like youth development, media distribution and new markets. MLS is entering a period where interest in American soccer could grow even more with the FIFA World Cup being played across North America this year.
From 10 teams to a 30-club league
Major League Soccer began play in 1996 with 10 teams following the United States hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The league has added 12 clubs since 2015, steadily expanding its footprint across the US and Canada.
The expansion has added more to the schedule than just the number of games. MLS’ new clubs have brought professional soccer to markets that didn’t have much of a professional soccer presence, and helped local fans create their own traditions around the league.
MLS expanded to 30 clubs with the addition of San Diego FC in 2025, another major step in the growth of the league. For the 2026 season, the 30 clubs will be evenly split between the Eastern and Western Conferences and each club will play 34 regular-season games.
Attendance shows the size of the opportunity
Attendance is one of the most obvious signs of growth in soccer. MLS said the 2025 regular season attracted 11.2 million fans, the second-highest attendance total in league history. The league averaged 21,988 fans per match, and 19 clubs averaged over 20,000 fans per game.
That momentum continued into 2026. MLS averaged 22,109 fans per game through the first three months of the season with more than 4.8 million people attending games. Both numbers are second in league history behind the record-setting 2024 season, the league said.
Opening weekend provided another indication of demand. The 2026 season started with 387,271 fans in attendance at matches, for an average crowd of 25,818. MLS said it was the most attended opening weekend in league history.
The stadium experience is becoming a major selling point
The modern MLS match day is becoming more about the experience at the stadium and less about the 90 minutes on the pitch.
In purpose-built soccer venues supporters can have seats closer to the pitch, dedicated supporter sections, food and entertainment options and a stronger connection between the crowd and the players.
Big events can also lead to a different kind of exposure. MLS stadiums and facilities are part of the broader North American soccer ecosystem around the FIFA World Cup, providing many MLS markets an opportunity to host international fans in 2026. Thirteen MLS cities are host markets for the World Cup, the league has said.
Broadcasting is opening another growth channel
The league’s expansion is more than simply physical markets. MLS has increasingly turned its attention to streaming and international distribution of its matches. The league will move all of its matches to Apple TV in 2026, with some of its games also available via linear TV partners.
The plan is designed to make the league more accessible to wherever a fan lives. The average audience for MLS in the first three months of the 2026 season across streaming and linear platforms was up 62% to 7.9 million viewers compared with the same period last year.
Where MLS could go next
The next stage of growth for the league will be more than just adding clubs. MLS has to balance expansion with competitive quality, stadium demand, player development and the economics of running professional teams. More markets to fight for fans and corporate partners means a bigger league.
So the league’s future opportunities might come from developing markets as much as creating new ones. Academies could be improved, more young American players developed, international audiences expanded and access to matches made easier to help sustain growth.
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