Full List of All 30 MLS Teams in 2026: Founding, Owners, Titles, Stars, and Season Outlook

MLS 2026 Full List of 30 Teams

MLS in 2026 is bigger, weirder, and more “event-shaped” than a typical year. The league has 30 clubs, and the regular season runs Feb. 21–Nov. 7 with a long World Cup pause (May 25–July 16).

What’s new about MLS 2026 in one minute

• The season is effectively split in two because of the World Cup pause.

• Inter Miami enter as reigning MLS Cup champions after beating Vancouver 3–1 in the 2025 final.

• Apple TV becomes the single home for every MLS match (regular season + playoffs), replacing the separate MLS Season Pass model.

MLS Cup titles note: “Through 2025” includes Inter Miami’s first championship (won Dec. 6, 2025).
(League-wide MLS Cup totals and context are summarized by ESPN and the MLS Cup finals record page.)

2026 season outlook and quick predictions

MLS 2026 will reward three things more than usual:

• Squad depth (not just star power)

The World Cup pause breaks momentum and compresses the calendar on the back end. Teams that can rotate without falling apart tend to climb.

• Fast starts after July 16

The restart is where playoff lines often shift quickly, especially for teams hovering around seeds 7–10.

• Media and attention tailwind

MLS will ride World Cup energy, and the “everything on Apple TV” model is designed to reduce friction for casual viewers.

Early narrative hooks to watch:

• Can Inter Miami carry a title defense into a split-season year?

• Which big-market teams treat the post-break stretch like a sprint, not a grind?

• Do newer clubs (like San Diego FC and St. Louis) level up with stronger depth and roster stability?

Eastern Conference: all 15 MLS teams in 2026

• Note: “Began MLS play” is the year the franchise entered MLS (some clubs existed earlier in other leagues).

Ownership is shown as the current investor-operator group from the latest compiled list (may change with future sales).

Atlanta United FC

• MLS debut: 2017

• Owner: Arthur Blank

• MLS Cups: 1 (2018)

• Notable players: Josef Martínez, Thiago Almada

• Website: https://www.atlutd.com

• 2026 note: Big-market club built to rebound quickly when competitive cycles reset.

Charlotte FC

• MLS debut: 2022

• Owner: David Tepper

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Karol Świderski

• Website: https://www.charlottefootballclub.com

• 2026 note: Still building identity, but crowd support is elite.

Chicago Fire FC

• MLS debut: 1998

• Owner: Joe Mansueto

• MLS Cups: 1 (1998)

• Notable players: Bastian Schweinsteiger

• Website: https://www.chicagofirefc.com

• 2026 note: Sleeping giant with pressure to deliver results.

FC Cincinnati

• MLS debut: 2019

• Owner: Carl Lindner III group

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Luciano Acosta

• Website: https://www.fccincinnati.com

• 2026 note: Tactical consistency makes them hard to play against.

Columbus Crew

• MLS debut: 1996

• Owner: Haslam/Edwards group

• MLS Cups: 3 (2008, 2020, 2023)

• Notable players: Cucho Hernández

• Website: https://www.columbuscrew.com

• 2026 note: Model club for squad depth in a split season.

D.C. United

• MLS debut: 1996

• Owner: Jason Levien & Steven Kaplan

• MLS Cups: 4 (1996–1999)

• Notable players: Wayne Rooney

• Website: https://www.dcunited.com

• 2026 note: History-rich club still chasing modern relevance.

Inter Miami CF

• MLS debut: 2020

• Owners: David Beckham, Jorge Mas, partners

• MLS Cups: 1 (2025)

• Notable players: Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets

• Website: https://www.intermiamicf.com

• 2026 note: Title defenders under global spotlight.

Read more: Full List of Inter Miami Trophies, and MLS Cup

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to MLS Cup Glory in Nail Biting Win Over Vancouver

Nashville SC

• MLS debut: 2020

• Owner: John Ingram

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Hany Mukhtar

• Website: https://www.nashvillesc.com

• 2026 note: Defensive structure fits chaotic seasons well.

New England Revolution

• MLS debut: 1996

• Owner: Kraft Sports Group

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Clint Dempsey

• Website: https://www.revolutionsoccer.net

• 2026 note: Regular-season strength, playoff questions remain.

New York City FC

• MLS debut: 2015

• Owner: City Football Group

• MLS Cups: 1 (2021)

• Notable players: David Villa

• Website: https://www.newyorkcityfc.com

• 2026 note: Youth pipeline and possession identity.

New York Red Bulls

• MLS debut: 1996

• Owner: Red Bull GmbH

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Thierry Henry

• Website: https://www.newyorkredbulls.com

• 2026 note: Pressing system thrives in short bursts.

Orlando City SC

• MLS debut: 2015

• Owner: Wilf family

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Kaká

• Website: https://www.orlandocitysc.com

• 2026 note: Defense-first approach suits long seasons.

Philadelphia Union

• MLS debut: 2010

• Owner: Jay Sugarman

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Brenden Aaronson

• Website: https://www.philadelphiaunion.com

• 2026 note: Academy depth is a competitive advantage.

Toronto FC

• MLS debut: 2007

• Owner: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

• MLS Cups: 1 (2017)

• Notable players: Sebastian Giovinco

• Website: https://www.torontofc.ca

• 2026 note: Reset year with upside if healthy.

CF Montréal

• MLS debut: 2012

• Owner: Joey Saputo

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Didier Drogba

• Website: https://www.cfmontreal.com

• 2026 note: Young roster, volatile but dangerous.

Western Conference (15 teams)

Austin FC

• MLS debut: 2021

• Owner: Anthony Precourt

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Sebastián Driussi

• Website: https://www.austinfc.com

Colorado Rapids

• MLS debut: 1996

• Owner: Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

• MLS Cups: 1 (2010)

• Notable players: Tim Howard

• Website: https://www.coloradorapids.com

FC Dallas

• MLS debut: 1996

• Owner: Clark Hunt

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Ricardo Pepi

• Website: https://www.fcdallas.com

Houston Dynamo FC

• MLS debut: 2006

• Owner: Ted Segal

• MLS Cups: 2 (2006, 2007)

• Notable players: Brian Ching

• Website: https://www.houstondynamofc.com

Sporting Kansas City

• MLS debut: 1996

• Owner: Sporting Club

• MLS Cups: 2

• Notable players: Graham Zusi

• Website: https://www.sportingkc.com

LA Galaxy

Maya Yoshida of Los Angeles Galaxy lifts the MLS Cup trophy

• MLS debut: 1996

• Owner: Anschutz Entertainment Group

• MLS Cups: 6 (record)

• Notable players: Landon Donovan, David Beckham

• Website: https://www.lagalaxy.com

Read more: Who Has Won the Most MLS Cups? And What Trophies Has Messi’s Team Claimed?

Los Angeles FC

• MLS debut: 2018

• Owner: LAFC ownership group

• MLS Cups: 1 (2022)

• Notable players: Carlos Vela

• Website: https://www.lafc.com

Minnesota United FC

• MLS debut: 2017

• Owner: McGuire-Pohlad-Taylor group

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Emanuel Reynoso

• Website: https://www.mnufc.com

Portland Timbers

• MLS debut: 2011

• Owner: Peregrine Sports

• MLS Cups: 1 (2015)

• Notable players: Diego Valeri

• Website: https://www.timbers.com

Real Salt Lake

• MLS debut: 2005

• Owner: David Blitzer & Ryan Smith

• MLS Cups: 1 (2009)

• Notable players: Javier Morales

• Website: https://www.rsl.com

San Diego FC

• MLS debut: 2025

• Owner: Mohamed Mansour & Sycuan Band

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: TBD

• Website: https://www.sandiegofc.com

San Jose Earthquakes

• MLS debut: 1996

• Owner: John Fisher

• MLS Cups: 2

• Notable players: Chris Wondolowski

• Website: https://www.sjearthquakes.com

Seattle Sounders FC

• MLS debut: 2009

• Owner: Adrian Hanauer group

• MLS Cups: 2

• Notable players: Clint Dempsey

• Website: https://www.soundersfc.com

St. Louis CITY SC

• MLS debut: 2023

• Owner: Carolyn Kindle Betz group

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: João Klauss

• Website: https://www.stlcitysc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

• MLS debut: 2011

• Owner: Kerfoot/Luczo/Mallett group

• MLS Cups: 0

• Notable players: Alphonso Davies

• Website: https://www.whitecapsfc.com

FAQs

How many teams are in MLS in 2026?

MLS has 30 teams in 2026.

When does the MLS 2026 season start and end?

The regular season runs Feb. 21–Nov. 7, with a May 25–July 16 World Cup pause.

Who are the reigning MLS Cup champions entering 2026?

Inter Miami CF won MLS Cup 2025, defeating Vancouver 3–1.

Where can I watch MLS in 2026?

MLS matches and programming are included with an Apple TV subscription, and the standalone MLS Season Pass ends after 2025.