If you’re wondering when MLS season ends, you’re not alone—fans want to know exactly when the regular season wraps up, when playoffs begin, and when the MLS Cup final takes place. Today, KMSoccer will walk you through all of it, with the latest info for the 2025 season.
What does “MLS season end” actually mean?
“MLS season end” can refer to different moments:
- The end of the regular season, when all teams finish their scheduled matches (“Decision Day”)
- The end of the playoffs, culminating in the MLS Cup Final
- Sometimes the end of all official competitions in the league year
So when someone asks “when does the MLS season end,” it depends on which endpoint they mean.
Key 2025 MLS dates
Here are the major dates for MLS in 2025:
| Event | Date |
| Regular season begins | February 22, 2025 |
| Regular season ends (“Decision Day”) | Saturday, October 18, 2025 |
| Playoffs start | October 22, 2025 |
| Conference Finals | November 29–30, 2025 |
| MLS Cup Final | Saturday, December 6, 2025 |
What does Decision Day mean?
“Decision Day” is the last day of the regular season—October 18 for 2025. That’s when every MLS club plays its final scheduled match. At that point:
- Final regular season standings are confirmed
- Playoff seeding becomes official
- Some teams may be fighting for playoff spots, others may be able to clinch or drop positions
Timeline from regular season to MLS Cup
Here’s how the flow of the season works:
- Regular Season (Feb → Decision Day in October) All clubs play their matches—34 games each in 2025.
- Playoffs Begins with wild card match(es) after Decision Day. Then rounds progress (some best-of-three series) up to single elimination.
- MLS Cup Final The final showdown of the season, held in early December—in 2025, it’s December 6.
Why these dates matter for fans
Knowing when MLS season ends means you can plan your viewing, travel, celebrations, or even fantasy team strategies better. Here are few reasons it matters:
- If you follow regular season stats, you know when those races close
- If you want to catch playoff games or get tickets, you know when the postseason ramps up
- For off-season news: transfers, trades, roster changes often gain momentum after the season ends
Some common questions
- Does the MLS season ever end later than early December? Typically, no — MLS Cup tends to be in late November or early December. Consistent with 2025, where MLS Cup Final is December 6.
- Do all competitions end at the same time? No. There are additional tournaments (Leagues Cup, Gold Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, etc.). Those may interrupt or overlap with MLS regular season or playoffs. But they have their own schedules.
- Will future MLS seasons follow the same timetable? It appears likely for the coming seasons (2026, 2027) unless MLS changes its calendar format. As of 2025, there was no announced major shift until at least 2027.
Conclusion
If you’re tracking stats or eagerly waiting for the deciding fixtures, when MLS season ends should now be crystal clear. The regular season ends October 18, and everything builds towards the climactic MLS Cup on December 6.
KMSoccer encourages you to mark those dates, follow your favorite teams’ paths, and stay tuned for all match previews, player stats, and dramatic playoff stories. Want the 2026 schedule outlook or players to watch this final stretch? Just say the word!
