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The Major League Soccer teams are putting their final preparations in place for the upcoming 2024 season. After a thrilling 2023 campaign, excitement is building for the new term in the top tier of soccer in America and Canada.
With the big kick off just around the corner, we look ahead to the 2024 MLS season and what could unfold over the next nine months of sensational soccer.
When Does the MLS Season Start and End?
The 2024 MLS season will be the 29th edition of Major League Soccer, which is the top professional league in America and Canada. The official start of the new campaign will be February 21st, 2024.
How Many Games Are in an MLS season?
Every team will play 34 league games in the regular MLS season. The clubs will play 17 home games and 17 away matches throughout the nine-month regular campaign on the MLS season schedule.
How Many Teams Participate in the Regular MLS Season?
There are 29 teams competing in the 2024 MLS season. The East and the West are separated and split into two sections. There will be 15 clubs in the Eastern Conference this term, and 14 will participate in the Western Conference.
What is the Format of the MLS Season?
All 29 sides will play 34 regular games in the MLS season. The top team at the end of the campaign will qualify for Round One of the MLS playoffs and secure a CONCACAF Champions League spot. The best nine sides in each league will extend their seasons in the playoffs.
How Do Teams Qualify for the MLS Playoffs?
The top seven teams in both leagues will automatically qualify for Round One of the end-of-season playoffs. The clubs that finish eighth and ninth will enter the Wild Card Round.
How Are MLS Playoff Matches Determined?
Round One of the playoffs is a best-of-three series, with the winners advancing to the Conference semifinals. The Conference Finals then take place before the MLS Cup, which will be the final match of the 2024 season.
MLS Season Pass: How to Follow the MLS Action in Canada
Canadian fans can catch highlights of MLS games, including full-match replays, on Apple TV free of charge. In America, Apple TV+ and its MLS Season Pass will allow fans to catch every single MLS match live this season. You can sign up for the Apple MLS TV Pass via the Apple TV app or website.
TSN holds the rights for live matches in Canada, with 68 games from the regular season available to watch on TSN and RDS. Playoff fixtures will also be available to watch live for Canadian viewers.
Betting on the 2024 MLS Season
The 2023 MLS season was one to remember. Cincinnati cruised to the title in the Eastern Conference, collecting 69 points. In the West, new boys St. Louis City stunned American soccer, winning the league ahead of Seattle Sounders.
Columbus Crew went on to win the MLS Cup, seeing off Los Angeles in the big game. Cincinnati picked up the Supporters’ Shield, and Vancouver Whitecaps won the Champions Cup in Canada.
The 2024 season has a lot to live up to, but the 29 teams are ready to put on a show. In terms of MLS Cup futures, the likes of Inter Miami, LAFC, Columbus Crew, and Philadelphia Union are among the favorites.
You can bet on every MLS matchup taking place in the 2024 season right here with BetVictor CA. We have a comprehensive MLS betting market, with plenty of futures and in-play options available. Also, be sure to check out the bonuses and promotions page throughout the 2024 MLS season.
When placing MLS bets, be sure to set deposit limits and never chase losses. Our in-depth Safer Gambling Portal is always there to give you tips and tricks on how to gamble responsibly at BetVictor Canada.
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Top MLS Scorer FAQs
Regular-season MLS matches are played out over 90 minutes plus any added time for stoppages. Only cup games and playoff matches have overtime.
There are 34 rounds in a regular MLS season, with all teams playing 17 home and 17 away matches.
Regular MLS games do not have a penalty shootout to decide the outcome, though penalties can be awarded during the matches. Penalty shootouts can occur in the playoffs.
There is a salary cap in MLS. All teams have a base salary cap of $5,210,000, which will run through to the 2027 season.
