Adidas and MLS to Release No New 2027-28 Kits When First Fall/Spring Season Begins
- MLS Schedule Change: MLS is shifting to a Fall-to-Spring schedule starting in 2027, aligning with the European football calendar.
- Transition Period: A shortened tournament will occur in early 2027 to bridge the gap between the traditional and new schedules.
- Kit Release Delay: Adidas and MLS are expected to release kits in February 2027, but will likely not release any new kits until July 2028 to align with the new season start.
A massive structural revolution is coming to Major League Soccer (MLS), and it is going to completely disrupt the annual kit release schedule. As MLS prepares to align with the global football calendar, Footy Headlines breaks down what this means for the future of Adidas MLS jersey launches.
The End of the Traditional MLS Calendar
The current 2026 MLS season will be the final campaign operating under the traditional format (running from February to November). Starting in 2027, the league will officially adopt a European-style "Fall-to-Spring" schedule.
However, to bridge the gap between the two formats, MLS will implement a unique transition period. Here is how the upcoming timeline looks:
- 2026 MLS Season: Traditional format (February 2026 - November 2026).
- 2027 Transitional Season: A shortened, temporary tournament (February 2027 - May 2027).
- 2027-28 MLS Main Season: The new permanent format (Late July 2027 - May 2028).
The Kit Release Dilemma: What Happens to "Jersey Week"?
Historically, Adidas and MLS have always released all new kits in February, just weeks before the season kicks off. But with the main season shifting to a late July start, the traditional release window is thrown into chaos.
Because of the shortened "Transitional Season" taking place from February to May 2027, teams will still need their annual kit updates at the start of the year. Therefore, it is highly expected that Adidas will maintain its traditional February release window for 2027.
Looking further ahead, the transition poses a massive logistical question for Adidas. Will they permanently move MLS kit launches to the summer (July/August) to match European clubs like Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich?
While a split release strategy - dropping a few kits in February 2027 and holding back a major launch for July 2027 - is a possibility, supplying an entire league twice in one year is highly unlikely.
The most logical outcome is that the 2027 kits drop in February, and the entire league permanently shifts its kit launch window to the summer starting in July 2028 for the 2028-29 season.
Do you prefer MLS kits being released in February, or are you excited for them to join the traditional European summer kit launch window? Let us know in the comments below.
