Messi vs Son: Exciting MLS 2026 Season Opener in Los Angeles

The 2026 MLS season will begin with one of the most exciting matchups in league history. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will travel to Los Angeles to face Son Heung-Min’s LAFC at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 21. This high-profile clash between two global stars is expected to draw major attention, even though St. Louis City will officially kick off the season by hosting Charlotte FC.

The league’s 2026 schedule was recently released, with the regular season running from February 21 to November 7. The MLS playoffs will be announced later but are set to proceed without interruption during international breaks. This season will be the final full campaign on the current calendar, as the MLS plans to switch to a European-style summer schedule starting in 2027.

The season also marks the league’s first full broadcast on Apple TV outside the MLS Season Pass paywall. Fans can now watch games on the streaming service without needing a separate subscription, increasing accessibility to top soccer matches.

A major factor for the 2026 season is the FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. MLS will take a seven-week break to allow players to participate and to accommodate matches being held at MLS stadiums. Many national teams will also use local facilities as training camps during the tournament. The break will lead to a condensed schedule after the World Cup, with several weekday games planned to complete the regular season by November 7.

Inter Miami will also open its new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, on April 4. The 25,000-seat venue is a major milestone for the club, and Messi will play a key role in its opening match against Austin FC. Miami Freedom Park is the first of three new stadiums in MLS planned over consecutive years, with New York City FC and Chicago Fire FC expected to follow in 2027 and 2028.

Fox will broadcast 34 regular-season games, including multiple doubleheaders leading up to the World Cup. The network will also cover the league’s return after the World Cup semifinals and final. Fans can expect big matchups like Messi’s Miami vs. Philadelphia and Son’s LAFC vs. Seattle Sounders.

Tata Martino has returned to Atlanta United and will coach his first competitive game on February 21 against FC Cincinnati. The 2026 MLS All-Star Game will be held in Charlotte on July 29, shortly after the World Cup concludes. The league has yet to announce the format or opponents for the All-Star match.

Messi’s presence continues to boost MLS attendance and ticket sales, with clubs moving games to larger venues, including NFL stadiums, to meet demand. D.C. United will host Messi in Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium on March 7, following similar high-demand events in Kansas City and Cleveland.

The 2026 season promises a mix of thrilling matches, star-studded appearances, new stadium experiences, and the impact of the World Cup, making it one of MLS’s most anticipated campaigns. Fans can look forward to intense competition and memorable moments as the league continues to grow in the U.S. and around the world.