In early January, SportingKC.com highlighted several marquee competitions that will highlight an action-packed 2021 soccer calendar.
At the time, the question wasn't if Major League Soccer supporters would have plenty to celebrate this year. It was simply a matter of when.
Well, Major League Soccer has since answered a number of lingering questions by announcing the start and end dates of the regular season as well as the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. The USL Championship has also announced that its 2021 campaign will begin on or around May 1.
In light of recent news, we provide updated timelines on high-profile competitions and tournaments at the club and international level in the space below.
MLS
- March 8: Sporting Kansas City begins preseason training
- April 17-18: Opening weekend (34-game regular season begins)
- May and June: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
- Late Summer: Leagues Cup
- Late Summer: MLS All-Star Game
- Nov. 7: Decision Day (34-game regular season concludes)
- Nov. 19: Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs begin
- Dec. 11: MLS Cup
USL Championship
- April 24-May 15: Targeted regular season start date
- Late October: Regular season concludes (32 matches)
- November: USL Championship Playoffs
International
- March 15-28: Concacaf Qualifying for Summer Olympics
- June: Concacaf Nations League Semifinals and Final
- June 11-July 10: Copa America
- June 11-July 11: UEFA Euro
- July 10-Aug. 1: Concacaf Gold Cup
- July 21-Aug. 7: Summer Olympics in Japan
- All FIFA windows: 2022 World Cup Qualifying
