The wait is over. The 31st Major League Soccer season officially kicks off today, February 21, 2026, marking the start of a landmark year for the sport in North America. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming on the horizon this summer, the league is launching with unprecedented fanfare, headlined by a colossal MLS 2026 opening day clash: Lionel Messi’s defending champions Inter Miami CF taking on Heung-min Son’s LAFC at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum.
A Clash of Icons: Messi vs. Son at the Coliseum
Tonight’s marquee matchup—dubbed the debut of the Walmart Saturday Showdown—features two of the game's biggest global stars facing off in a venue steeped in sporting history. Lionel Messi, fresh off a contract extension that keeps him in Miami through the 2026 season, leads the reigning MLS Cup champions into Los Angeles. He faces a new but formidable rival in Heung-min Son, who joined LAFC from Tottenham Hotspur in a record-breaking $26 million transfer last August.
For Son, this is his first full season in MLS, and the stakes couldn't be higher. "Devoting everything to the team I am with is respect for my mental health, physical health, and the team's fans," Son told reporters during the preseason, shutting down offseason transfer rumors. The South Korean captain’s arrival has energized the LAFC fanbase, creating a fervor reminiscent of Messi’s own landing in 2023. Tonight’s game at the Coliseum is expected to draw a sell-out crowd, setting the tone for a season defined by star power.
World Cup Year: The Road to 2026
This isn't just another season; it is the prelude to the main event. With the Major League Soccer 2026 schedule designed around the FIFA World Cup hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, every match feels like an audition. The league will pause action from May 25 to July 16, allowing stars like Messi, Son, and top USMNT World Cup year players to join their national teams without missing club action.
The intensity of the first three months will be palpable as players fight for roster spots. Inter Miami, looking to defend their 2025 title, will also be navigating a transition of their own, with their move to the new Miami Freedom Park scheduled for April. Meanwhile, other clubs are loading up; Toronto FC recently made waves by signing USMNT striker Josh Sargent for a reported $22 million, adding to the league's growing attacking talent pool.
Revolutionary Broadcast Changes: MLS on Apple TV Free
In a massive shift for fans, Apple and MLS have torn down the paywall. Starting today, MLS on Apple TV is free for all Apple TV subscribers, eliminating the separate "MLS Season Pass" fee that existed in previous years. This strategic move aims to maximize viewership during this critical World Cup year, putting the Inter Miami vs LAFC scores and highlights in front of millions of potential new fans worldwide.
Viewers tuning in tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET will also notice enhanced production values. The new broadcast package promises "Shot on iPhone" dynamic angles and deeper analytical coverage, designed to bring fans closer to the action than ever before. Whether you are watching for the tactical battle between Tata Martino and LAFC’s squad or simply to see Messi and Son trade goals, access has never been easier.
MLS is Back Weekend: What to Watch
While all eyes are on Los Angeles, the MLS is Back weekend slate is packed with intrigue across the continent. St. Louis CITY SC hosts Charlotte FC in the season opener at 2:30 p.m. ET, followed by FC Cincinnati welcoming Atlanta United. But make no mistake—the football world’s attention is fixed on the Coliseum. As Messi chases Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goal record and Son looks to cement his legacy in America, tonight’s kickoff is more than a game; it’s the opening ceremony for the biggest year in American soccer history.
