Eliminated from 2026 playoffs, San Diego FC looks towards 2027 “Sprint Season”

San Diego FC followed their record-breaking inaugural season, finishing atop the Western Conference standings, by missing the playoffs entirely. Apparently the club is not dwelling on the disappointment too much. It’s already preparing for what will undoubtedly be the most unique year in Major League Soccer history.

2027 will be what they’re calling a “Sprint Season” where they play a mere 14 games, fewer than half the number of a typical MLS campaign, with seven at home and seven on the road. San Diego FC will play each member of the Western Conference once and the top eight teams will earn a spot in the single-elimination playoffs.

MLS is making the change to get on the same schedule as most of the world’s major soccer entities, including the English Premiere League. San Diego FC is among those who think one shortened season is worth for what the club sees as several long-term benefits.

“We’ve been quite vocal to say that the switch in calendar is a is a good thing, and I think it’s a good thing from a football quality standpoint,” says Tyler Heaps, SDFC Sporting Director. “I think it’s a really good thing from a player acquisition and a player sales (standpoint). We’re very fortunate that we have the best weather in the world, and so it doesn’t really impact us from a weather standpoint. So, I think it’s a really a real positive for the league.”

The season starts on Sunday, February 21 when they drive north to face LAFC and ends in May with a road trip to Colorado. The full 2027 SDFC schedule looks like this:

Sunday, Feb. 21 @ LAFC 4:00 PM
Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. Real Salt Lake 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 6 2027 FC Dallas Snapdragon Stadium 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 10 @ Seattle Sounders FC 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 13 @ Vancouver Whitecaps FC 6:00 PM
Saturday, March 20 vs. Austin FC 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 27 @ Minnesota United 12:00 PM
Wednesday, April 7 vs. Sporting Kansas City 6:00 PM
Sunday, April 11 vs. Portland Timbers TBD
Saturday, April 17 @ San Jose Earthquakes 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 21 @ Houston Dynamo FC 5:00 PM
Saturday, April 24 vs. St. Louis CITY SC 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 1 vs. LA Galaxy 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 8 @ Colorado Rapids 5:00 PM