MLS Announces Major Expansion Plans for Future Growth

Major League Soccer Sets Sights on 32 Teams

Major League Soccer is preparing for its next phase of expansion, with Commissioner Don Garber recently expressing bullish optimism about adding new franchises beyond the current 30-team structure. The league, which began with just 10 teams in 1996, has undergone remarkable growth and now appears poised to reach 32 teams in the coming years.

Strategic Expansion Push

The expansion discussion comes at a critical time for North American soccer. 'The U.S. and Canada could support a couple more teams,' Garber stated in recent comments, emphasizing the growing appetite for professional soccer across the continent. This strategic positioning appears timed to compete with the USL's announced plans to launch a rival top-flight competition.

Expansion fees have skyrocketed over MLS's history, from just $5-20 million in the early years to a staggering $325 million for the 30th team. The league considers several key criteria when evaluating potential expansion markets: committed ownership with financial resources, stadium plans (preferably soccer-specific), market size, and established local fan bases.

San Diego FC Leads Current Expansion

The 2025 season marks the debut of San Diego FC, the league's 30th franchise. The team will play at Snapdragon Stadium, a 35,000-seat venue, with ownership led by Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. 'This expansion represents our commitment to growing the beautiful game in strategic markets,' said an MLS spokesperson.

San Diego's entry continues MLS's pattern of carefully selected expansion markets that balance geographic distribution with market potential. The league has expanded from 10 teams to 30 over nearly three decades, with particularly rapid growth since 2005 that saw the league nearly double in size by 2014.

Future Expansion Candidates

Several cities have emerged as strong candidates for future MLS expansion. Las Vegas remains attractive despite becoming a crowded sports market, though it currently lacks a soccer-specific stadium. Sacramento, which previously had an MLS franchise awarded but lost it, is reviving plans for a 20,100-seat stadium.

Phoenix presents an interesting market opportunity, while Oakland offers potential with no major league competitors remaining in the city. Indianapolis has recently gained attention with Garber meeting local leaders about expansion possibilities. 'Many more cities could support top-level professional men's soccer,' Garber noted, dismissing concerns about talent dilution given soccer's global player pool.

Competitive Landscape and Timing

The expansion push comes as MLS faces increased competition from the USL's Division One ambitions. The strategic timing appears designed to limit USL's market options by securing key cities first. USL faces significant challenges meeting U.S. Soccer Federation requirements for top-tier status, including needing 12+ teams in metro areas over 1 million people with 15,000+ capacity stadiums.

Garber's expansion optimism contrasts with some past caution, reflecting the league's strengthened position following successful expansions in markets like Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles FC. The commissioner emphasized that soccer's global nature provides 'an unlimited amount of talent' to support additional teams.

What's Next for MLS Growth

While no formal expansion timeline has been announced, the league's leadership appears increasingly open to growing beyond 30 teams. The success of recent expansions and the competitive threat from USL's plans have accelerated discussions about additional franchises.

As MLS continues its transformation under Garber's leadership, the expansion conversation represents both a strategic business decision and a reflection of soccer's growing popularity in North America. With careful market selection and continued investment in infrastructure, MLS appears well-positioned to reach its 32-team goal while maintaining competitive balance across the league.