The 2026 MLS season is shaping up to be one of the weirdest, most jam-packed years in American soccer history. Honestly, if you aren’t paying close attention to the LA Galaxy game schedule, you’re going to miss half the action before the summer even hits. We've got the World Cup looming over everything, a massive TV rights shift, and a roster that looks ready to defend its status as the league's most decorated club.
The Galaxy is coming off a massive 2024 MLS Cup win, but 2025 was—let's be real—a bit of a disaster. Riqui Puig’s ACL tear basically gutted the team's creative engine. Now, with Puig back and the league expanding its reach, the 2026 calendar isn't just a list of dates; it's a gauntlet.
Opening Acts and Continental Chaos
Things kick off earlier than usual. The Galaxy starts their competitive year not in MLS, but in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
On February 19, 2026, they travel to Panama to face Sporting San Miguelito at Estadio Javier Cruz. It’s a 5:00 PM PT start. If you’ve never watched a mid-week away game in Central America, prepare for chaos. The return leg at Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP) is set for February 25.
Sandwiched right in the middle of that continental tie is the actual MLS home opener. Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 22, 2026. The Galaxy hosts New York City FC at 4:00 PM PT. This isn't just a game; it’s "Sunday Night Soccer," and it’s the first real look at how this squad handles a three-game week right out of the gate.
Spring Home Stand Highlights
- February 28: Charlotte FC comes to Carson. 7:30 PM PT.
- March 14: Sporting Kansas City. 6:30 PM PT.
- April 4: Minnesota United. This one is huge because it’s the Landon Donovan Celebration night. Expect a sell-out.
- April 26: Real Salt Lake. This is arguably the biggest non-rivalry date on the LA Galaxy game schedule because the club is finally unveiling the Cobi Jones statue.
The schedule makers really leaned into the nostalgia this year. Seeing Cobi and Landon honored in the same month feels like the front office is trying to remind everyone who the original kings of LA are, especially with the "noisy neighbors" down the 110 freeway always grabbing headlines.
The Summer Break and the World Cup Factor
The biggest thing you’ve gotta understand about the 2026 schedule is the massive gap in June. Because the United States, Mexico, and Canada are hosting the FIFA World Cup, MLS is essentially going dark for a month.
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You won't see a Galaxy match from late May until mid-July.
The final game before the break is May 23 against Houston Dynamo (Star Wars Night, because of course). After that, the players basically go into a mini-preseason or head off to their respective national teams. It’s a long wait. It’s kinda frustrating if the team has momentum, but it’s great if they’re nursing injuries.
When they return on July 17, they hit the ground running with the first El Tráfico of the season.
The Rivalry: El Tráfico Dates
Let’s talk about LAFC. It’s the game everyone looks for first. In 2026, we get two regular-season editions, and the timing is spicy.
The first meeting happens Friday, July 17, 2026, at Dignity Health Sports Park. Kickoff is 7:30 PM PT on FS1 and Apple TV. It’s the "Welcome Back" game after the World Cup hiatus. The atmosphere in Carson for these games is usually better than the Rose Bowl matches because the fans are right on top of the pitch.
The second meeting is a late-season clash on Sunday, October 25, 2026. This one takes place at BMO Stadium at 6:00 PM PT. Depending on how the Western Conference standings look, this could easily determine who gets a home-field advantage in the playoffs. With Son Heung-Min now leading the line for LAFC and Puig back for the Galaxy, the star power is arguably the highest it’s ever been for this derby.
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Watching the Games: The Apple TV Era 2.0
You’ve probably heard, but the way we watch matches has changed again. Starting in 2026, the standalone "MLS Season Pass" is gone.
Basically, if you have a regular Apple TV+ subscription, you now get every single MLS game for no extra cost. This is a massive win for fans who were tired of paying for a separate package. No blackouts. No "is it on local TV?" questions.
A few games will still be on FOX or FS1, like the March 22 away game at Portland or the July 17 rivalry match, but the vast majority are exclusive to the Apple interface.
The Final Push: Decision Day 2026
The regular season wraps up with a flurry of games in October. The Galaxy’s "Fan Appreciation Night" is October 31 against Austin FC. It’s a TBD kickoff time, likely shifted for national TV purposes.
But the actual season finale—Decision Day—happens on November 7, 2026.
The Galaxy will be away at Real Salt Lake (America First Field) with a 4:00 PM PT kickoff. If history repeats itself, the West will be decided by a single point.
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Key Away Trips to Watch
Traveling to see the G's? Here are the ones worth the flight:
- May 16 @ Seattle Sounders: Lumen Field is always a vibe, even if the turf is questionable.
- August 29 @ San Diego FC: The new rivalry. This will be the Galaxy’s first-ever trip to Snapdragon Stadium to face the expansion side.
- September 9 @ Vancouver Whitecaps: A midweek trip to BC Place. Vancouver is surprisingly tough at home, and this is a classic "trap game."
Actionable Steps for Fans
Don't just look at the dates; prepare for them.
First, sync your digital calendar. The official LA Galaxy website has a "Sync to Calendar" feature that updates automatically if the league flexes a game time (which happens a lot for TV).
Second, if you’re planning on going to the April 26 statue unveiling for Cobi Jones, buy those tickets now. The "Gold 6-Game Pack" usually includes the high-demand games like the home opener and the LAFC match, which is way cheaper than buying single-game tickets on the secondary market once the hype builds.
Lastly, make sure your Apple TV+ sub is active by mid-February. You don't want to be scrambling for a password ten minutes before the NYCFC game kicks off. The 2026 season is going to be a marathon with a weird month-long sprint in the middle. Stay on top of the schedule, or you'll be watching highlights instead of history.