Honestly, if you haven’t checked a list of MLS clubs in the last year or two, your mental map of American soccer is probably completely out of date. The league is growing so fast it’s actually hard to keep track. We just hit a massive milestone with San Diego FC kicking off their journey, bringing the total count to 30 teams.
It wasn't that long ago—well, okay, the 90s—when we only had 10 teams and half of them were named things like the "Wiz." Now? It’s a multi-billion dollar machine with cathedrals of soccer popping up in cities you wouldn’t have expected a decade ago.
The Current State of the 2026 MLS Landscape
The league is split into two conferences, which is basically a necessity at this point because of the sheer travel distance. You've got 15 teams in the East and 15 in the West. This balance finally feels "right," though there’s always talk of 32 being the magic number.
Western Conference: The Battle for the Pacific and the Desert
The West has become a bit of a juggernaut lately. With the addition of San Diego FC, the California rivalry is officially a three-way (or four-way, if you count San Jose) bloodbath.
- San Diego FC: The newest kids on the block. They play at Snapdragon Stadium and have been making huge waves with signings like Chucky Lozano.
- LAFC & LA Galaxy: The "El Trafico" rivals. LAFC plays at the loud BMO Stadium, while the Galaxy holds down the fort at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.
- Seattle Sounders & Portland Timbers: The Cascadia greats. You cannot talk about MLS history without these two.
- Vancouver Whitecaps: The Canadian representative out West, playing under the dome at BC Place.
- St. Louis CITY SC: They basically broke the league's expectations for expansion teams in 2023 at Energizer Park.
- Real Salt Lake: Deeply underrated, playing in the thin air of America First Field.
- Austin FC: "Verde" culture is real. Q2 Stadium is a fortress.
- FC Dallas & Houston Dynamo: The Texas originals.
- Colorado Rapids: Holding it down in Commerce City.
- Minnesota United: They’ve got the best-looking stadium in the league, Allianz Field.
- Sporting Kansas City: The "Soccer Capital of America" (their words, but they have the trophies to back it up).
- San Jose Earthquakes: The old-school survivors.
It’s worth noting that the Western Conference travel is brutal. Flying from Vancouver to Houston is a five-hour trek. That's longer than some transcontinental flights in Europe.
✨ Don't miss: Kurt Warner Height: What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Legend
Eastern Conference: Big Cities and Bigger Ambitions
The East feels more "metropolitan." You have the massive New York and Florida markets, plus the historic clubs from the league's founding era.
The Big Players in the East
- Inter Miami CF: Let’s be real, most people look at a list of MLS clubs just to see where Messi is playing. They are moving into the massive Miami Freedom Park in April 2026.
- Columbus Crew: The defending champs and proof that "small market" doesn't mean "small ambition." They play at Lower.com Field.
- FC Cincinnati: From USL to winning the Supporters' Shield. TQL Stadium is incredible.
- Atlanta United: They still hold the attendance records at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- New York City FC: Still playing at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field for now, but Etihad Park in Queens is coming in 2027.
- New York Red Bulls: The Harrison, NJ stalwarts.
- Philadelphia Union: The "Doop" at Subaru Park.
- Orlando City SC: The "Purple Wall" at Inter&Co Stadium.
- Charlotte FC: Filling NFL stadiums in North Carolina.
- Nashville SC: Geodis Park is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the US.
- D.C. United: One of the most decorated clubs in history, playing at Audi Field.
- New England Revolution: Still at Gillette Stadium, but desperately hunting for a downtown Boston home.
- Chicago Fire FC: Back at Soldier Field, though they’re looking at a new training facility and stadium future.
- Toronto FC & CF Montréal: The Eastern Canadian powerhouses. BMO Field and Saputo Stadium are must-visit venues.
Why Does the List Keep Changing?
The expansion fees are insane now. When Toronto joined in 2007, it cost about $10 million. By the time Charlotte and St. Louis rolled around, that number jumped to over **$300 million**. For San Diego, the fee was reportedly $500 million.
People ask me why the league keeps expanding when the talent pool might get diluted. Honestly? It's about the "footprint." MLS wants to be the first or second most popular league in every local market before the 2026 World Cup hits. Speaking of which, the 2026 season is going to be weird. The league is actually taking a break from May 25 to July 16 so the World Cup can take over the stadiums.
A Quick Look at the Numbers
If you're a data person, here is the rough breakdown of how these 30 clubs are distributed geographically:
🔗 Read more: Juan Carlos Gabriel de Anda: Why the Controversial Sportscaster Still Matters
- California: 4 teams (LAFC, Galaxy, Quakes, San Diego)
- Texas: 3 teams (Austin, Dallas, Houston)
- Florida: 2 teams (Miami, Orlando)
- Ohio: 2 teams (Crew, Cincinnati)
- Canada: 3 teams (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver)
- The rest: 16 teams scattered across the US.
The Stadium Revolution
You can't talk about a list of MLS clubs without mentioning where they play. We’ve moved past the days of playing on gridiron-marked turf in cavernous, empty NFL stadiums. Well, mostly.
Most clubs now play in "Soccer-Specific Stadiums" (SSS). These are built for the sport, meaning better sightlines and tighter atmospheres. St. Louis and Cincinnati are the gold standards right now. If you haven't been to a match at a dedicated soccer stadium, you're missing out on the "European" feel that's finally taken root in North America.
What’s Next for the MLS Club List?
Is 30 the limit? Probably not. Don Garber, the commissioner, has dropped hints about 32.
Cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Indianapolis are always in the rumors. Indianapolis has a massive project called "Eleven Park" in the works, and Vegas is... well, it’s Vegas. They want a team for everything now.
💡 You might also like: Ja Morant Height: Why the NBA Star Looks Bigger Than He Actually Is
But for 2026, the list is set. 30 clubs. 34 matches each. One massive break for the World Cup.
If you're looking to follow a team this year, here are three things you should actually do:
- Download the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV: It sounds like a sales pitch, but it’s actually the only way to see every single team on this list without blackouts.
- Check the "Decision Day" Date: For 2026, it's November 7. This is when all the final playoff spots are decided in a chaotic afternoon of simultaneous matches.
- Visit an Expansion Stadium: If you're near San Diego or Miami, go see the new grounds. Snapdragon Stadium and the upcoming Miami Freedom Park are the future of the league.
The 2026 season is going to be the biggest year in the history of the sport on this continent. Whether you're a die-hard or just curious because of the World Cup hype, knowing who plays where is the first step.