Heard both all of December and mid-December through either the first or third weekend of February. Avoiding restarting the second weekend as that's traditionally the Super Bowl.
I'm suprised they aren't doing it next year - short sprint to the World Cup and then start again in August. But it's a logistical nightmare and they probably couldn't get everything lined up.
From a Paul Tenorio article in The Athletic: The plan is for the MLS regular season to span from the middle of July to April, with playoffs staged in May. A winter break would take place in December and January. Games would likely pause from around the second week in December through the first or third week in February. MLS understandably is trying to avoid restarting the league on Super Bowl weekend. There would also be a summer break in June and July. “When we look at the footprint, 91 percent is the same as the current footprint,” MLS executive Nelson Rodriguez said. Also: Rodriguez noted that the league will probably play more games in December and February in warmer markets, and likely more games in the hottest summer months in the northern markets, but noted the league’s principle is to not have a team play more than three games in a row on the road or at home. The quote directly above tells me that some thought has gone into how climate plays into the new MLS calendar. I would hope that "cold weather" teams like the Rapids will be given the option to have home matches start in the early afternoon local time from October - March rather than at 7:30pm. With the calendar beginning in mid-July after the playoffs end in may there's a quick turnaround for those teams that go deep into the playoffs as training for the next season will begin in mid-June.
We're going to have to see how far into July they can pull the schedule. There's a mandated amount of time off for players.
My wrap-up after a big day of MLS news https://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2025/11/massive-day-of-mls-news.html
So much to process! Thanks for all of the above analyses of what is known so far. When I first heard about this, I was sad to face the fact that my 20 year run as a season ticket holder was going to have to come to an end. I simply can't sit through games in 20 degree weather and snow anymore. But with the month off during the coldest times...who knows? I strongly second unkiemark's suggestion above. I have never understood why afternoon starting times were not the norm for games here and in colder weather spots during the coldest months. I worry about how this change will impact the longterm viability of this franchise in particular. Instead of competing for attendance and TV viewership against the Rockies, the Rapids will now be in direct competition with the Broncos and college football. And will this only exacerbate the divide between large and small market teams? Won't this make the teams in warm weather states like California and Florida even more appealing to high priced imports?
Took at stab at the potential conferences: 1st Choice: Northeast Conference: Montreal, NE Revs, NYCYC, NYRB, Philly, Toronto Southeast Conference: DCU, Charlotte, Nashville, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami Central Conference: Minnesota, Chicago, St. Louis, SKC, Columbus, Cincy Southwest Conference: Dallas, Austin, Houston, Salt Lake, Colorado, San Diego West Coast Conference: Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Jose, LA Galaxy, LAFC 2nd Choice: Northeast Conference: Montreal, NE Revs, NYCFC, NYRB, Philly, Toronto Southeast Conference: DCU, Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami Central Conference: Minnesota, Chicago, SKC, St, Louis, Cincy, Columbus Rocky Mountain Conference: Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Jose, Salt Lake, Colorado Desert Plains Conference: LAFC, LA Galaxy, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, Houston
For the west people are settling around your second choice as the likely result. I can't see them separating the 3 SoCal teams or the 3 PNW teams, so San Jose is going to be the odd team out.
Agree. San Jose and DCU were he hardest teams to place. It's less geographic and more so with their recent histories.... or lack thereof. SJ didn't feel worthy enough to lumped in with the more successful So Cal clubs. Same with DC.... they just didn't feel right being lumped with Philly and the NY teams. They both felt like odd team out. Maybe if either team had be worth a shit the last 15 years, then I'd feel different. Above all, I think MLS has to hit a homerun with these conferences. I want the same feel as the NFL conferences. It could be really fun for fanbases to have the MLS version of the AFC West.
Yeah, it's a lot of stuff happening. This off season pretty much demands that the Rapids have to adapt to all the changes that are being forced on them. That's going to be tough for a team that's always seemed to act like they are smarter than all the other teams. It's always been "The Rapids Way", year after mediocre year. So the big question now is--will they actually do something different?
https://www.coloradorapids.com/fanforum The club is hosting a fan forum. If you are able, you should attend. We need to reinforce how unhappy we are about how the club is being run. Date: Wednesday, December 3 Time: 6:00 p.m. MT Location: The Celtic on Market, 1400 Market St, Denver, CO 80202
The schedule is allegedly supposed to drop today. I'm hearing rumors one of the home fixtures will include Miami at Mile High.
It has dropped and Miami will be here in April. No announcement where that game will be played yet. I'm honestly flabbergasted that sporting merit won out over money on this one. Its really hard to excuse that Miami has never been to Colorado but I expected MLS to keep feeding the bigger markets with Messi.
New species unlocked 🔓 April 18, 2026 will be 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/m8SHf5eFvD— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) November 20, 2025
Analysis of the surprise schedule release today https://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2025/11/schedule-surprise.html
Wow, if they play at Mile High and don't bring Messi, I foresee a huge PR problem and angry ticketholders
30 years. One epic matchup.Guarantee your seats by securing your 2026 Season Ticket Membership now!🎟️» https://t.co/gbEXWbhvqH#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/kWXm64rVYh— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) November 20, 2025
Does anyone know when single game tickets go on sale? I have already received inquiries from some friends who want to buy tickets to the Miami game.
My wife is from Philly, so we bought tickets to the Sixers three years in a row. Embiid never played. While he has knee issues, back then he’d just skip Denver. Never again.
Thanks to the crack web team at the Rapids if you Google "Colorado Rapids announce 2025 year end roster updates" or go ths this link: https://www.google.com/search?q=colorado+rapids+announce+2025+year+end+roster+updates you can see the first two lines of the press announcement that will go out later today. They actually made the link live 22 hours ago but it wasn't until John from C38 googled it this morning that we realized you could see the announcement before they make it official later today. https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/colorado-rapids-announce-2025-year-end-roster-updates
That link is now live and confirms the Google summary. They are negotiating with Amadou, Santos, Larraz, and C. Harris. The buy option for Cobb must be exercised by Dec. 15th. Sam Bassett, Michael Edwards, Nate Jones, and Andreas Maxso will not return.