Along with a new scheduling format, Major League Soccer is preparing to overhaul its playoff structure in the 2027-28 season.
The 30-team league, which will switch to a fall-to-spring schedule in 2027-28 to match other soccer leagues, is eyeing a post-season format with as many as 20 teams, The Guardian reported Thursday.
The league is also planning to move away from two conferences and go with a five-division setup.
The top 20 teams, regardless of division, would advance to the post-season.
The bottom eight would play in a play-in round, with the winners advancing to join 12 other teams.
The top eight in the regular-season standings would play in a double-elimination round. A win would send a team to the quarterfinals, while losers would get a second life in another playoff round, similar to the Page Playoffs in curling.
Currently, the top nine teams in each conference make the MLS playoffs.
MLS will play a shortened season in 2027 before going to its new schedule for the 2027-28 season.