After MLS and the MLS Players Association came to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement, talk immediately swirled around the league's return in 2020. As part of the labor negotiations, the two sides also discussed a plan to get back on the pitch. A lot was rumored. Many options were on the table. But on Wednesday morning, we finally got some answers.
MLS officially confirmed its return to competitive matches with the announcement of the MLS Is Back Tournament.
Slated to start on July 8 in Orlando, the tournament is both a path to resuming the 2020 season and a standalone competition with its own stakes. All 26 teams and their staff will be housed at the Disney World Resort and be subject to a rigorous set of safety protocols and COVID-19 testing both before and during tournament play.
While some aspects of the tournament are still being finalized (the tournament draw will be held June 11 at 12:30 pm PT), we have a pretty good outline of what MLS's return to play is going to look like and its format. Here's what we know so far about the MLS Is Back Tournament in Orlando:
When/Where
- Tournament dates: July 8 - August 11
- Matches played at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando
- All 26 teams based at Disney World Resort
- Teams and staff will be in a "bubble" in Orlando, meaning they'll be restricted to move between the hotel and competition areas only during their stay. (Testing, health, and safety protocols were developed with the input of medical experts and approved by the CDC.) Medical Safety Protocol Guidelines
Format
- World Cup-style format - group stage followed by knockout rounds
- 26 teams divided into 6 groups by conference
- Each team plays a minimum of 3 group-stage matches
- group-stage matches count towards 2020 regular-season standings
- 16 teams advance from the group stage to knockout rounds
- Top two teams in each group and four of the best third-place finishers advance. Competition Guidelines and Tiebreakers
What's At Stake
- Tournament champion receives a 2021 Concacaf Champions League place and additional bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool
- Group-stage matches count towards 2020 regular-season standings
Broadcast
- All matches televised nationally via ESPN, FS1, and Univision
- 2 - 3 matches per day during the group stage
