When does the secondary MLS transfer window open and close?

Analysis

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

The 2026 secondary Major League Soccer transfer window is now open, and clubs around the league are looking to make major signings to cement their place in the playoffs or to make a late push for a post-season spot.

The 2026 MLS season is the last one in the league's current format. In late 2025, MLS's Board of Governors voted to implement a "European" calendar from 2027, switching from a spring-fall to a fall-spring configuration.

As a result, the transfer window underwent significant changes ahead of the season, and more are expected to follow next year. Ahead of the primary window, MLS announced several rule modifications.

There is no longer an age limit on intra-league loans, while the restriction on the number of cash transfers has also been lifted. The most notable change, however, is that the primary transfer window was shortened and the secondary window extended.

On the agenda for years, MLS was finally able to make this amendment after receiving special dispensation from FIFA to register its three Canadian teams with US Soccer, which meant that changing the length of transfer windows no longer required the approval of Canada Soccer.

Previously, MLS essentially wasted a month of the permitted transfer timeframe by keeping the primary window open until April, when signing quality players from other leagues was virtually impossible.

When did the 2026 primary MLS transfer window open?

The 2026 primary MLS transfer window opened on 26 January.

When did the 2026 primary MLS transfer window close?

The 2026 primary MLS transfer window closed on 26 March.

When did the 2026 secondary MLS transfer window open?

The 2026 secondary MLS transfer window opened on 13 July.

When does the 2026 secondary MLS transfer window close?

The 2026 secondary MLS transfer window closes on 2 September.

What major MLS transfers happened in the offseason?

The 2026 MLS season officially kicked off on 21 February when St. Louis SC hosted Charlotte FC, and clubs spent lavishly in the offseason, helped by the relaxation of intra-league cash transfer rules.

Unsurprisingly, reigning MLS champions Inter Miami completed some of the most expensive and high-profile signings in the offseason. Rodrigo de Paul had his loan from Atletico Madrid made permanent for €15 million.

Despite signing Luis Suarez to a contract extension, the Herons also added a big-money striker in Mexico international German Bertermane, who joined for €12.6m from Monterrey.

Tadeo Allende, who set the record for most single-season playoff goals in 2025, had his loan from Celta Vigo made permanent for €5m. Reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair and former Man Utd full-back Sergio Reguilon joined on free transfers.

Sizeable cash bids for LAFC superstar Denis Bouanga and Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon of the Vancouver Whitecaps were rejected.

Shortly after the season kicked off, Toronto FC managed to pull off the most expensive deal of 2026 so far by recruiting USMNT striker Josh Sargent from Norwich City after a lengthy saga. The upfront €18.7m fee can rise to a league-record €22.9m with add-ons.

The San Jose Earthquakes made their biggest signing in club history when they convinced Timo Werner to trade Leipzig for the Bay Area on a free transfer.

Austin FC also made a splash in the offseason by bringing former Orlando City star Facundo Torres back to MLS. He arrived in an €8m deal from Palmeiras.

DC United revamped their attack with two big-name signings in Louis Munteanu (€6m) from Cluj and Philadelphia Union sharpshooter Tai Baribo (€3.4m).

Mateusz Bogusz also returned to MLS, joining the Houston Dynamo for €5.5m after struggling at Cruz Azul following his move from LAFC.

The New York Red Bulls brought dual nationals Jorge Ruvalcaba and Cade Cowell back to the US from Mexico, with the former joining for €5.5m from Pumas and the latter arriving on an initial loan from Chivas.

Minnesota United pulled off a massive coup by signing Colombia legend James Rodriguez on a free transfer. He joined on a short-term deal until the summer to keep himself fit for the World Cup. The extension option in his deal was not picked up, meaning that he has now left.

There were also major outgoings. Obed Vargas completed a hugely significant transfer from the Seattle Sounders to Atletico Madrid, with the Spanish giants paying €3m despite his expiring contract.

Villarreal, who previously signed Tani Oluwaseyi from Minnesota United, raided MLS again and snapped up Orlando and USMNT star Alex Freeman on a €3.5m deal.

Despite struggling to make an impact at Austin, Osman Bukari was the biggest sale of the offseason, joining Polish side Widzew Lodz for €5.5m.

Elsewhere, Alvaro Barreal left FC Cincinnati to play alongside Neymar at Santos, Chicho Arango returned to Colombia with Atletico Nacional on loan despite signing a contract extension with the San Jose Earthquakes and Brian Gutierrez joined Chivas from Chicago for €4.25m.

What major MLS transfers have already been confirmed for the summer?

Though the secondary window has only just opened, several big deals have already been announced for the second half of the season.

After failing to bring him in during the primary window, Orlando City have signed Atletico Madrid and France legend Antoine Griezmann on a free transfer after the conclusion of the European season.

The Chicago Fire pulled off an equally monumental deal by signing Barcelona and Poland icon Robert Lewandowski, who had been a target for the club for years. The Fire are also among the clubs keen to sign Germany international Leon Goretzka.

Casemiro is expected to join Inter Miami after leaving Man Utd, though the Herons still need to agree compensation with the LA Galaxy for his Discovery Rights. The Brazilian may be forced to play on a regular contract as Miami already have three Designated Players.

Charlotte FC have replaced Wilfried Zaha with fellow former Premier League star Allan Saint-Maximin, who joins the club after a fairytale season at RC Lens in France.

NYCFC have finally signed a marquee forward in Basel winger Benie Traore, who has joined in an €8.8m deal.

Atlanta United have acquired veteran Paraguay international Junior Alonso on a free transfer, while Saba Lobjanidze has been traded to Real Salt Lake. RSL have also made the signing of loanee Juan Jose Arias permanent for €1.7m. The defender joins from Atletico Nacional in Colombia.

Midfielder Nelson Palacio has left RSL for Toronto. Daniel Pereira has joined Montreal from Austin for a sizeable chunk of General Allocation Money. Similarly, the Houston Dynamo have signed Orlando striker Duncan Maguire for a healthy GAM package.

The Columbus Crew have signed Real Sociedad star Brais Mendez in a €6m deal, but they have lost star forward Diego Rossi to Monterrey for €7m.

The Colorado Rapids, meanwhile, have announced the purchase of Loic Williams from Granada in the Spanish second tier. They have paid €3m for the 24-year-old centre-back.

The San Jose Earthquakes have traded starting goalkeeper Daniel to Dallas after signing Scotland No.1 Angus Gunn on a Bosman transfer from Nottingham Forest.

FC Cincinnati held exploratory talks with Brazil superstar Neymar, but these discussions came to nothing. Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City and San Diego are interested in signing Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, who is a free agent after leaving the Reds.

SKC are also in discussions over big-money deals for Toulouse winger Yann Gboho and Olympiacos forward Andre Luiz as they look to make up for a poor offseason that has left them rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference.

Kansas have already signed Moises Mosquera from Juarez for €3.6m and Emir Karic from Sturm Graz for €450,000.

The LA Galaxy have sold Gabriel Pec to Cruzeiro for a handsome €10.5m, the largest sale of the year so far.

Written by

Tom Weber | Writer

Tom Weber is an experienced, multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer as part of his freelance work for FootballTransfers.

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