When does the secondary MLS transfer window close?

Analysis

Tom Weber | Writer

The 2026 secondary Major League Soccer transfer window is open, and clubs around the league are pulling off 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 been completed this summer?

After failing to bring him in during the primary window, Orlando City signed Atletico Madrid and France legend Antoine Griezmann on a free transfer following 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. However, to do so, they had to sacrifice Hugo Cuypers, who was MLS's Golden Boot leader when he joined Monterrey.

Real Madrid legend Casemiro joined Inter Miami on a free transfer after leaving Man Utd. With all three of the Heron's DP spots filled, the Brazil captain will play on a regular contract - at least initially.

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

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

Atlanta United acquired two veteran centre-backs and splashed the cash on Breel Embolo. The Switzerland international became one of MLS's most expensive signings when he arrived for €17m from Stade Rennais. Flop signing Emmanuel Latte Lath departed for Union Berlin on loan.

Sporting Kansas City also shelled out a big fee with the €15.5m signing of Andre Luiz from Olympiacos. They had already bought Moises Mosquera from Juarez for €3.6m and Emir Karic from Sturm Graz for €450,000 beforehand.

Owen Wolff arrived in a sizeable cash trade from Austin. Star striker Dejan Joveljic, meanwhile, was sold to the Seattle Sounders to open up a DP spot in SKC's ongoing rebuild.

The Columbus Crew signed Real Sociedad star Brais Mendez in a €6m deal, but they lost star forward Diego Rossi to Monterrey for €7m and USMNT star Max Arfsten to Middlesbrough for €6.5m. Boro also signed Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.

The Colorado Rapids paid €3m for Loic Williams from Granada in the Spanish second tier in anticipation of the departure of Australian wonderkid Lucas Herrington, who ultimately ended up joining Hull City for €14.8m - MLS's lucrative sale of the year.

Similarly, Real Salt Lake lost their biggest prospect when Crystal Palace bought Zavier Gozo for €13m.

The San Jose Earthquakes traded starting goalkeeper Daniel to Dallas after signing Scotland No.1 Angus Gunn on a Bosman transfer from Nottingham Forest, and they also brought in Eduard Lowen from St. Louis.

In addition to Lowen, City also lost Marcel Hartel, who returned to Germany with Hannover 96. He was replaced with Danish attacker Carlo Holse from Samsunspor in a €5.2m transfer.

The Philadelphia Union brought Kai Wagner back to the club after just six months and reportedly also pre-agreed an eye-catching deal for USMNT defender Mark McKenzie for January.

Former NYCFC star Jack Harrison returned to MLS, linking up with New England in a €1m deal from Leeds.

The LA Galaxy sold Gabriel Pec to Cruzeiro for a handsome €10.5m. Hirving Lozano, Kyogo Furuhashi and Sergi Roberto have joined MLS's record champions as they attempt to make a late playoff push.

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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