MLS branded its opening weekend as “MLS is Back” with all 30 teams in action and a revised broadcast arrangement that removed a separate paywall on Apple TV. The league also unveiled “Walmart Saturday Showdown,” with the inaugural matchup featuring defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami and LAFC at L.A. Memorial Coliseum before 75,763 fans. That marks the largest opening-day crowd in MLS history, the second-highest single-game crowd in MLS history (behind 82,110 at the Rose Bowl for Galaxy-LAFC on July 4, 2023) and the highest attended match in global soccer for the day. LAFC’s 3-0 victory was its league-record ninth without a loss in season openers. It was the second time in league history that an opening game was a rematch of the MLS Cup from the previous season. Earthquakes-Galaxy was the previous time in 2001. Opening weekend closes today with Galaxy-NYCFC and Sounders-Rapids (SBJ).
History made. Largest opening day crowd in MLS history at tonight’s match between LAFC & Inter Miami 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/g7WxlNWZdq
— Don Garber (@thesoccerdon) February 22, 2026
