How to Attend an MLS Game in the United States

Soccer culture in the United States has grown dramatically over the last decade, and going to a match in person is one of the best ways to experience it. While nothing can quite compare to the energy of a game in Europe or South America, I’d have to say that some of our MLS Supporter’s Groups put in a great effort to make the experience feel as authentic as possible.

Whether you’re planning a sports-focused trip or simply want to experience local culture while traveling, here’s everything you need to know about attending a soccer game in the United States.

Why MLS Games Are Worth Planning a Trip Around

Major League Soccer has expanded rapidly in recent years. The league now includes 30 clubs across the United States and Canada, with soccer-specific stadiums and passionate supporter groups in cities nationwide. MLS games are also beginning to draw significant crowds. In 2025, the league averaged 21,988 fans per match and more than 11 million total attendees, making it one of the most attended soccer leagues in the world.

MLS matchdays are becoming a major travel experience for sports fans. I myself have traveled to catch away matches and I know several of the die-hard fans make it to 3 or more away games per season. That’s a lot of travel for just 2-3 hours in the stadium! But if you’re like me and you live and breathe soccer, trips like this are absolutely worth it.

Step 1: Pick a Match to Attend

The MLS regular season typically runs from late February through October, with playoffs held in November and December. (Though this will be changing in 2027).

When choosing a match, consider:

• Rivalry matches – Games like Orlando City vs Inter Miami or Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers often have the best atmosphere. They’re also the toughest to get tickets to, so plan ahead!
• Weekend games – Most MLS matches are played on Saturdays, which makes them easier to build into a travel itinerary. There are occasionally some Wednesday matches.
• Stadium experience – Some stadiums are known for incredible matchday environments, such as Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

If you’re planning travel around a game, checking the MLS schedule early is helpful because kickoff times and dates can shift slightly during the season.

Step 2: Buy Tickets (It’s Usually Easier Than You Think)

Compared to many European leagues, MLS tickets are typically very accessible, which is exactly why I wanted to write this blog. As someone with an upcoming trip to Europe, I thought I could just easily grab a ticket to a match while I’m there. While that may not be the case for me, it is the case for you if you’re traveling to catch a game on U.S. soil.

You can buy tickets through:

• Official club websites

• Ticketmaster or SeatGeek

• Supporter group allocations

• Secondary resale markets

Prices vary widely depending on the stadium and opponent, but many clubs offer tickets starting around $20–$40 per match, especially in general admission areas.

For travelers, buying directly through the club website is usually the simplest option. If you are going to buy resale, I would strongly advise sticking to Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale. If it’s a low-demand game, this might even be cheaper than buying outright as often times it just means a season ticket holder couldn’t make the match and is just trying to recoup a few bucks.

Step 3: Choose the Right Seating Section

Where you sit can dramatically change your experience.

• Supporter Sections – Sitting or standing areas where fans sing, chant, and wave flags for the entire match.
• Midfield seats – Best for watching the game tactically, but also usually the priciest seats.
• Behind the goal – Usually the most exciting seats outside the supporter area. This is my favorite place to sit if I’m not in supporters. Be cautious of overshoots!

If you’re visiting as a neutral fan or first-timer, sitting near the supporter section, but not in it, often gives the most memorable matchday atmosphere.

Quick note on the supporter sections. First, don’t complain about the flags blocking your view. It’s part of the experience and what makes the atmosphere in these sections so intense. Seriously. The players themselves will tell you how intimidating the supporters sections can be. Second, always double check the dress code. I’m no sure how it is for other supporters sections, but at Orlando City, you will be turned away at the door if you try to enter wearing opposing team colors or logos. It’s best to dress neutrally or rep the team!

Step 4: Arrive Early for the Matchday Experience

MLS clubs put a huge emphasis on fan culture and pregame activities. Many stadiums host tailgates with food, music, giveaways and activities. There’s almost always something to do. If you just Google “when to arrive for a game,” it’s probably going to tell you 60-90 minutes before a match. As your resident soccer junkie, I’m here to tell you that’s not enough time to fully experience the fanzones. Especially not if you have tickets to a general admission seating area.

Most stadiums open doors an hour before kickoff. General admission seats are first come, first served even if there’s a seat number on your ticket, so grab your spot early. To really enjoy the tailgate experience, my advice is to plan to arrive at the stadium two hours before kickoff. That gives you one hour at the tailgate and one to guard your seats.

Step 5: Plan Transportation (Downtown Stadiums Are Common)

One of the biggest changes in MLS over the last decade is the shift toward urban stadiums. Many stadiums are located close to city centers or entertainment districts, making them easy to incorporate into a travel itinerary.

Transportation options usually include:

• Public transit

• Rideshare

• Nearby parking garages

• Walking from nearby hotels

When planning a soccer trip, staying near the stadium or in the city center can make the entire experience much easier. If you choose to drive, just be aware that even if getting in was easy, there’s almost always traffic getting out. Take Downtown Orlando for example. There’s a good chance that Saturday night is not only Orlando City Soccer night, but there’s also likely a concert, basketball game, or hockey game right down the block at Kia Center. All of the game attendees are trying to leave downtown while all of the club goers are trying to get in. Traffic NIGHTMARE! (And exactly why I recommend staying at The Grand Bohemian when visiting Orlando.)

A Season Ticket Holder Tip: Free Away Game Tickets

If you really get into MLS fandom, there are some interesting perks for season ticket holders. For example, Orlando City season ticket members can request tickets to select away matches, typically up to two tickets per account, as long as they provide proof of travel.

I actually used this perk a couple of years ago when I traveled to New York to watch Orlando City play NYCFC. Being able to combine a 7 day trip to visit a friend with an away match made the whole experience even more fun. And it’s a great example of how MLS culture encourages traveling fans.

If you’re someone who enjoys sports travel, this kind of benefit can make MLS trips even more affordable.

Looking Ahead: World Cup 2026

Soccer interest in the United States is expected to grow even more with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Many MLS stadiums and cities will play a role in the tournament’s atmosphere, and the event is expected to bring millions of traveling fans to North America.

If you’re looking to experience the atmosphere of the World Cup, even if you can’t get tickets to the match itself, check back here or on my social media accounts starting April 1st. I’ll be posting full World Cup travel guides for each of the host cities including 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day itineraries. Each itinerary will include hotel recs, sports bars to catch the games, and other local things to check out while you’re in the area.

Why Soccer Travel Is Growing

More travelers are building trips around sports experiences. Instead of simply visiting a destination, they want to experience local culture. And sporting events are one of the best ways to do that!

Soccer games offer built-in entertainment as well as a glimpse into local fan culture. They’re super easy social experiences, even for introverts like me. They don’t call it the world’s game for nothing. This sport brings people together.

If you’re already planning a trip to a U.S. city with an MLS team, adding a match to your itinerary can be one of the highlights of the trip. If you’re thinking about attending an MLS game during your travels, I can help plan the logistics around it, including booking flights, finding hotels near the stadium, and itinerary planning so your matchday fits perfectly into the trip. Just reach out and tell me which city you’re looking to visit.

Sports travel is one of the most fun ways to explore a destination, and MLS games make it surprisingly easy to build an entire weekend around a match.