Since it's founding in 1993, Major League Soccer (MLS) has been ever-increasing in popularity to become America's fourth most well-attended sports league. With the recent arrival of football icon Lionel Messi at Inter Miami C.F., there has never been a better time to bet on the MLS with LiveScore Bet.

Betting on the MLS

A top-flight league that has no relegation, features playoffs to determine the winner rather than points, and one that runs contrary to the FIFA calendar means the MLS is unlike any other league in the world. This means, however, that it offers an abundance of new betting opportunities, even after the traditional football season has finished.

MLS Regular Season

The regular MLS season runs from late February or early March to October and features a mix of both U.S. and Canadian teams. The 2023 season began on the 25th February and runs until the 21st October. This season will see the addition of St. Louis City SC, taking the total number of teams to 29 - 26 from the States and 3 from Canada. The teams are then split by geographical location into the Eastern and Western Conferences. Within each conference, each team plays each other home and away. Due to the unequal number of teams in the conferences, each team also plays several cross-conference games against different opponents.

At the end of the regular season, the top 7 teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs, and the team with the highest overall points total receives the Supporters' Shield. As every team is owned by the MLS (i.e., it is not an association), the MLS has a fixed membership, meaning there is no promotion or relegation.

The MLS Cup Playoffs

Along with the absence of promotion and relegation, what separates the MLS from other leagues is the post-season tournament, the MLS Cup Playoffs, which determines the overall winner, rather than the traditional points total. Taking place in October and November, the playoffs consist of single-elimination matches, with the higher-seeded team playing at home. Teams ranked 2-7 in each conference play in the first round, with the winners advancing to the semi-finals along with the winners of each conference who receive a bye in the first round. The winners of the semis then progress to the MLS Cup, which is played in early December.

The current format for the playoffs has been adopted for the 2023 season, with 18 teams qualifying for the tournament based on regular-season point totals. The nine highest-placed from the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference.

MLS Cup

The MLS Cup is the championship-deciding game and the culmination of the MLS regular season and the playoffs. Held in December, the MLS Cup determines the league champion.

How to Bet on the MLS

The MLS has a wealth of betting opportunities. This includes both outright markets and odds on a per-game basis. You can even bet live with in-play markets available.

Live MLS Betting

Bet live across every game of the MLS season with our in-play markets. Everything from the result, goals, correct score and handicap betting are included in our live betting markets available throughout the season.

Outright Markets

Take your pick to be this season's MLS champions. For clarification, that's the winner of the MLS Cup, rather than the Supporters' Shield. LA Galaxy have both the highest amount of appearances and wins in the MLS Cup, whilst New England Revolution has made 5 MLS Cup appearances but haven't yet managed to come away with the trophy. Inter Miami C.F. are bound to make some noise in the second half of the 2023 season; with their acquisition of Lionel Messi. Could he be what they need to take the cup for the first time? Or will Los Angeles FC defend their title, which they won for the first time in 2022?

The MLS Cup isn't the only outright market you can bet on either; you can also take a punt on bets such as the top goal scorer for the season. Browse all our MLS outrights odds.

Per Game

Follow every game of the MLS season with LiveScore Bet. Bet in advance with the most popular football betting markets, including the result and goals but also goal scorers, corners and cards, with many available in over/under, handicap and halftime markets .

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