Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Axios
Axios
Sport

Charted: The rapid rise of Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer Soccer MLS

Major League Soccer is poised to have 30 teams in less than three decades, faster than any other major sports league in North America.

Driving the news: The MLS awarded San Diego an expansion franchise that's set to begin play in 2025.

Zoom in: The newer leagues tend to reach 30 teams faster. The second youngest of the bunch, the NBA, took 58 years to reach 30 teams, twice as long as MLS.

  • The MLB — with a long history dating back to the 19th century — took 122 years to reach the 30 mark.

The big picture: The MLS is threatening to overtake the NHL as the fourth most popular league in North America, and many companies are trying to cash in on soccer's rapid ascent.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Will there be an Arcane season 3? Here's what the creators have said about what's coming next
A look ahead to League of Legends' on-screen future
Total Film
Total Film
I Tried Lab-Grown Salmon. Here's What It Tasted Like.
Cultivated meat is getting better and better. That's why states keep trying to ban it.
Reason
Reason
Beatles songs "imprinted" on Paul Reiser
On "Everything Fab Four," he discusses his new comedy special, working with Michael McDonald and visiting Liverpool
Salon
Salon
Best tinted serums to get your skin glowing
The ultra-lightweight base product packed with skin-loving ingredients
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Dua Lipa’s pickle drink is latest twist in growing appreciation for ‘dirty’ cocktails
Brine from pickled onions, beetroot, pickles and even oysters is now a fixture on bar menus across the UK
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Why everyone’s obsessed with this new bedtime routine, and the truth about its health effects
IN FOCUS: As the trend of taping one’s lips closed at night goes viral, Inga Parkel speaks to experts about whether the practice actually has any aesthetic benefits – or if it’s yet another online sensation best to brush off
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play