MLS Receives 12 Expansion Bids

Major League Soccer, North America’s primary soccer division, has received 12 expansion bids as the league seeks to expand to 28 teams in the near future.

There are currently 22 teams in MLS, with Los Angeles FC and a long-discussed Miami franchise due to join the league soon. However, MLS officials are still keen to expand the league and four more slots – two for a 2020 entry and two to follow in 2021 – have gained significant interest.

The price for entry to MLS currently stands at $150m, with 12 prospective new franchises having confirmed their bids. The 12 interested parties are: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Nashville, Phoenix, Raleigh, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, St Louis and Tampa.

The decision as to which bids have been successful in expected later in 2017, with St Louis, Cincinnati, and San Diego reportedly early frontrunners.

The reigning champions of the MLS Cup are Seattle Sounders, who won their first MLS championship in 2016.