You might be wondering: do MLS games have overtime? The short answer is: it depends on whether it’s a regular season match or a playoff/MLS Cup game. In the regular season, MLS matches do not go into overtime — they finish after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, and a draw is a valid result. But once the stakes are high — playoffs, knockout rounds, or the MLS Cup final — then extra time (two 15-minute halves) is used, followed by a penalty shootout if needed. SansBall will guide you through all the details, what qualifies for overtime, when it kicks in, and how MLS handles draws.
What are regular season rules for ties
No extra time — draws are allowed
- In the regular MLS season, a match that ends level after 90 minutes (plus stoppage time) just ends in a tie. There is no overtime period. Each team takes home one point in the standings.
- MLS’s 2025 competition guidelines reaffirm this: teams get three points for a win, one for a tie, zero for a loss.
Why no overtime in regular season
- This keeps the schedule manageable given travel and the packed calendar in North America.
- It’s also in line with most global leagues, where league matches that aren’t part of knockout competition simply finish as draws.
When overtime (extra time) is used: Playoffs and MLS Cup
Once we enter MLS Cup Playoffs or the MLS Cup Final, the rules shift. These games require a winner, so extra time comes into play if the game is level after regulation.
Where extra time is applicable
- Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and MLS Cup Final: Single-elimination matches. If the score is tied after 90 minutes, extra time follows.
- Wild Card round is a bit different: tied games typically go straight to penalties (no extra time) in that round.
Structure of extra time
- Two halves of 15 minutes each (totaling 30 minutes). No golden goal or sudden death — both periods are played in full.
- If still tied after extra time, the match is decided by a penalty shootout. Five kicks.
Recent changes and format specifics (2023-2025)
MLS has updated its playoff format in recent seasons, and that influences how overtime rules are applied.
- Since 2023, 18 teams qualify for playoffs (nine from each conference). The structure includes a Wild Card match, Round One (best-of-3), followed by single match elimination in later rounds.
- Round One (best-of-3) matches that end in draws go straight to penalties; I.e., no extra time in those games.
- From the Conference Semifinals onward, extra time is used for tied games.
Key terms to know
Here are a few terms that often come up when talking about do MLS games have overtime and related rules:
- Extra time: The 30-minute period (2 × 15 min) played after regulation when a winner is needed.
- Penalty shootout: Kicks to determine winner if still tied after extra time in knockout matches.
- Wild Card Match: First round of the playoff, sometimes no extra time, straight to penalties if tied.
- Round One (best-of-3): Series where some matches can be decided without extra time, depending on format.
Comparison: Regular season vs Playoffs
| Aspect | Regular Season | Playoffs / MLS Cup |
| Draw allowed? | Yes | Only in certain rounds (e.g. Wild Card, Round One if tied) but generally no — a winner must be declared in later rounds. |
| Extra Time used? | No | Yes,. |
| Penalties | No | Yes, if still tied after extra time. |
Why this matters to fans
- Knowing when extra time rules apply affects how you watch the game — especially in playoffs. One substitution, one goal, or even stamina depth can decide everything.
- For players and coaches, strategies shift: pushing for a win in regulation vs managing energy for extra time.
- For fantasy leagues or betting, understanding whether a draw is possible or whether penalties are likely can be critical.
Conclusion
Do MLS games have overtime? Yes — but only when it’s absolutely necessary to determine a winner, like in the playoffs and MLS Cup Final. In the regular season, games simply end in a tie if teams are level after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. SansBall hopes this clears up the confusion between extra time rules, playoffs, and regular season match endings.
If you want, SansBall can also send you a full breakdown of how overtime in MLS compares to extra time rules in the Premier League, Bundesliga, or La Liga — just say the word.
