UPDATE: The San Jose Earthquakes have just unveiled their highly anticipated 2026 Major League Soccer schedule, revealing key matchups that fans won’t want to miss. While the schedule does not include a visit from soccer superstar Lionel Messi, it promises excitement with the debut of Thomas Müller, the former World Cup Golden Boot winner, at PayPal Park.
The Earthquakes are coming off a challenging 2025 season where they narrowly missed the playoffs under the leadership of manager Bruce Arena, the league’s all-time winningest coach. Despite a strong May performance that saw them climb the Western Conference standings, the team struggled toward the end, winning only four of their last 15 matches.
Season Opener on February 21
The Quakes will kick off their season at home on February 21 against Sporting Kansas City, with the match starting at 7:30 p.m. Following this, they will host Atlanta United in Week 2, with a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. Notably, they will also face Seattle Sounders FC at home on March 15 at 4 p.m., marking the only early matches on their home schedule. The season culminates with a road game against Minnesota United on November 7.
Thomas Müller Makes Bay Area Debut
Fans are eagerly awaiting May 9 when Thomas Müller makes his first appearance in San Jose as a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The 36-year-old German forward, who previously played for Bayern Munich, is a celebrated figure after winning the Golden Boot in the 2010 World Cup and lifting the trophy in 2014 with Germany. His presence is expected to elevate the excitement around the match.
World Cup Break and Local Events
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in the United States, along with Mexico and Canada, from June 11 to July 18. The Earthquakes will pause their season after a match in Portland on May 23 and will resume on July 22 against Orlando City at home. Fans in the Bay Area won’t miss soccer action during the break, as Levi’s Stadium will host six World Cup matches, including a crucial Round of 32 game on July 1.
Rivalry Matches at Big Venues
The Earthquakes will continue their tradition of high-stakes rivalry matches. They will face the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium for the California Clásico on July 25. Last season, the Quakes had a mixed record against the Galaxy, managing a 1-1-1 outcome. Additionally, they will return to Levi’s Stadium on September 19 to take on LAFC during a special Mexican Heritage Night, following a record attendance game last season.
For fans eager to catch the action, single-game tickets for all matches except the LAFC clash will go on sale Tuesday on the team’s official website. Tickets for the Levi’s Stadium match will be released at a later date.
Stay tuned for the full schedule details and get ready for an exhilarating season of soccer in 2026!
