UPDATE: The San Jose Earthquakes just released their highly anticipated 2026 Major League Soccer schedule, confirming key matches that fans need to know RIGHT NOW! While Lionel Messi will not be making an appearance, former World Cup Golden Boot winner Thomas Müller is set to make his Bay Area debut on May 9.
The Earthquakes are coming off a challenging 2025 season, narrowly missing the playoffs under manager and sporting director Bruce Arena, the all-time leader in MLS wins. The team saw a surge in performance during May, climbing the Western Conference standings, but faltered with just four wins in their last 15 matches. Fans are eager to see how the team will rebound in this new season.
The Quakes will kick off their 2026 campaign at home on February 21 against Sporting Kansas City, with the match starting at 7:30 p.m.. This is just the beginning, as they will host another home game against Atlanta United in Week 2, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on February 28.
Mark your calendars for March 15, when the Quakes face off against Seattle Sounders FC at 4 p.m. This matchup promises to be an exciting early highlight in the season. The Quakes will conclude their regular season on the road with a match against Minnesota United on November 7.
In an exciting twist, Thomas Müller, now with Vancouver Whitecaps FC after his transfer from Bayern Munich, will be making his first visit to San Jose. Müller, who won the Golden Boot in the 2010 World Cup and helped Germany secure victory in the 2014 tournament, will undoubtedly draw a crowd eager to witness his talent.
Amid these thrilling developments, the Quakes will pause their season for the World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 18 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Following a match on May 23 in Portland, the Earthquakes will resume play on July 22 against Orlando City SC.
The Bay Area will still experience soccer excitement during the World Cup, as Levi’s Stadium is set to host six matches, including a Round of 32 game on July 1. Additionally, there are plans for Bay FC to play at PayPal Park during the four-week NWSL hiatus.
Rivalry games will also be a highlight this season, with the Earthquakes facing the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium for the California Clásico on July 25. This match was highly competitive in 2025, with the teams ending the season with a record of 1-1-1 against each other. The Earthquakes will also return to Levi’s Stadium for a match against LAFC on September 19, which will feature Mexican Heritage Night—a celebration that attracted record attendance last year.
For fans eager to catch the action, single-game tickets for all matches except the LAFC game will go on sale on Tuesday on the team’s official website. Tickets for the Levi’s Stadium match will be available at a later date.
Stay tuned for more updates as the season approaches, and don’t miss the chance to support the San Jose Earthquakes in what promises to be an exhilarating year in Major League Soccer!
