You've probably seen the headlines about the 2026 World Cup coming to North America, but for folks in Tennessee, the real drama starts way before that. Honestly, the Nashville Soccer Club schedule for 2026 is a bit of a logistical puzzle. It’s not just a standard 34-match grind this time. Between a massive mid-season pause for the World Cup and a return to international play, the Boys in Gold are looking at one of the most stop-and-go years in club history.
If you're planning your weekends around GEODIS Park, you need to know that the rhythm is totally different this year. It's not the usual Saturday-to-Saturday routine we’ve grown used to at "The Castle."
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The 2026 Kickoff and the Canadian Connection
Nashville SC doesn't even start their year in the U.S. Because they won the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, they earned a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup. That means the season actually begins in the freezing cold of Ottawa.
On Tuesday, February 17, Nashville faces Atlético Ottawa for the first leg of Round One. They’ll bring them back to Nashville for the second leg on February 24.
Sandwiched right in between those two international dates is the actual MLS home opener. Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. CT. The New England Revolution are coming to town. It’s a lot of soccer in seven days. You've basically got a three-match gauntlet before the season is even a week old.
Why the Schedule Looks So "Empty" in June
This is the big one. Most casual fans are going to look at the June calendar and think their app is glitching. It isn’t. MLS is taking a hard pause from May 25 to July 16 for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Since the U.S., Mexico, and Canada are hosting, the league is staying out of the way. This means Nashville SC effectively has a "second opening day" on July 17 against Atlanta United. That match is going to be massive. It’s a Friday night, it’s a rivalry, and everyone will be starving for club soccer after weeks of international play.
Nashville Soccer Club Schedule: Key Home Matches at GEODIS Park
If you’re only picking a few games to attend, the 2026 slate has some clear standouts. The club has already leaned into some fun theme nights, too.
- March 7 vs. Minnesota United FC: This is officially "Barbie Game Day." Don't ask me why, just bring your pink gear.
- April 25 vs. Charlotte FC: A regional rivalry that is getting more heated every year. Plus, it’s Star Wars Night.
- May 17 vs. LAFC: This is the big Western Conference test. LAFC is always a title contender, and Nashville needs this to prove they belong in the elite tier.
- August 15 vs. Inter Miami CF: This is the one everyone wants. Whether or not the big stars travel, GEODIS Park is always electric for this fixture.
- October 31 vs. New York Red Bulls: A Halloween home finale. Expect chaos on the pitch and in the stands.
The back half of the year is actually very home-heavy. After a brutal road stretch in April where the team visits Chicago, Charlotte, and Atlanta in three consecutive weeks, they get to settle in.
How to Watch (And the Apple TV Change)
Watching the matches is getting a lot simpler, but it’s a big shift for long-time fans. The standalone MLS Season Pass is basically a thing of the past for 2026.
Starting this season, every single Nashville SC match is included with a standard Apple TV+ subscription. You don’t have to buy the extra "Season Pass" add-on anymore. If you have Apple TV+, you have the games. No blackouts. No local TV hunting.
For the season ticket holders, the news is even better. Your 2026 package actually includes an Apple TV subscription. It’s a nice perk that offsets some of those ticket price creeps we've seen lately.
Road Trip Realities
If you’re a traveling fan, the 2026 road schedule is "kinda" top-heavy. As I mentioned, April is a nightmare. But keep an eye on October 10. Nashville heads to Austin for a rematch of the 2025 U.S. Open Cup Final. That’s going to be a sentimental and likely very aggressive match.
The season ends on Decision Day, November 7, away at FC Cincinnati. It’s a 3:00 p.m. CT kickoff. Ending the season at TQL Stadium is never easy, but if playoff seeding is on the line, that 300-mile drive up I-71 will be full of Nashville supporters.
Actionable Tips for the 2026 Season
Don't wait until the week of a big match to sort your plans. The World Cup atmosphere is going to make soccer tickets in the U.S. much harder to find this summer.
- Download the Digital Calendar: The club offers a direct sync to your phone. With the mid-season pause and Champions Cup dates, you will lose track of games if they aren't in your calendar.
- Check the "Legacy Lineup": If you’re a season ticket member, remember you have that new $4 concessions menu this year for hot dogs and popcorn. Use it.
- Validate your Apple TV Login: Do this in early February. Don't be the person trying to find your password five minutes before the New England kickoff.
- Budget for Midweek Matches: With Leagues Cup and Champions Cup, Nashville will play several Wednesday night games. These are usually the cheapest tickets on the secondary market if you're looking for a deal.
The 2026 season is a marathon with a six-week nap in the middle. It’s weird, it’s unique, and it’s going to be a wild ride for the Boys in Gold.