Tropics, MASL expanding regular season to 24 games in 2018-19

The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)and Florida Tropics announced today plans for the 2018-2019 season. Each team will play a 24-game schedule, with 12 at home and 12 on the road. The MASL also announced the regular season will run an estimated four months, beginning the weekend of December 1, 2018.

The new format allows teams to bring more great arena soccer action to their fans with a 12-game home schedule. The later start date also allows each team more time to prepare and market to their local communities once the final schedule is released, while also avoiding overlap with in-market fall audience competition. In their first two seasons, the Tropics had their home opener on Nov. 11 and this year, their season opener was on the road Nov. 4. 

“Over the past two seasons we have studied the impact of the MASL’s schedule on our teams and their success. We feel there is more excitement about our game than there has been in a long time. This change in schedule format will allow our teams to capitalize on that excitement and remove many of the roadblocks to delivering the game to fans on more convenient dates,” said MASL Commissioner Joshua Schaub

“Further, we heard from potential ownership groups that they sought more potential dates and revenue. This new schedule obviously accomplishes that desire.”

This format will also better align with broadcast calendars for any future potential partnerships. The MASL continues negotiations with multiple networks seeking arena soccer to be featured content.

Pushing the regular season deeper into March might help the Tropics with their scheduling. This year the team will end with four straight on the road, as they did last year. That's because the Florida High School Athletic Association boy's and girl's basketball championship tournament is at the RP Funding Center -- where the Tropics play -- for the last full week of February and first full week of March.

Florida will be on the road this weekend with two important eastern division matches, starting Saturday night in Harrisburg starting at 7:05 p.m. and a Sunday matinee in Syracuse with a 4:05 kickoff. 

ABOUT THE MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE

The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.