<p>Major League Soccer has grown from a curiosity into a genuine betting option for Australian punters.</p> <p>The league now features some of the biggest names in world football, matches kick off at reasonable hours for Aussie viewers, and the betting markets offer plenty of value if you know where to look.</p> <p>MLS sits in an interesting spot. It's not quite at the level of the Premier League or La Liga, but it's far from a backwater. The quality gap between the best and worst teams creates opportunities, and the unique aspects of American soccer, from coast-to-coast travel to altitude games in Colorado, can give informed punters a potential edge over the bookies.</p> <h2>MLS Season Format Explained</h2> <p>The league has 30 teams split into two conferences. The Eastern Conference and Western Conference each have 15 teams, and while they mostly play within their own conference, there's crossover throughout the season.</p> <p>Each team plays 34 regular season matches, 17 at home and 17 on the road.</p> <p>The 2026 season runs from February 21 through to Decision Day on November 7, when the final playoff spots are decided.</p> <p>Keep in mind that the 2026 MLS season will see one major interruption: a six-week break from late May to mid-July for the FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.</p> <p>That World Cup break matters for betting, since the season essentially splits into two halves, and form from the first half doesn't always carry over. Teams can look completely different after the break due to new signings, injuries, or players returning from international duty.</p> <p>The top teams from each conference qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, which run through November and December. The format includes early rounds with best-of-three series before shifting to single elimination. The whole thing culminates in the MLS Cup final.</p> <p>Many do not know this, but the MLS actually awards two trophies:</p> <ul> <li>The Supporters' Shield goes to the team with the best regular season record regardless of conference.</li> <li>The MLS Cup goes to the team that wins the playoffs. They're separate achievements, and you can bet on both.</li> </ul> <p>Looking at the 2026 MLS lineups, star power has never been higher. Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami, the 2025 MLS Cup champions. Son Heung-min joined LAFC. These marquee signings have lifted the league's profile and created genuine interest from punters worldwide.</p> <h2>MLS Betting Markets</h2> <p>Sportsbet offers comprehensive MLS coverage. Here's what you'll find.</p> <h3>Match Result (Three-Way)</h3> <p>The standard match result market gives you three options: home win, away win, or draw. This is different from NRL or AFL betting where draws are rare enough to ignore. In <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer">soccer betting</a>, draws happen regularly, around 20-25% of MLS matches end level.</p> <p>Three-way markets cover regulation time only. That's 90 minutes plus whatever stoppage time the referee adds. If you're betting on a playoff match and it finishes level after 90 minutes, your bet is settled as a draw even if one team goes on to win in extra time or penalties.</p> <h3>Asian Handicap and Spread Betting</h3> <p>Handicap betting levels the playing field when one team is heavily favoured. The stronger team starts with a goal deficit, the weaker team starts with a head start.</p> <p>Common lines sit between -0.5 and -1.5 goals. If you back a team at -1.5, they need to win by two or more goals for your bet to land. Back the underdog at +1.5 and they can lose by one goal and you still win.</p> <p>You'll also see quarter lines like -0.75 or +1.25. These split your stake across two handicaps. A -0.75 line means half your bet goes on -0.5 and half on -1.0. If the team wins by exactly one goal, you win half and push half.</p> <p>Draw No Bet is another option. It removes the draw entirely. Back a team and if they win, you win. If they lose, you lose. If it's a draw, your stake is refunded.</p> <h3>Totals (Over/Under)</h3> <p>Totals betting asks whether the combined goals will be over or under a set line. The most common line is 2.5 goals. Over 2.5 wins if there are three or more goals. Under 2.5 wins if there are two or fewer.</p> <p>One thing everyone should know when it comes to betting on the MLS, is that this league tends to be a higher-scoring league than most European competitions.</p> <p>The average sits around 2.8 to 3.0 goals per game. Defensive standards aren't as tight, and attacking talent is concentrated among the top teams. This pushes overs into profitable territory more often than you might expect.</p> <p>Alternate lines are available too. Over 1.5 is safer but pays less. Over 3.5 pays better but hits less often. Team totals let you bet on one side's goals only, useful when you fancy a team to score but aren't sure about the match result.</p> <h3>Both Teams to Score</h3> <p>BTTS is a simple yes or no market. Will both teams find the net? It doesn't matter who wins or what the final score is. If both teams score at least once, yes wins. If either team fails to score, no wins.</p> <p>This market works well in MLS because clean sheets are harder to come by. When two attack-minded teams meet, BTTS yes often provides value. Check each team's recent games for scoring and conceding patterns before diving in.</p> <h3>Goalscorer Markets</h3> <p>You can bet on individual players to score. First goalscorer pays the best but is hardest to hit. Last goalscorer is similarly difficult. Anytime goalscorer is more forgiving, your player just needs to score at any point in the match.</p> <p>One thing to check: players typically need to be on the pitch for your bet to stand. If your selection doesn't start and doesn't come off the bench, your stake is usually refunded. But if they play even a minute and don't score, you lose. Always check Sportsbet's specific rules for these markets.</p> <h3>Correct Score</h3> <p>Predicting the exact final score pays well but it's a tough market to crack consistently. The most common MLS scorelines are 1-1, 2-1, 1-0, and 2-2. If you're feeling confident about a low-scoring match, backing 1-0 or 1-1 can offer decent value.</p> <p>Some punters use correct score groups, bundling several scorelines into one bet. It reduces your odds but improves your hit rate. Worth considering if you have a read on the match but can't pin down the exact score.</p> <h3>Futures and Outrights</h3> <p>Futures let you bet on season-long outcomes. The biggest market is MLS Cup winner, but you can also bet on Supporters' Shield winner, conference winners, and individual awards like the Golden Boot for the league's top scorer.</p> <p>The best value in futures usually comes early. Before the season starts or in the opening weeks, odds are based on projections rather than actual form. If you spot a team that's been undervalued, you can lock in attractive prices before the market corrects.</p> <h2>How MLS Odds Work</h2> <p>Sportsbet displays decimal odds, which is standard for Australian punters. Quick refresher: multiply the odds by your stake to calculate your total return including the stake. A $10 bet at $2.50 odds returns $25 ($15 profit plus your $10 stake).</p> <p>Three-way markets can look different from what you're used to in other sports. Because draws are a realistic outcome, you'll often see prices like Home $2.10, Draw $3.40, Away $3.60. All three outcomes have genuine chances of landing.</p> <p>In tighter matches, prices compress. You might see Home $2.60, Draw $3.20, Away $2.80. There's no clear favourite and the draw is always lurking. This is where punters who understand the game can find edges that casual bettors miss.</p> <p>Draws in MLS typically price around $3.20 to $3.60. If you're consistently backing draws in the right spots, the strike rate doesn't need to be high for the market to be profitable. One in four isn't unrealistic, and at those odds, that's enough.</p> <h2>MLS Betting Tips: What Actually Moves the Needle</h2> <p>Understanding the markets is half the battle. Knowing what factors actually influence MLS results is where you find value.</p> <h3>Travel and Fixture Congestion</h3> <p>MLS travel schedules are brutal. Teams regularly fly coast-to-coast for matches, and unlike European leagues where the furthest trip might be a few hours, MLS teams can spend five or six hours in the air.</p> <p>Check the fixture list before betting. A team playing away after a midweek match, especially if they've travelled across the country, often looks flat. Back-to-back away games or quick turnarounds are red flags. The schedule is public, so there's no excuse for not factoring this in.</p> <h3>Home Advantage Is Significant</h3> <p>MLS home teams win around 45-50% of matches. That's higher than many European leagues, partly because of the travel factor mentioned above and partly because some MLS stadiums have genuinely intimidating atmospheres.</p> <p>Seattle, Atlanta, and Portland consistently make life difficult for visiting teams. The crowds are loud, the supporters are engaged, and away teams struggle. When backing an underdog on the road at one of these venues, think twice.</p> <h3>The Altitude Factor</h3> <p>Colorado Rapids play their home games at 1,600 metres elevation in Commerce City. Visiting teams that aren't accustomed to altitude genuinely struggle to breathe, especially in warmer months.</p> <p>Colorado's home record consistently outperforms their away form. It's not just the thin air, it's also the accumulated fatigue that hits visitors in the second half. If you're looking at a Colorado home game, respect the altitude advantage.</p> <h3>Turf vs Grass</h3> <p>Several MLS teams play on artificial turf rather than natural grass. Seattle, Atlanta, Portland, New England, and Vancouver all use synthetic surfaces.</p> <p>Turf changes how the ball moves. It's faster, bounces differently, and some players simply don't like playing on it. Teams used to grass can look sluggish and uncomfortable when visiting turf venues. It's a small edge, but edges add up.</p> <h3>The Designated Player Rule</h3> <p>MLS has a salary cap, but each team can sign up to three Designated Players whose wages don't count against it. These are the star names: Messi, Son, and the handful of other big earners.</p> <p>When a team's DP is injured, rested, or away on international duty, the drop-off in quality is significant. Check team news before betting. A team missing their main man is a very different proposition, and odds don't always adjust quickly enough when late news breaks.</p> <h3>Form Shifts Around the World Cup Break</h3> <p>The 2026 season has a six-week break for the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/world-cup/mens-world-cup/fifa-world-cup-2026-outrights-7009197">World Cup</a>. Teams will look different before and after. New signings arrive during the secondary transfer window in July and August. Players return from international duty at varying fitness levels. Injuries heal or new ones emerge.</p> <p>Don't assume first-half form carries through. Treat the post-break period almost like a fresh start and reassess each team based on their summer business and returning personnel.</p> <h2>When to Watch MLS in Australia</h2> <p>MLS kick-off times actually work reasonably well for Australian viewers. Weekend matches typically start between 7:30am and 1:30pm AEDT, depending on which coast the game is on. Saturday and Sunday morning football with a coffee isn't a bad way to spend a weekend.</p> <p>Midweek matches are trickier, usually kicking off around 9-11am AEDT. If you're working, you'll probably miss them live, but results come through during the Australian workday.</p> <p>Apple TV broadcasts every MLS match globally with no blackouts. If you want to watch live, that's your best option. Live betting is available through Sportsbet during matches, which opens up in-play opportunities if you're watching the action unfold.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <p><strong>How many teams are in the MLS?</strong></p> <p>30 teams split across Eastern and Western Conferences, with 15 in each.</p> <p><strong>When does the MLS season run?</strong></p> <p>The 2026 season runs from February 21 to early December. There's a six-week break from late May to mid-July for the FIFA World Cup.</p> <p><strong>Can I bet on MLS in Australia?</strong></p> <p>Yes. Sportsbet offers full MLS coverage including match markets, goalscorer markets, and season-long futures.</p> <p><strong>What's the most popular MLS betting market?</strong></p> <p>Match result (three-way) and over/under 2.5 goals are the two most commonly bet markets.</p> <p><strong>Do draws count in MLS betting?</strong></p> <p>Yes. In three-way markets, a draw is a losing result if you backed either team to win. Use Asian handicap or Draw No Bet markets if you want to remove the draw from the equation.</p> <p><strong>What happens if an MLS playoff match goes to extra time?</strong></p> <p>Three-way markets cover regulation time only (90 minutes plus stoppage time). If a match is level after regulation and goes to extra time or penalties, your three-way bet is settled as a draw.</p> <p><strong>What's the difference between the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield?</strong></p> <p>The Supporters' Shield goes to the team with the best regular season record. The MLS Cup is awarded to the team that wins the end-of-season playoffs. They're separate competitions and you can bet on both.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/premier-league-betting-guide">Everything you need to know before betting on the EPL</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/australia-world-cup-2026-draw-group-d-analysis">What Australia's World Cup draw means for the Socceroos</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-uefa-champions-league">How to bet on the Champions League like a pro</a></li> </ul>