2026 MLS schedule released: 5 Dynamo games to circle on your calendar
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo will be eager to get back on the field after a disappointing 2025 season. We now know what the 2026 season will look like as Major League Soccer released the full regular season schedule today. The Dynamo will open the year on February 21 at Shell Energy Stadium against Chicago Fire.
The full 2026 schedule for the Dynamo is below:
The league is entering the fourth year of their deal with Apple TV with games, for the most part, on set dates and times, as you can see by looking at the full schedule. Beginning with the 2026 season, MLS games will air on the standard Apple TV service and not on a standalone subscription like in the past with MLS Season Pass.
The Texas Derby games are always games to look forward to. Since there are a number of them now, I’m not including them in my five games below but here are the derby games in 2026:
Saturday, March 21 at FC Dallas
Saturday, April 25 at Austin FC
Saturday, July 25 vs Austin FC
Saturday, October 17 at FC Dallas
With the full schedule now out, what are 5 games to look forward to in 2026? Let’s take a look.
Saturday, February 28 vs LAFC
The Dynamo’s second home game last season was a visit from star-studded Inter Miami. 2026 is following the same script as LAFC and star Heung-Min Son will make his first visit to Houston. The Dynamo and LAFC have had some great matches over the last few years and this could be a big moment for Houston, with two home matches to open the season, to show what they are made of.
Saturday, May 16 vs Vancouver Whitecaps
The Whitecaps will bring their own star, in German legend Thomas Muller, to Shell Energy Stadium. The Dynamo played Vancouver away from home in 2025 in what was Muller’s debut. Now the Caps come to Houston after a very successful campaign.
Saturday, September 5 at Charlotte FC
Houston makes their first visit to Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium for a clash with Wilfried Zaha and CFC. Charlotte notably knocked the Dynamo out of Leagues Cup a couple of years back. These two teams don’t get to play often and the chance to play in a big NFL stadium should have Houston amped and ready to go for this cross-conference match up.
Wednesday, October 28 at Seattle Sounders and Sunday, November 1 at Portland Timbers
I’m cheating a little on this one with two matches but hear me out. It’s two matches in the Pacific Northwest, just 5 days apart. If you are ever going to do an away day for a Dynamo match, this one sets up perfectly. Having been to a Dynamo match in Seattle before, it’s an experience you need to check out. Start looking at flights and putting in your days off from work.
Saturday, November 7 vs St. Louis CITY SC
Decision Day 2026 sees the Dynamo back at home to host St. Louis. Will the Dynamo be back in the playoffs by now? Will they be fighting to make it? Or will it be another disappointing season finale with the campaign already over? A Decision Day at home will be fun.
Which games are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments.
