How popular is the MLS and it’s teams in 2025?

Which MLS teams drive the most amount of online interest around the world?

According to our latest data in 2025, Inter Miami CF are the most searched team in the MLS by a considerable distance recording 9.1 million searches per month. This accounts for c.61% share of the total searches for MLS teams globally. The soccer league also enjoys a higher share of international fan engagement than other US sports franchises such as the NFL, MLB, NHL and to a lesser extent the NBA.

How much interest is there in MLS clubs overseas?

The majority of web searches for MLS clubs come from countries outside of the US. Both Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC record just 10% of their team searches as coming from the USA, and 90% from the rest of the world.

St.Louis SC are at the opposite end of the scale, receiving over 80% of their online interest from the US.

This is detailed in the graph below.

Where does the international interest in the MLS come from?

North America supplies roughly 45% of all MLS web traffic, with the United States contributiong 25% of this. Along with North American countries, Indonesia (11.3% of all MLS traffic) is one of the key contributors. India is also significant in its online participation, providing approximately 9.2% of all MLS brand traffic.

South American countries including Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Argentina all contribute over 2% of total online MLS interest while the UK is next, registering 1.5% of this traffic – the largest share of any European country.

So how does the MLS build and coordinate depth in competition?

There are a fe scenarios for the MLS nad it’s teams to ponder.

One is simply embracing the INCREASED competiton Miami CF have brough to the MLS. other clubs may look to follow suit, invest, and look to compete – driving the whole league forward.

Another, perhaps more sustainable route, is to increase the amount of top class US soccer prospects thorugh the countries youth systems. This will not only require investment in coaching and infrastructure, but also a cultural shift in yound athletes choosing soccer over traditional US sports such as american football, basketball and baseball. These dynmics are already shifting with soccer grabbing an increased share of interest and particilation across the US generally.

this is particularly key in America as it will enable the draft or ‘super draft’ system to become a key engine of the league – not only making is sustaible in terms of talent, but offereng something unique to other soccer leagues across the world.

Should the MLS target expansion and combine with Liga MX?

This is somewhat of an leftfield option, but it comes with some major benefits. Firstly, Liga MX is hugely popular inside Mexico and would add a huge amount of interest across the border.

This would also appeal to the large mexican and hispanic fan base living in the US.

Finally, this would potentially improve the competitive depth of the league, making it more attractive both at home and abroad.

Does Miami CF enjoy any longer term advantages over other US soccer teams? Will they inspire future MLS teams?

In short, yes. The geography of US sports franchises plays a key role in terms of international fan engagement and Miami has cut a niche for itslef in this regard with other sports such as F1 basing a hugely successful event there.

New York, Philadelphia and and Los Angeles seem like obvious places where clubs can be developed in the way Miami has and some of them, while small compared to Miami right now, enjoy a healthy following.

If you’d like to get in touch with us to see how we can help with different fan engagement scenarios, please send an email to stefan@hypersetgroup.com