MLS Clubs Unleash Massive Spending Spree in 2026 Winter Transfer Window
The MLS transfer market has been extremely active as the 2026 campaign draws near, with club owners throughout the league making substantial investments in hopes of generating significant fan excitement ahead of the anticipated soccer surge in America, following the 2026 World Cup.
MLS expenditure has reached record-breaking heights over the last 18 months. The incoming transfer benchmark has been surpassed three times and is presently held by a summer 2025 transaction that saw LAFC pay Tottenham Hotspur over $26 million for Son Heung-min.
With players like Germán Berterame and others joining MLS this offseason, the pursuit of star talent continues unabated. Simultaneously, with limitations removed on the quantity of intra-league cash-for-player transactions, moves within MLS have become increasingly frequent as well.
But which franchise invested the most? What were the complete expenditures for every MLS team this summer?
MLS Transfers: Which Club Has Spent the Most in Winter 2026?
MLS Transfers: Which Club Has Spent the Most in Winter 2026?
Rank | Team | Total Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
1. | Inter Miami | $47.45 million |
2. | Houston Dynamo | $14.98 million |
3. | DC United | $14.98 million |
4. | Austin FC | $14.01 million |
5. | Orlando City | $11.66 million |
6. | Philadelphia Union | $10.95 million |
7. | Real Salt Lake | $10.81 million |
8. | Chicago Fire | $9.75 million |
9. | Atlanta United | $9.27 million |
10. | Red Bull New York | $8.66 million |
11. | Colorado Rapids | $7.5 million |
12. | LAFC | $6.78 million |
13. | FC Cincinnati | $6.27 million |
14. | Portland Timbers | $5.38 million |
15. | Charlotte FC | $5.2 million |
16 | Columbus Crew | $5 million |
17. | FC Dallas | $4.94 million |
18. | San Diego FC | $4.2 million |
19. | LA Galaxy | $4 million |
20. | St. Louis CITY SC | $3.81 million |
21. | Vancouver Whitecaps | $2.86 million |
22. | New England Revolution | $2.59 million |
23. | Nashville SC | $2.36 million |
24. | Minnesota United | $2.34 million |
25. | Toronto FC | $2.25 million |
26. | CF Montréal | $1.99 million |
27. | New York City FC | $1.13 million |
28. | Sporting Kansas City | $58,660 |
29. | San Jose Earthquakes | $0 |
30. | Seattle Sounders | $0 |
*Transfer amounts per Transfermakrt. | Values have been converted by the rate at the time of publication | Last updated Feb. 17.
Inter Miami leads the 2025-26 winter transfer period with two major acquisitions, first completing the official signing of Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid for a reported sum of $17 million, before acquiring Germán Berterame from Rayados de Monterrey in Liga MX for a reported $15 million transfer fee.
Austin FC demonstrated their ambitions as well, investing over $9.5 million for Facundo Torres, bringing Orlando City's all-time MLS scoring champion back to the league, this time in the Texas capital.
Meanwhile, the Houston Dynamo are seeking to return to the MLS Cup playoffs and have adopted an aggressive strategy in the transfer market, spending reportedly up to $10 million on Mateusz Bogusz from Cruz Azul in January.
Among MLS cash-for-player transactions, D.C. United leads the way, having paid $4 million to the Philadelphia Union for Israel international Tai Baribo, with the possibility for that amount to increase to $4.6 million.
When Does the MLS Winter Transfer Window Close?
When Does the MLS Winter Transfer Window Close?
The 2026 winter transfer period is scheduled to conclude March 26, more than a month into the MLS regular season, which begins on Feb. 21. Operating under an extended window for the first time, MLS clubs were able to officially register players starting from its opening on Jan. 26, however, many transactions were announced before the official registration date.
The 2026 summer window will run from July 13 to Sept. 2, before MLS shifts to a winter-based schedule for the 2027 and 2027-28 seasons.