MLS salary budget increased to almost $5.5 million

Atlanta United forward Saba Lobjanidze #9 scores a goal during the match against D.C. United at Audi Field in Washington,  on Wednesday September 20, 2023. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta United)

Credit: Mitch Martin/Atlanta United

Credit: Mitch Martin/Atlanta United

Atlanta United forward Saba Lobjanidze #9 scores a goal during the match against D.C. United at Audi Field in Washington, on Wednesday September 20, 2023. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta United)

MLS released its 2024 competition guidelines Tuesday, a day before its season opens with Miami hosting Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. Atlanta United will open Saturday at Columbus.

There are a few updates from last season:

Each team’s salary budget has increased, to $5,470,000 from $5,210,000.

The maximum salary budget charge for a single player increased to $683,750 from $651,250.

The senior minimum increased to $89,716 from $85,444.

The reserve minimum increased to $71,401 from $67,360.

The primary transfer window will close April 23.

The secondary transfer window is scheduled from July 18-Aug. 14.

If a player is transferred, a club may apply as much as $1,215,506 to its pool of general allocation money, an increase from $1,157,625.

Allocation money provided to the club has increased to $2,585,000 from $1,900,000.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

Feb. 24 at Columbus, 2 p.m.

March 9 vs. New England, 7:30 p.m.

March 17 vs. Orlando, 7 p.m., FS1

March 23 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

March 31 vs. Chicago, 3:30 p.m., FOX

April 6 at NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Philadelphia, 2:30 p.m., FOX

April 20 vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

April 27 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

May 4 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

May 11 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

May 15 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

May 18 at Nashville, 1:30 p.m.

May 25 vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m.

May 29 at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

June 2 vs Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., FOX

June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.

June 19 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

June 22 at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.

June 29 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 13 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.