Major League Soccer moves to Apple TV for all subscribers in 2026

Major League Soccer and Apple announced on November 13, 2025, that all MLS matches will become available to Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost beginning in 2026. The integration eliminates the standalone MLS Season Pass subscription model that concludes at the end of the 2025 season.

According to the announcement, Apple TV subscribers will receive access to every regular-season match, the annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, the Campeones Cup, and the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs without requiring separate payment. The arrangement represents a significant shift in sports streaming economics, bundling comprehensive league access within a broader entertainment subscription rather than offering soccer content as a standalone product.

The timing precedes the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which three North American nations will host. According to Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services, the integration positions MLS alongside the platform's other content offerings. "We're thrilled to bring MLS to more fans around the world next season on Apple TV," Cue stated in the announcement. "Every match, all in one place, alongside incredible Apple Originals — it's a win for fans everywhere."

Don Garber, Major League Soccer's commissioner, described the arrangement as an extension of the existing partnership. "Our partnership with Apple has always been about innovating for our fans," Garber stated. "Bringing every MLS match to Apple TV takes that vision to the next level by making it easier than ever for fans everywhere to watch, connect, and be part of the game."

The partnership builds on Apple's expanding sports portfolio, which already includes Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders and Formula 1 races in the United States. The company's October 2025 announcement of exclusive Formula 1 broadcast rights demonstrated Apple's continued investment in live sports content, with that five-year deal beginning in 2026 alongside the MLS integration.

Technical implementation will maintain MLS coverage in more than 100 countries and regions without blackout restrictions. The global distribution continues Apple's approach established during the initial MLS Season Pass launch in 2023, when the league partnered with Apple for comprehensive streaming rights reportedly valued at $2.5 billion over ten years.

Full-season ticket packages with MLS clubs will include Apple TV subscriptions for the 2026 season, according to the announcement. This bundling mechanism provides direct value to season ticket holders while potentially expanding Apple TV's subscriber base through MLS fan acquisition.

The 2025 season marked Major League Soccer's 30th year of operation. According to the Wikipedia entry on Major League Soccer, the league reported strong performance across viewership, attendance, and digital platforms. The 2024 season broke attendance records with an average of 23,240 per match and over 11 million total spectators, with the presence of players including Lionel Messi and Son Heung-Min contributing to increased interest.

Apple TV launched in 2019 and has accumulated 640 wins and 2,872 award nominations for its original programming, according to the announcement. The platform offers subscribers access to dramas, science fiction, comedies, documentaries, and children's entertainment alongside sports content.

The current MLS Season Pass model launched in 2023 as part of Apple's broader streaming strategy. Comcast integrated MLS Season Pass into its Xfinity platform in January 2025, demonstrating distribution partnerships beyond Apple's direct subscriber base. That integration provided Xfinity customers access through their channel guide rather than requiring application switching.

Streaming sports rights have become increasingly competitive among technology companies. The consolidation of sports content within major streaming platforms reflects broader industry trends, with exclusive rights commanding significant financial commitments from distributors seeking to differentiate their offerings and retain subscribers.

Apple TV's approach differs from advertising-supported streaming models. The platform operates entirely on subscription revenue, which increased to $12.99 monthly in August 2025 from the previous $9.99 rate. This 30 percent price increase preceded the announcement of expanded sports content availability.

Major League Soccer operates 30 teams across the United States and Canada. The league follows a spring-to-fall schedule with teams playing 34 regular-season matches. However, MLS announced on November 13, 2025, that it will transition to a summer-to-spring schedule beginning in 2027, aligning more closely with European league calendars and creating what the league described as improved competitiveness and transfer opportunities.

The schedule transition will begin with an abbreviated 2027 season in early 2027, followed by the 2027-28 season starting in July. The new calendar will include a winter break from mid-December to early or mid-February, with the MLS Cup playoffs occurring in May rather than competing with North American football and baseball playoffs in autumn.

MLS also announced structural changes accompanying the calendar shift. The league will replace its conference-based format with a single table divided into five regional divisions. Teams will play home and away matches against divisional opponents and one match against teams in other divisions.

The Apple TV integration arrives as streaming platforms increasingly acquire exclusive sports rights. FuboTV, YouTube TV, and other services have expanded sports offerings to attract subscribers, particularly targeting viewers who have discontinued traditional cable subscriptions.

Apple's Android application launch in February 2025 expanded potential viewership beyond Apple device users. That cross-platform availability increases the addressable audience for MLS content distributed through Apple TV, though subscription requirements remain unchanged regardless of device ecosystem.

The financial structure of the Apple-MLS partnership remains significant for both organizations. When announced in 2022, industry reports estimated the ten-year agreement's value at $2.5 billion, representing a substantial increase from MLS's previous broadcast arrangements. The transition from standalone Season Pass to bundled Apple TV access maintains that financial commitment while potentially expanding viewership through reduced friction in content access.

Timeline

• 2019: Apple TV streaming service launches in November with original programming
• 2022: MLS and Apple announce ten-year streaming partnership valued at $2.5 billion
• 2023: MLS Season Pass launches on Apple TV with standalone subscription model
• January 29, 2025: Comcast integrates MLS Season Pass into Xfinity platform
• February 12, 2025: Apple TV app becomes available on Android devices
• October 17, 2025: Apple announces exclusive Formula 1 broadcast rights in United States starting 2026
• November 13, 2025: Apple and MLS announce integration of all matches into Apple TV subscriptions starting 2026
• November 13, 2025: MLS announces transition to summer-to-spring calendar beginning 2027
• End of 2025 season: Standalone MLS Season Pass subscription concludes
• 2026: All MLS matches become available to Apple TV subscribers without additional cost
• 2026: Apple's exclusive Formula 1 broadcast rights begin
• 2027: MLS transitions to new summer-to-spring calendar format

Summary

Who: Major League Soccer, Apple, Apple TV subscribers, MLS club season ticket holders, Eddy Cue (Apple's senior vice president of Services), Don Garber (Major League Soccer commissioner)

What: Major League Soccer matches will become available to all Apple TV subscribers without additional fees starting in 2026, replacing the standalone MLS Season Pass subscription model. The integration includes every regular-season match, Leagues Cup tournament, MLS All-Star Game, Campeones Cup, and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Apple TV subscriptions will be included with 2026 full-season ticket packages from MLS clubs.

When: Announced November 13, 2025. Implementation begins in 2026 with the start of Major League Soccer's season. The standalone MLS Season Pass subscription concludes at the end of the 2025 season.

Where: Content will be available in more than 100 countries and regions through Apple TV without blackout restrictions. The announcement affects all 30 Major League Soccer teams operating across the United States and Canada.

Why: The integration builds on the existing partnership between Apple and MLS established in 2022, streamlining access for fans and positioning MLS content alongside Apple TV's entertainment offerings. The timing precedes the 2026 FIFA World Cup and aligns with MLS's planned transition to a summer-to-spring calendar in 2027, creating what both organizations describe as improved accessibility and viewing experiences.