MLS 2026 Season Begins February 21 on Apple TV With Free Access for Subscribers - MacRumors
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MLS 2026 Season Begins February 21 on Apple TV With Free Access for Subscribers

The 31st Major League Soccer season is set to begin on Saturday, February 21, with games set to be available through the Apple TV subscription service. ‌Apple TV‌ subscribers in more than 100 countries can access MLS matches with no blackouts and no additional fees.

apple mls season begins 2026
Apple used to charge $14.99 per month or $99 for the MLS Season Pass, but the Season Pass was removed for the 2026 season to give all ‌Apple TV‌ subscribers access for free. MLS is aiming to expand its fanbase and make content easier to access through its partnership with Apple.

Apple says that MLS on ‌Apple TV‌ will include Walmart Saturday Showdown, which spotlights a featured matchup during the Saturday slate of matches throughout the regular season. It will include enhanced production that's designed to "help viewers feel more connected to the match," with Shot on iPhone moments captured with dynamic angles. This week's Saturday Showdown will feature LAFC vs Miami at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The game is set to begin at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

All 30 MLS teams will take the pitch on February 21 and February 22 for MLS is Back Weekend. 13 of 15 season openers are scheduled for Saturday, with two games on Sunday. The season will begin with St. Louis facing off against Charlotte at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. A full schedule can be found on the MLS website.

Soccer fans can keep up to date with scores, stats, and standings throughout the MLS season with the Apple Sports app. The app offers Live Activities for all MLS matches, with live scores and play-by-play information. Apple will also have special curated playlists on Apple Music, dedicated Matchday Guides in Apple Maps, an MLS hub in the Apple Podcasts app, and MLS info in Apple News.

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Top Rated Comments

15 weeks ago
Apple TV is becoming an incredible deal. With student plan, I'm paying 6.99$ a month for Apple Music, which includes Apple TV. With Apple TV you get access to all MLS games and F1 races without any additional cost. The best thing is you get full access for the entire season, unlike some other sports which gives you access to some games and others are streaming on alternative streaming services.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lazyrighteye Avatar
15 weeks ago
I'm sure once they expand reach, they'll return to some flavor of season pass. Until then, pretty pumped to have access to MLS games now. I guess I always had access, but wasn't ever going to shell out an additional $99. I love soccer, but [apparently] not that much. 😜
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 weeks ago

In fact, I'm sill waiting for an Apple TV update with the option to remove MLS and sports from the app sidebar!
I'm waiting for a MR update to remove your whiny comment.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 weeks ago
Spatial football for the AVP pleeeeeeeeaaassseeeee ⚽️
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 weeks ago

🥱
Too good to miss ??? But I do... I do want to miss it !
In fact, I'm sill waiting for an Apple TV update with the option to remove MLS and sports from the app sidebar!
why even bother commenting?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 weeks ago

The MLS channel is actually very useful.

If you are insomniac and fail to fall asleep with an episode of Severance or a gram of melatonin, you can watch an USian soccer game.

It's failsafe.
I hear it's more exciting if you turn it to the Spanish language version.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)