Apple has announced that it will be offering streams of all Major League Soccer matches globally through its TV app for the next ten years, starting in 2023.
- Apple is boosting sports content served via its TV app with the announcement that it’ll begin streaming every single Major League Soccer (MLS) match in 2023.
- These streams will be provided for the next ten years, without any local blackouts or restrictions, as part of the agreement between Apple and MLS.
- Apple will unveil further details for the new service, including subscription pricing, in the coming months. MLS matches will require an additional subscription as this content is not included in the standard $5/month Apple TV+ subscription.
The MLS streaming service is exclusive to Apple’s TV app
The TV app will exclusively offer MLS matches via a new MLS streaming service that will require a separate subscription. In other words, MLS won’t be included in your standard $5/month Apple TV+ subscription. Read: Where is that on Apple TV?
At launch, all MLS and Leagues Cup matches will include announcers calling the action in English and Spanish, and all matches involving Canadian teams will be available in French. Apple and MLS will also provide enhanced league and club coverage for fans to easily follow the league or their favorite clubs in Apple News, with the ability to watch highlights right in the News app.
The partnership will let fans enjoy all MLS, Leagues Cup and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches in one place, without any local broadcast blackouts or the need for a traditional pay-TV bundle.
The MLS streaming service: Supported device
You’ll be able to enjoy this content on any device with Apple’s TV app: From your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV 4K to smart TVs from the likes of Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sony, TCL, Vizio, and others, including Amazon’s Fire TV stick and Roku devices. Additionally, the TV app is available on Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox gaming consoles, as well as for the Chromecast with Google TV, Comcast Xfinity streaming boxes and on the web at tv.apple.com. But that doesn’t mean that Apple TV+ subscribers won’t be able to enjoy at least some MLS content without having to subscribe to a whole new service.
Apple TV’s new MLS service: The fine print
For starters, a limited number of matches will be available free of charge. Also, AppleTV+ subscribers will be treated to “a broad selection of MLS and Leagues Cup matches, including some of the biggest matchups,” according to Apple. Subscribing to the new MLS streaming service will buy you access to a mix of live and on-demand content that includes not only every live MLS match but also a weekly live match show, game replays, highlights, analysis and other original programming.
Apple will announce further details in the coming months, including how much the MLS subscription will cost, when you’ll be able to sign up, and specific details about the new MLS programming, an improved match schedule, broadcast teams, production enhancements and pre and postgame coverage. Access to this new streaming service will be included as part of MLS full-season ticket packages.
Apple TV+ is doubling down on sports content
This deal will strengthen sports content offered in cooperation with Apple’s partners. A similar deal has led Apple to offer live broadcasts of select Major League Baseball games as of April 2022. The TV app now hosts “Friday Night Baseball” on a weekly basis. Read: How to live stream to YouTube from iPhone, iPad and Mac