By Michael Nsikan Richard – November 15th, 2025
Major Partnership Evolution
Apple and MLSsoccer.com have reported that Apple and Major League Soccer jointly announced that beginning in 2026, all MLS matches will be available to stream for Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost.
This represents a fundamental shift from the current model, where fans need a separate MLS Season Pass subscription to access games.
The standalone MLS Season Pass subscription on the Apple TV app will conclude at the end of the 2025 season.
This marks the end of the separate subscription model that has been in place since 2023, when the partnership originally launched.
Context of the New Arrangement
Apple media have revealed that starting next season, fans can watch every regular-season match, the annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, the Campeones Cup, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and more, all included with an Apple TV subscription.
The partnership maintains its commitment to delivering comprehensive coverage with studio shows and video-on-demand content available in more than one hundred countries and regions worldwide, with no blackouts for any matches.
This restructuring is a huge deal for both MLS and Apple, effectively eliminating the separate paywall that many felt was inhibiting fan growth.
The league is making a strategic bet on wider accessibility to grow its audience, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching.
Background on the Original Deal
CNBC reports that Apple and MLS had inked a 10-year media rights deal in 2022 that saw Apple become the exclusive global home to the U.S. professional soccer league. Rather than immediately featuring matches on the Apple TV streaming service, Apple initially launched Season Pass as an additional subscription specifically for MLS games.
The 2022 deal included two main financial elements: a guaranteed $250 million annual payment from Apple to MLS, plus the potential for MLS to earn a share of upside revenue if the MLS Season Pass subscription exceeded specific performance thresholds.
Strategic Purpose
CNBC reports that MLS Deputy Commissioner Gary Stevenson explained that conversations about moving the league to Apple TV started as Apple’s main streaming platform grew.
In 2025, more than 200 matches were simulcast on both MLS Season Pass and Apple TV, with “Sunday Night Soccer” matches on Apple TV seeing significantly more viewers than the average MLS match, which, according to the league, was a clear signal that Apple TV drives engagement.
The evolution further streamlines access to MLS for fans at a pivotal moment for soccer in North America, including as anticipation grows for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Financial Implications
Beginning with the 2026 season, tracking MLS-connected revenue becomes more complicated without a standalone service, though Apple’s guarantee could theoretically be altered to account for the change, or other measures like view time could be used to trigger additional payment.
However, the MLS deputy commissioner declined to comment on the specific financial agreements between the parties.
This represents a significant strategic pivot in how Apple and MLS are approaching soccer distribution in North America, removing barriers to access while leveraging Apple’s growing subscriber base to expand the league’s reach at a crucial time for soccer’s development in the region.
Image Credits: Instagram
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