Apple TV release MLS Season Pass worldwide and announce free opening weekend

01 February 2023 , 12:00

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The MLS Season Pass is now available to purchase (Image: Getty Images)

The MLS Season Pass is officially available across the globe on the Apple TV app, giving viewers complete coverage to all league content.

Apple have secured the MLS rights for the next 10 years, and all within the Season Pass fans will be able to watch every single live league and cup game, while being able to watch hundreds of MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT games. Fans will also have access to full replays of classic games, player documentaries and also receive live goal updates and highlights to their phone if they are on the move.

To celebrate the launch of the Season Pass, the first weekend of MLS action will be completely free to watch via the app before a subscription payment will be required for the remainder of the campaign. All games will be streamed with no blackouts — a first in live sports broadcasting.

The MLS season gets underway on February 25, with reigning champions Los Angeles FC facing off against Los Angeles Galaxy in another exciting instalment of 'El Trafico'. But the app goes live on February 1, allowing users to get familiar with the app and also relive moments from seasons gone by.

MLS continues to be the fastest growing soccer league in the world, and there's hope that more momentum can be built ahead of the World Cup in 2026. The United States are co-hosting the World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, and will also hold the 2024 Copa America.

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Kellun Acosta thinks the new TV deal is "huge" for MLS

"Having accessibility is huge for the sport. It’s going to help grow MLS not only domestically, but internationally. You’ll have eyes all over watching our games," said Kellyn Acosta, Los Angeles FC midfielder. "We talk about how we want the league to continue to grow and bridge the gap in comparison with other leagues, and I think having this Apple partnership is a step in the right direction.

"Leading into the World Cup in 2026, you want to build momentum and gain more exposure, and I think this partnership is going to truly be beautiful. I know my family is excited to have all the games in one place, and I think it’s going to be huge for the league and for the sport in the US."

But how much will it cost to subscribe? Rates vary across different countries, but users in the United Kingdom can subscribe to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app for £14.99 per month during the season or £99 per season. Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up at a special price of £12.99 per month or £79 per season.

All the best MLS players will be available to watch on Apple TV

For those in the United States and Canada, there is an extra incentive to attend live games on a regular basis. Apple are rewarding fans for holding a full-season ticket to an MLS side with a free yearly subscription to the service.

A subscription to MLS Season Pass will be included with each full-season ticket account, and through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share the subscription using their own Apple ID and password. "It never really crossed my mind that a partnership like this would really alleviate a lot of those stresses for so many of our fans, our families, our friends, and for the players too, because we watch MLS all the time," said Mark-Anthony Kaye, Toronto FC midfielder.

"So it’s a good feeling to know that the league understands these issues and has done a really good job to put a deal together that can put us in a better position to bring MLS to the world. I’ve only been in the league for six years, but the amount of growth is mind-blowing. So I think this is only scratching the surface with this Apple deal, and I’m really happy that they’ve done it."

Joseph McBride