MLS on Apple TV is back today, July 16, 2026, as the league restarts its regular season after a monthlong break for the FIFA World Cup. All 30 clubs return, headlined by a stacked weekend of rivalry games and a wave of new global stars. If you are just tuning back in, though, there is one big change to know first. The separate MLS Season Pass no longer exists, and a standard Apple TV subscription now covers every match. Here is how to watch, what it costs, and which games to catch this weekend.
| The Short Answer MLS returns to Apple TV on July 16, 2026, after a monthlong FIFA World Cup break, with all 30 clubs back in action. The big change for 2026 is that the standalone MLS Season Pass no longer exists. Every MLS match now comes with a regular Apple TV subscription, which costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year in the US, with a 7-day free trial. You get every regular-season match with no blackouts in over 100 countries, plus Leagues Cup, the MLS All-Star Game, Campeones Cup, and the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. This weekend’s highlights include El Tráfico, the LA Galaxy against LAFC, and the Cascadia Cup, Seattle against Portland. |
MLS Is Back on Apple TV Today
The wait is over. As Apple confirmed, MLS resumes regular-season play on July 16 after pausing for a month during the FIFA World Cup. All 30 clubs are back in action. Six marquee matchups fill July 16 and 17, kicking off the second half of the season.
It is a big restart, too. A record 45 MLS players featured at the 2026 World Cup, representing 22 clubs and 17 countries. Many are returning to their teams this week, just as the league gets going again.
The Big Change: No More MLS Season Pass
This is the single most important thing to understand about MLS on Apple TV in 2026. The standalone MLS Season Pass, the separate subscription fans used from 2023 through 2025, no longer exists.
Per Apple Support, starting with the 2026 season every MLS match and all exclusive programming is part of Apple TV, viewable with a standard Apple TV subscription at no extra cost. In other words, one subscription now covers MLS plus all of Apple’s shows and movies. As the official MLS how-to-watch page lists, that subscription is $12.99 per month or $99 per year in the US, after a 7-day free trial.
| Good to Know If you paid for MLS Season Pass in 2025, you do not need to buy it again. Apple automatically moved eligible monthly and seasonal Season Pass subscribers to an Apple TV subscription in early 2026, at the same price or less. The annual price of $99 matches the old Season Pass, and the monthly price is actually $2 lower than it used to be. |
What You Get with MLS on Apple TV
One subscription covers every competitive match and the surrounding coverage, with no per-team paywalls and no out-of-market fees. Here is the full picture.
| What You Get | Details |
| Every regular-season match | All 30 clubs, with no blackouts in over 100 countries |
| Leagues Cup | The annual tournament between MLS and Liga MX clubs |
| MLS All-Star Game | The league’s yearly showcase event |
| Campeones Cup | The Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup |
| Audi MLS Cup Playoffs | The full postseason run to the MLS Cup final |
| Apple TV extras | Apple Originals, Friday Night Baseball, and F1 for US viewers |
It is also worth knowing the limits. The subscription leaves out the US Open Cup, US national team matches, and non-MLS soccer such as the Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga.
The Matchups to Watch This Weekend
Six marquee games open the restart. These four carry the biggest storylines for the July 16 and 17 slate.
| Matchup | The Storyline |
| LA Galaxy vs LAFC | El Tráfico, the fiercely contested Los Angeles derby |
| Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers | The Cascadia Cup, one of the league’s most storied rivalries |
| Nashville SC vs Atlanta United FC | A Southern showdown between regional rivals |
| Chicago Fire vs Vancouver Whitecaps | Lewandowski against Müller, a Bayern reunion at Soldier Field |
New Stars and World Cup Heroes
The summer transfer window brought a wave of world-class talent to MLS. The timing could not be better as the season restarts.
Polish icon Robert Lewandowski has signed with the Chicago Fire. On July 16 he faces his longtime FC Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Müller, now with the Vancouver Whitecaps, when Chicago hosts Vancouver at Soldier Field. French star and 2018 World Cup champion Antoine Griezmann has joined Orlando City after 10 seasons at Atlético Madrid. Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn has moved to the San Jose Earthquakes.
They join the biggest name of all. Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer at the 2026 tournament, adding eight goals for Argentina. Now he returns to lead Miami through the rest of the MLS season.
How to Watch MLS on Apple TV
The setup is simple, and you likely already own a device that works. The Apple TV app runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K, and Vision Pro. It is also on smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, and TCL. Beyond that, it works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and PlayStation and Xbox consoles. On Android, you watch on the web at tv.apple.com.
What you need to do depends on your situation. Find yours below.
- Already subscribe to Apple TV or Apple One: you are ready. MLS matches simply appear in the Apple TV app, with nothing extra to buy.
- Paid for MLS Season Pass in 2025: Apple converted eligible subscriptions automatically to Apple TV in early 2026, at the same price or less. Check Settings, then your Apple Account, then Subscriptions.
- Have MLS season tickets: many clubs include a free year of Apple TV with 2026 full-season ticket accounts, redeemed through your club.
- New to it: subscribe to Apple TV for $12.99 per month with a 7-day free trial. If you recently bought a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, or Mac, you can claim three months free.
More for Apple Fans: Sports, Fitness+, Music, and Maps
The match is only part of it. Apple has wired MLS across its ecosystem, which is where the experience gets fun for Apple fans.
| Apple App | What It Adds for MLS |
| Apple Sports | Free iPhone app with live scores, stats, standings, and lineups, plus a tap to watch |
| Apple Fitness+ | A new Time to Walk episode featuring Vancouver Whitecaps star Thomas Müller |
| Apple Music | Sounds of MLS playlists, including club and player picks like a warm-up set from Diego Luna |
| Apple Maps | Matchday Guides from clubs and players with stadium info and local spots |
| EA SPORTS FC | A live simulcast in FC Mobile, plus a one-month free Apple TV trial for eligible players |
MLS on Apple TV in 2026 is simpler and cheaper to follow than it has ever been. The confusing separate Season Pass is gone. Every match now comes with a single Apple TV subscription, and the season restarts today with rivalry games and a roster of new global stars. For anyone who bounced off MLS during the subscription shuffle of past years, this is the cleanest time to jump in.
Start with El Tráfico or the Cascadia Cup this weekend. And if you are weighing up your streaming lineup, our guide to the best Netflix alternatives puts Apple TV in context alongside the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MLS on Apple TV free?
Not on its own, but it comes with a paid Apple TV subscription rather than as a separate purchase. You need an Apple TV subscription, which is $12.99 per month or $99 per year in the US, with a 7-day free trial. There are also free routes. Many MLS season ticket holders get a year of Apple TV, and buyers of a new Apple device get three months free.
Do I still need MLS Season Pass in 2026?
No. Apple discontinued MLS Season Pass after the 2025 season. Starting in 2026, a standard Apple TV subscription includes every MLS match at no extra cost, so there is no separate pass to buy. Apple moved eligible former Season Pass subscribers to Apple TV automatically in early 2026.
How much does MLS on Apple TV cost?
An Apple TV subscription costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year in the US, after a 7-day free trial. That includes all MLS matches. The annual price matches the old MLS Season Pass, and the monthly price is $2 lower than the standalone pass used to be.
When does MLS return to Apple TV?
MLS returned on July 16, 2026, restarting the regular season after a monthlong break for the FIFA World Cup. All 30 clubs are back, with six marquee matchups across July 16 and 17.
Can I watch MLS on Apple TV without an Apple device?
Yes. The app is on most smart TVs, plus Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and PlayStation and Xbox. On Android phones, you watch on the web at tv.apple.com. You only need an Apple Account and an Apple TV subscription.
Are there blackouts for MLS on Apple TV?
No. A main benefit of the Apple deal is that every MLS match streams with no local blackouts in over 100 countries. You can watch any club, anywhere in a supported region, with no out-of-market restrictions or extra fee.
