Apple Opens MLS Playoff Matches to All Apple TV Subscribers

[MacRumors]

All MLS playoff matches will stream at no additional charge for Apple TV subscribers, without requiring the separate MLS Season Pass add-on (via Sports Business Journal).

Apple and MLS are likely using the expanded access window to convert casual viewers into paying Season Pass customers for the 2026 regular season. Apple adjusted Season Pass pricing in September; for Apple TV subscribers, the price for a full season was cut from $79 to $25 and for non-subscribers, from $99 to $29. During the regular season and the Leagues Cup, only a subset of matches were made available to non-Season Pass viewers.

The announcement arrives days after Apple secured rights to stream Formula 1 in the United States beginning in 2026. Under that deal, Apple TV subscribers will receive F1 TV Premium content at no additional charge. F1 TV Premium has typically cost U.S. subscribers about $16.99 per month. Since 2023, U.S. viewers have been required to pay an additional fee for MLS Season Pass even if they already subscribe to Apple TV.

Article Link: Apple Opens MLS Playoff Matches to All Apple TV Subscribers

 

[Apple-achian]

3rd petition for Apple to set up systems to actively seek out and destroy unauthorized streams.

 

[Bigbuddy1]

The mls has a problem that most individuals that watch football don’t want to actually pay for the mls when better leagues & teams have a competing product that is why you’re starting to see things like this happen & I would be very surprised if this contract with apple last the full 10 years in it’s current guise

 

[Bigbuddy1]

3rd petition for Apple to set up systems to actively seek out and destroy unauthorized streams.

It’s already happening as certain WiFi providers are able to block access already

 

[Apple-achian]

It’s already happening as certain WiFi providers are able to block access already

Not enough. Countless third-world based sites circumvent this. Its time for ML driven clampdowns on unauthorized streaming.

 

[Corefile]

Does Apple have a buyout clause to get out of this MLS contract? You can't manufacture a soccer tournament along the lines of American sports. It is just a joke in the present format.

 

[Zanton68]

Is there any way to block or remove MLS from Apple TV ?

 

[bigchrisfgb]

Does Apple have a buyout clause to get out of this MLS contract? You can't manufacture a soccer tournament along the lines of American sports. It is just a joke in the present format.

In all fairness, Apple created the present format. They both extended how many team entered the play offs, and Nadine’s the more custom 2 round robin format that is often seen in traditional soccer/football knock out rounds.

The rest of the footballing world could have accepted the play offs in the MOS as they originally stood, but not with the new system, it just goes against every format of soccer/football used.

Additionally, I’d argue that everyone who was ever going to pay for the MLS on Apple TV, already bought their subscription for this season.

 

[OverTheHill]

I’d like the ability to sort and categorize my sports rather than thumb through all of the soccer broadcasts that I never watch to get to Football and Baseball. It’s ridiculous how many matches you have to scroll past to get to what you want.

 

[spyguy10709]

3rd petition for Apple to set up systems to actively seek out and destroy unauthorized streams.

why does this matter to you, at all?

 

[JCCL]

why does this matter to you, at all?

Exactly what I was thinking, such a weird petition from end user. Just pay for your content and be done. I doubt a lot of people is pirating MLS anyways, of all things!

 

[cocky jeremy]

Because Americans won't pay to watch a boring ass sport where games constantly end 2-1.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Because Americans won't pay to watch a boring ass sport where games constantly end 2-1.

Yeah unfortunately the biggest sport in the world doesn't have hamburger breaks either.

 

[Innovati0n]

3rd petition for Apple to set up systems to actively seek out and destroy unauthorized streams.

Unless Apple is cutting you in on their revenue, I can't see why you care at all.

 

[iMac The Knife]

I get this for free as a season ticket holder to our local club, but this is a nice gesture so all can watch for free.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Exactly what I was thinking, such a weird petition from end user. Just pay for your content and be done. I doubt a lot of people is pirating MLS anyways, of all things!

Extremely odd, and it's happening in every thread where any form of sports content streaming pops up.
It's raises an eyebrow for sure.

 

[Edd70]

Never heard of MLS until this thread.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

why does this matter to you, at all?

Their whole post history is just making comments about this sort of thing. I don’t get it either.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

Because Americans won't pay to watch a boring ass sport where games constantly end 2-1.

Last weekend I went to an NFL match in the U.K. and it has to have been the shittest sports match ever. The quality was so bad.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Last weekend I went to an NFL match in the U.K. and it has to have been the shittest sports match ever. The quality was so bad.

A key to the NFL experience is being massively drunk.

I aged out of going to them in person (and they are an overpriced ripoff ticket).

 

[bigchrisfgb]

A key to the NFL experience is being massively drunk.

I aged out of going to them in person (and they are an overpriced ripoff ticket).

Haha, absolutely was not happening at those prices.

 

[Innovati0n]

Never heard of MLS until this thread.

There it is again, the "I don't like this thing/person so I'll say I never heard of it/them"

I really don't get this trend.

 

[Innovati0n]

Because Americans won't pay to watch a boring ass sport where games constantly end 2-1.

Whoa high scoring!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Last weekend I went to an NFL match in the U.K. and it has to have been the shittest sports match ever. The quality was so bad.

I saw they were showing NFL on UK TV recently, probably showed the match you went to. I see it as rugby for wimps, centred around 3 hours of ad breaks, with a strategy and game play for the easily bored...

 

[turbineseaplane]

I saw they were showing NFL on UK TV recently, probably showed the match you went to. I see it as rugby for wimps, centred around 3 hours of ad breaks, with a strategy and game play for the easily bored...

The other thing about the NFL now is that, barring quite a mismatch or atypical game, you can essentially just tune in for the last 5-7 minutes.

They've "Mario-Karted" the whole product to ensure teams always have a quiver of red shells to use at the end and make it a "down to the wire!" game.