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!

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I watch NFL and enjoy it still, mostly out of habit and tradition.

But I'm the first to admit that it's a tiny amount of actual game/sport sandwiched between endless and pervasive ADs for gambling, fat loss drugs, other drugs for various maladies, beer, pizza, wings, trucks, cell phone plans, insurance, on and on and on.

I always watch the team I follow on recorded delay.

I tend to time up my starting the recording so I can skip all of the above BS and be right about "live" as the final 5 minutes are winding down.

 

[bozzykid]

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

In what world do you think Apple has that power and legal authority?

 

[TheOldChevy]

I suppose that F1 will be limited to USA watchers

 

[bigchrisfgb]

I suppose that F1 will be limited to USA watchers

Apple’s deal with F1 is USA only. Other countries already have their own TV rights deals.
F1 has only picked up popularity in the USA since the Netflix documentary, otherwise it was behind things like NASCAR etc.

 

[ipedro]

Funny, I said this very exact thing in the F1 thread a few days ago.

Including sports with the tv streaming service with select races available for free to anyone in the tv app without a subscription is the correct format and seems aimed at avoiding the problems with MLS getting gated behind a paywall when it has yet to build a sufficient fanbase.

The Sports app and Apple News integrations will help grow F1's fanbase while exposing existing tv subscribers to the sport. I hope Apple adapts MLS to this format.

This is the correct approach, even if right now it's just for the playoff season. F1 will be available to anyone with an Apple TV subscription and so should MLS.

 

[Tenkaykev]

So you're not a fan of test match cricket I take it?

 

[StuBeck]

This is normal. This happens constantly and isn't a sign of anything else. I'm not sure where this topic has gotten so off topic.

 

[ossifer]

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

Why does the articles always bring out the jerks who try to outdo each other on how much they hate soccer/MLS?! You’re getting something for free, why bitch about it?