Apple, MLS announce 'Season Pass' for 2023 season

Apple and Major League Soccer have announced its MLS Season Pass streaming app to debut on February 1, 2023. As part of the 2023-2032 rights deal, this is the platform MLS fans will need for the next ten years to watch MLS games anywhere in the world.

MLS Season Pass from Apple TV has coverage of all MLS games with no blackouts. Plus, the platform includes all MLS NEXT and MLS NEXT Pro matches airing across the season. Users have access to subscription via practically any device using the Apple TV app. Apple listed those devices as “Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, gaming consoles and the web.” Notably, Android users must go through tv.apple.com.

Significantly, the pricing for MLS Season Pass on Apple is as follows. There is a monthly option for $14.99 per month. Or, there is an annual subscription offering that is $99 per season.

Subscribers to Apple TV+, which is $6.99 on its own, have discounts. The monthly subscription for Apple TV+ subscribers for MLS Season Pass is $12.99. The annual option is $79 per season. Again, the $12.99/month or $79 per season option is exclusive to Apple TV+ subscribers.

Additionally, full-season ticket plans for MLS teams come with a subscription to the Season Pass. Moreover, Apple mentioned some games are free during the season for Apple TV+ subscribers, regardless of whether or not users subscribe to Season Pass. That includes select regular season games, certain Leagues Cup matches and some playoff fixtures.

During the MLS is Back portion early on in the season, games are free for all viewers. All matches in the opening weekend are free on the Apple TV app.

MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

As stated, MLS Season Pass includes all games from Major League Soccer. There are no blackouts, and fans have a number of options at their disposal.

For one, fans can watch these games from the start, regardless of when they tune in. Plus, the coverage of any fixture in Major League Soccer is available in both English and Spanish. On top of that, all games involving Canadian teams are available in French. Then, fans also have the option of listening to a team’s radio broadcast crew, a good source of emotion when watching games.

Apple added that games primarily take place on Wednesday and Saturday, with kickoff times generally at 7:30 p.m. ET. There will be games starting at different times, however. Each game has 30 minutes of pregame coverage via Apple TV. Something notable about the concurrent kickoff times is Apple’s plan for a whip-around style show that has goals and highlights from across the grounds. This is similar to CBS’s Golazo Show for the Champions League, Goal Rush in the Premier League or the NFL RedZone Channel.

A full schedule of MLS games is coming mid-December. Also, further information regarding broadcast teams and more ways to watch MLS on Apple TV comes in the next few weeks.