
<p>This summer’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/6-biggest-soccer-teams-in-world-to-play-in-us-summer-tourney-20230512-WST-432626.html">Soccer Champions Tour</a> will compete directly for viewers and popularity with the revamped Leagues Cup. The two competitions overlap in kickoff dates, making for a battle over which can pull in the audiences. </p>



<p>In one corner is the royalty of the sport. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Milan each have three games in the United States. Arsenal and Manchester United also feature. All combined, it’ll be the hottest <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/schedule-of-soccer-friendlies-in-us-this-summer/">soccer tickets in America</a> this summer. </p>



<p>That set of eight games goes against an entire tournament involving teams in MLS and Liga MX. Unlike the Soccer Champions Tour, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/leagues-cup-tv-schedule/">Leagues Cup</a> is a competition with legitimate consequences. Berths in the CONCACAF Champions League is one. Yet, this is one of the best opportunities to directly compare the Mexican club scene to the American one.</p>



<p>The only challenge is these games happen at the same time. The first games for the Leagues Cup are July 21. However, in order to spread out some of the action to potentially get more viewers, there are a handful of group stage games each day as opposed to making them all at the same time. Also, there are three teams in each Leagues Cup group, which makes scheduling a little more complex.</p>



<h2>Overlapping kickoff times in Soccer Champions Tour and Leagues Cup</h2>



<p>For example, look at the first games of the Soccer Champions Tour:</p>



<p>On Saturday, July 22, FC Barcelona plays Juventus in a rematch of the 2015 Champions League Final. On the same night, there are five Leagues Cup games. New England plays the New York Red Bulls, Montreal hosts Pumas, Philadelphia welcomes Tijuana, Seattle travels to Salt Lake and Portland faces San Jose.</p>



<p>These are interesting games, sure. Given the novelty of a tournament like the Leagues Cup, it will be interesting to see how these games shake out. As seen in the US Open Cup, or even grander competitions like the FA Cup or Champions League, it is not always the team to perform well in the league that hits the stride in the cup. </p>



<p>Although they are interesting games given the circumstances, the <em>casual</em> soccer fan may see Barcelona playing Juventus and be more interested in that game. With the NFL, NBA and NHL seasons all in their offseason, it may be more likely that an ordinary sports fan puts that game on in the evening. </p>



<p>Part of that certainly comes from exposure. Every single game of the Leagues Cup competition is available on <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a>. There will be select games on TV, too, as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/univision-acquires-leagues-cup-rights-but-passes-on-mls-20221213-WST-412190.html">Univision broadcasts select games</a> throughout the competition, and some games will be on UniMás. However, the majority of games are available exclusively through MLS Season Pass. </p>



<p></p><table class="table5" style="border: 5px solid red;">
<tbody>
<tr class="table5" style="width:100%">
<td style="width:70%">
<center><h4>Our Pick:</h4>
Includes: Every regular season game, MLS Cup Playoffs, Leagues Cup, &amp; More</center>
</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="background-color:black; vertical-align: middle;">
<center><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=rvo" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20230512_WST_432646_MLSSPRVO.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=100" alt="MLS Season Pass" width="200" height="100"></figure></div></a></center></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><center><a class="button" style="background-color:red" href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=rvo" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Sign Up</strong></span></a></center></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table><p></p>
&nbsp;



<p>The Soccer Champions Tour games, on the other hand, do not have TV coverage details out yet. Experts such as soccer reporter Bob Williams (on this week’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/podcast/">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a>) predict that the TV coverage may end up on ESPN, CBS or both. That is where to find LaLiga and Serie A, respectively, which make up the four main teams in the competition. ESPN and CBS are far more accessible than MLS Season Pass.</p>



<h5>Proximity of games also a potential threat</h5>



<p>Something else to consider is the fact that, for many Americans, this is a rare chance to see these top teams. Las Vegas, Orlando, Dallas, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area are not new to hosting these top teams. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/schedule-of-soccer-friendlies-in-us-this-summer/">Each of those cities hosted games</a> in the Soccer Champions Tour <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220727003706/https://www.soccerchampionstour.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">last year</a>. Regardless, fans will travel from around the country to see these significant games. </p>



<p>Looking at the schedules, one day of concern for the Leagues Cup could be Saturday, July 29. This is the day of El Clasico at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, TX. That same day, there are games in Austin and Atlanta, both of which are fairly close to Dallas. Fans in Texas or the greater south would have to decide if they want to see Austin FC play Juarez or el Clásico in the United States.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="SOCCER CHAMPIONS TOUR invades America 🇺🇸" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g2acPW-h6s8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8QBdJBkO8k" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fan attendance</a> and the emotion involved with the games could play a major role in how well this new format and experience looks between Major League Soccer and Liga MX.</p>



<h2>2023 Soccer Champions Tour Schedule:</h2>



<p>Saturday, July 22 <strong>— </strong>FC Barcelona vs. Juventus <strong>— </strong>Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-levis-stadium-7-22-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418404" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Sunday, July 23 <strong>—</strong> Real Madrid vs. AC Milan <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>The Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-rose-bowl-stadium-7-23-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Wednesday, July 26 <strong>—</strong> Arsenal vs. FC Barcelona <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-sofi-stadium-7-26-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418419" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Wednesday, July 26 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Real Madrid vs. Manchester United <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>NRG Stadium, Houston, TX —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-nrg-stadium-7-26-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418421" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Thursday, July 27 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Juventus vs. AC Milan <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-dignity-health-sports-park-7-27-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418422" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Saturday, July 29 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>AT&amp;T Stadium, Arlington, TX —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-att-stadium-7-29-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418423" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Tuesday, August 1 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>AC Milan vs. FC Barcelona <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-allegiant-stadium-8-1-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418426" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Wednesday, August 2 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Juventus vs. Real Madrid <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-camping-world-stadium-8-2-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418424" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p></p>



<p><em>Photo: Imago/Marca</em></p>


This summer will have a great battle, but not between two teams. The Soccer Champions Tour and the Leagues Cup go head to head in the US.

Soccer Champions Tour goes head to head against Leagues Cup

destacadas


<p>Whether this week’s <a href="https://twitter.com/MLSGoneWild/status/1642933981782982675" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> is true or not that MLS Season Pass subscriptions are falling well below the league’s own projections is irrelevant. Apple countered, without revealing any metrics, that it was <a href="https://twitter.com/HowieLongShort/status/1643969319401824258" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">very happy with the progress</a>. Honestly, though, it’s too early in the 10-year partnership to begin panicking. Still, there are some cracks that are starting to appear. In short, MLS Season Pass would improve if changes are made.</p>



<p>For instance, is MLS willing to make changes or to recognize its own weaknesses in the way the league format is structured? Apple, as a company, encourages the unvarnished truth from its customers, so the tech giant can continue to iterate its products and services. In contrast, in the way that MLS operates, the league has historically been very insular and guarded, rarely listening to the opinions of its customers. Instead, under a single entity system, league executives serve the team owners who each own a share in the league as a franchisee.</p>



<p>Bottom line, is the league willing to open itself up to finally listen and make improvements that can help it improve? Only time will tell.</p>



<h2>MLS faces challenges of its own making</h2>



<p>MLS faces some very unique challenges. First, its fanbase are more fickle and are less likely to be hardcore soccer fans. Yes, they have their favorite local team to watch, but they’re not as interested —&nbsp;as say a fan of a Premier League club —&nbsp;in watching the rest of the teams in the league. Hence, I would argue that fair weather fans of MLS teams are less likely to pay the <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=improvemls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$99 subscription cost</a> than fans of teams from other leagues.</p>



<p>Second, most of the MLS fans who are already hardcore already receive a free subscription to MLS Season Pass with their season ticket purchased from their local team. That’s great for those fans who enjoy watching <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=challenges" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a>. However, they are not the target audience for Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. MLS and Apple want to reach the casual fans. Those who have an interest in soccer, but haven’t subscribed yet. But with the regular season between April and the end of June having <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-season-pass-honeymoon-period-is-over-now-what-20230401-WST-425640.html">very little meaning</a>, what incentive do soccer fans have in subscribing even if <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-creates-appointment-viewing-with-mls-season-pass-20230313-WST-422294.html">MLS Season Pass has been fun to watch</a>? If you’re not a fan of one of the 29 teams, why should you watch in April, May and June?</p>



<p>There are reasons to be more optimistic in July. Leagues Cup, the annual competition between Liga MX and MLS, could be the pinnacle of the entire MLS 2023 season. All of the games from the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/leagues-cup-tv-schedule/">Leagues Cup</a> from July 21 through August 19 are on MLS Season Pass. This could end up being a runaway hit for Major League Soccer. But Leagues Cup faces stiff competition. Barcelona and Real Madrid are working on scheduling an El Clásico this summer in Las Vegas, <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/real-madrid-espreal_madrid/story/4873772/real-madrid-barcelona-want-another-preseason-clasico-in-united-states-sources" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">per ESPN</a>. Plus, among several of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/schedule-of-soccer-friendlies-in-us-this-summer/">foreign clubs playing in the United States</a> this July include Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Wrexham AFC.</p>



<p></p><table class="table5" style="border: 5px solid red;">
<tbody>
<tr class="table5" style="width:100%">
<td style="width:70%">
<center><h4>Our Pick:</h4>
Includes: Every regular season game, MLS Cup Playoffs, Leagues Cup, &amp; More</center>
</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="background-color:black; vertical-align: middle;">
<center><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=rvo" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20230408_WST_426736_MLSSPRVO.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=100" alt="MLS Season Pass" width="200" height="100"></figure></div></a></center></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><center><a class="button" style="background-color:red" href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=rvo" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Sign Up</strong></span></a></center></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table><p></p>
&nbsp;



<h2>How can MLS become more relevant?</h2>



<p>MLS, as the league format is currently structured, does Apple TV no favors.</p>



<p>Looking at the English Premier League, as a comparison, there are two main reasons why its the most popular English-language soccer league in the United States. First, every game matters throughout the entire season. That means that all 10 months are a must-watch. Second, every season has the intrigue of promotion and relegation. In the United States, neutral fans are often glued to relegation battles, as well as the Championship Playoff Final. For soccer fans, the aspect of promotion and relegation is one of the main reasons why we love the sport so much. It’s no coincidence that the story arc in both hit shows <em>Ted Lasso </em>and <em>Welcome to Wrexham </em>is promotion and relegation.</p>



<p>In MLS, we can argue that the must-watch months during the nine month season are March and August through November. That translates to 55% of the entire season. Even if we add July to that equation for Leagues Cup, it’s still 66% of the entire season compared to the Premier League where 100% of the season is relevant.</p>



<p>The way for a MLS season to become more relevant (and thus more successful for MLS Season Pass) is to change the format. Instead of restricting itself to having the most important games of the season scheduled for the last three months of the season, the league could go with a proven model. Almost every other soccer league in the world has a format where the teams that achieve the most number of points in the season win the competition. With MLS having 29 teams and two conferences, there would be an Eastern Conference winner and a Western Conference winner. And then both teams could face each other to crown a MLS Cup champion.</p>



<p>If MLS makes every game matter, it offers fans more reasons to subscribe. </p>



<p>However, if MLS wants to stick to its American sports league format akin to NFL and MLB, there is a compromise. Copy the Liga MX league where there is a spring season as well as a fall season. At the end of each spring and fall season, there are playoffs. By splitting the season into two, it keeps fans tuned in without having a lull like MLS has between April and the end of June.</p>



<p>Ever since <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=improvemls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a> was first announced, we’ve been big believers that the streaming service is a big win for soccer fans and cord-cutters. Major League Soccer has the opportunity to make MLS Season Pass a success. But in order to do so, the league and its fans need to be honest with themselves and to recognize what it needs to do to grow. Apple TV has provided the tools, now it’s up to MLS to make the changes beginning next season.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Can MLS, Apple and CBS succeed with their soccer offerings?" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ZTOr_ovlqk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>


MLS Season Pass would improve if Major League Soccer is honest with itself and makes the necessary changes to be more relevant.

MLS Season Pass would improve if MLS changes its format - World Soccer Talk

MLS Season Pass would improve if MLS changes its format


<p>You can watch the Leagues Cup on US TV, and there is no better time than now to start watching. Launching in 2023, MLS and Liga MX revamped the Leagues Cup. Now, it features every MLS team and every Liga MX team. Plus, it is on the home of Major League Soccer, Apple.</p>



<p>Major League Soccer teams have undergone some serious change with how to watch the teams this season. Apple’s MLS Season Pass deal removed many of the games from linear TV, making the league near-exclusive to streaming. Still, the most efficient way to watch the competition is with <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=watchleaguescup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a>, which has coverage of every Leagues Cup game via streaming.</p>



<h5>Leagues Cup available on MLS Season Pass</h5>



<table class="table5">
<tbody>
<tr class="table5" style="width:100%">
<td style="width:70%">
<center><h4>Recommended Viewing Option</h4>
Includes: Every regular season game, MLS Cup Playoffs, Leagues Cup, &amp; More</center>
</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="background-color:black; vertical-align: middle;">
<center><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=rvo" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20230331_WST_425889_MLSSPRVO.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=100" alt="MLS Season Pass" width="200" height="100"></figure></div></a></center></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><center><a class="button" href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=rvo" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Sign Up</strong></span></a></center></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>



<h2>Watch Leagues Cup on US TV</h2>



<p>The Leagues Cup’s English-language broadcasts are part of the <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4&amp;ct=watchleaguescup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a> deal. That provides coverage of every single game in MLS and in the Leagues Cup. </p>



<p>In terms of TV coverage, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-picks-up-linear-tv-deals-with-fox-and-univision-20221213-WST-412291.html">English-language coverage is available via FOX</a>. The TV deal between MLS and FOX gives the FOX family of TV channels 10 group stage games, four round of 32 fixtures and two round of 16 clashes. Notably, the Leagues Cup Final does <em>not </em>have linear TV coverage. Instead, that is only available on MLS Season Pass. </p>



<p>Then, Spanish broadcasts air on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/univision-acquires-leagues-cup-rights-but-passes-on-mls-20221213-WST-412190.html">Univision and UniMás</a>. Notably, this <em>does </em>include the Leagues Cup Final, which will air on Univision. Therefore, if you have a way to watch Univision, such as <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fubo</a>, but you do not want to subscribe to MLS Season Pass, you can still watch the Leagues Cup Final.</p>



<p>The full <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/leagues-cup-tv-schedule/">Leagues Cup TV schedule</a> has the up-to-date listing for when and where to watch every single game in the competition. </p>



<h5>A revamped Leagues Cup competition</h5>



<p>The Leagues Cup is undergoing a massive overhaul in the 2023 season. In the previous two years, fans got an appetizer for what the competition could look like in the Leagues Cup Showcase. A handful of MLS teams played one-off games against a few Liga MX sides. However, there was only pride on the line in those games. </p>



<p>In 2023, though, there is something to play for, as 47 teams battle for the trophy. The MLS Cup Winner, LAFC, and the Mexican champion with the highest aggregate points accumulated between the Apertura and Clausura phases, Pachuca, automatically qualify for the round of 32. Then, the other 45 teams split into 15 groups of three. The teams play each team in their group just once, with each game taking place in the United States or Canada. All of those games happen in an 11-day span in late July. </p>



<p>The top two teams from each group advance. Then, it is a 32-team single-elimination bracket that only has one leg, no two-legged ties. The third-place and second-place teams earn qualification to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/concacaf-champions-league-tv-schedule/">CONCACAF Champions League</a>. The winner, however, automatically gets a spot in the Champions League round of 16.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="MLS SEASON PASS: How to sign up 👀" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ptGYmENpPm8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>


<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to Major League Soccer</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of MLS Season Pass!</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-faq-20230203-WST-413216.html/"><strong>Season Pass FAQ:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-faq-20230203-WST-413216.html/">answer your questions</a> about MLS Season Pass</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-get-mls-season-pass-20230203-WST-417725.html"><strong>Sign up:</strong></a> Learn <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-get-mls-season-pass-20230203-WST-417725.html">how to subscribe</a> to MLS Season Pass</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-announcers-and-analysts-for-apple-deal-20230203-WST-416042.html"><strong>Commentators:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-announcers-and-analysts-for-apple-deal-20230203-WST-416042.html">who&apos;s</a> calling the action for the MLS season</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
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Looking for how to watch the Leagues Cup on US TV? Here are the answers you need to know for the revamped competition in 2023.

How to watch the Leagues Cup on US TV


<p>While Major League Soccer has a massive streaming deal, MLS has also acquired linear TV rights from both FOX and Univision. The entities announced a four-year deal, even though MLS’s streaming deal with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/apple-mls-announce-season-pass-for-2023-season-20221116-WST-408593.html">MLS Season Pass</a> on Apple is a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/10-things-we-learned-about-mls-and-apple-tv-deal-20221028-WST-406118.html">10-year agreement</a>.</p>



<p>FOX Sports’s channels, namely FOX, FS1 and FOX Deportes, have exclusive English- and Spanish-language TV broadcasts of an average of 34 regular season and eight MLS Cup Playoff matches each season. Same goes for the MLS Cup Final. The linear TV home of that for the next four years is FOX for English-language broadcasts, and FOX Deportes for Spanish.</p>



<p>Noticeably, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/univision-acquires-leagues-cup-rights-but-passes-on-mls-20221213-WST-412190.html">Univision is not<strong> </strong>part of the deal</a> with MLS games. However, that does not mean MLS teams entirely exit the channel. Instead, Leagues Cup games, which involve all MLS and Liga MX teams, have a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/univision-acquires-leagues-cup-rights-but-passes-on-mls-20221213-WST-412190.html">linear Spanish-language home on Univision</a>. Select games are also available on UniMás and TUDN.</p>


<table class="table5">
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<td width="30%"><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20221213_WST_412291_MLSSeasonPass.webp&amp;width=201&amp;height=101" width="201" height="101" alt="MLS Season Pass"></figure></div></a></td>
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<h5 style="color: white;">Includes every MLS match, MLS Cup, Leagues Cup, select MLS NEXT Pro games + exclusive content</h5>
</td>
<td><a class="button" href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Browse Offers</strong></span></a></td>
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<p>For English-language Leagues Cup coverage, FOX’s channels have linear broadcasts of those games. The linear channels carry 10 group stage, four round of 32 and two round of 16 clashes. Notably, the Leagues Cup Final does not have English-language linear TV coverage. Instead, that is available exclusively through the <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4"" target="blank" rel="noopener">MLS Season Pass</a>.</p>



<p>Of course, all MLS and Leagues Cup games are available via streaming from the <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4"" target="blank" rel="noopener">MLS Season Pass</a> from Apple. This comes at a price point of $14.99 per month or $99 per season.</p>



<h2>MLS announces linear TV deals with FOX and Univision</h2>



<p>It is an unclear future for Major League Soccer. It no longer has games on ESPN, a home for the league since its inception. Also, the lack of Univision is the first time it is not part of the <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/mls-apple-fox-univision-espn-20221212.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS-specific deal since 2007</a>. Now, all actual league games on TV run through FOX. </p>



<p>As stated, each regular season has 34 games on FOX, FS1 or FOX Deportes. Moreover, 15 of those regular season games are on the FOX channel, which is an OTA channel. Additionally, there are eight Audi MLS Cup Playoff matches on those three channels. However, MLS has had discussion over <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mls-eyes-new-playoff-format-for-2023-20221026-WST-405812.html">changing its playoff structure</a>, bringing the total number of games up to what could be over 30 by this upcoming season. Consequently, there would be just a quarter of games available to linear viewers.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire</em></p>


<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to Major League Soccer</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of MLS Season Pass!</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-faq-20230203-WST-413216.html/"><strong>Season Pass FAQ:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-faq-20230203-WST-413216.html/">answer your questions</a> about MLS Season Pass</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-get-mls-season-pass-20230203-WST-417725.html"><strong>Sign up:</strong></a> Learn <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-get-mls-season-pass-20230203-WST-417725.html">how to subscribe</a> to MLS Season Pass</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-announcers-and-analysts-for-apple-deal-20230203-WST-416042.html"><strong>Commentators:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-announcers-and-analysts-for-apple-deal-20230203-WST-416042.html">who&apos;s</a> calling the action for the MLS season</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-watch-mls-season-pass-on-android-20230203-WST-416910.html"><strong>Android users</strong></a> Tips for fans <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-watch-mls-season-pass-on-android-20230203-WST-416910.html">Android users</a> on how to watch MLS Season Pass</div>
</div>

MLS announced its plans for linear TV coverage, with FOX and Univision both featuring MLS sides throughout the season, but in varying ways.

MLS picks up linear TV deals with FOX and Univision


<p>Univision will broadcast Leagues Cup games beginning in 2023. It will not, however, do the same for Major League Soccer.</p>



<p>Univision will have linear rights to the package of Leagues Cup games, according to the <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/mls-apple-fox-univision-espn-20221212.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jonathan Tannenwald</a>. Featuring Liga MX against Major League Soccer teams battling each other, the Leagues Cup Final appears on Univision. Currently, that is scheduled for August 19. In total, there are 47 teams competing, and that encompasses all of MLS and Liga MX in the competition.</p>



<p>To begin with, Apple <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/14/mls-signs-10-year-deal-with-apple-tv-in-global-deal/">acquired the rights</a> to both MLS and Leagues Cup action for 2023 through 2032. The new MLS broadcaster allows fans to watch both English- and Spanish-language coverage on the same platform. Furthermore, Apple’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/apple-mls-announce-season-pass-for-2023-season-20221116-WST-408593.html">MLS Season Pass</a> is a paid subscription, so this is quite a departure for MLS compared to the previous FOX, ESPN and Univision deal.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breaking news tonight – <br><br>I am told that Univision will not carry MLS regular-season and playoff games in the new era of broadcast rights that starts next year.<br><br>Details here, and more tidbits:<a href="https://t.co/WYVzZ05LgO">https://t.co/WYVzZ05LgO</a> <a href="https://t.co/p4d7KOY4ND">pic.twitter.com/p4d7KOY4ND</a></p>— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) <a href="https://twitter.com/thegoalkeeper/status/1602488789284388864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>The over-the-air channel Univision, itself, will not carry all the Spanish-language TV games for Leagues Cup. The provider designates some games to UniMás. While UniMás is on cable, UniMás is over-the-air in select cities.</p>



<p>Most expect the Leagues Cup to be a success. The new competition incorporates top teams in the United States, Mexico and Canada, pulling in that wide range of audiences.</p>



<h2>Univision in on Leagues Cup, out on MLS</h2>



<p>While Univision does have TV broadcasts of the Leagues Cup, it is not going to broadcast Spanish-language MLS games on TV for the first time since 2006. The provider was also the first home of Spanish TV coverage back in 1996 to 1999. Then, it reappeared for MLS in 2007, broadcasting games up through this past season.</p>



<p>Part of the reason Univision is out on MLS is because of the provider’s desire to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/vix-soccer-spanish-language-fans-20220217-CMS-371676.html">air games on ViX+</a>, its designated streaming platform. Univision wanted to broadcast games exclusively on ViX+. However, as Apple TV+ has the Spanish-language streaming coverage for <em>all </em>MLS games in the new deal, there is no available <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/07/03/vix-plus-pricing-details/">audience for ViX+</a> in that regard. Essentially, it would cannibalize itself by not maximizing potential audiences. </p>


<h4>Recommended viewing option:</h4>
<table class="table5">
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<td width="30%"><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20221213_WST_412190_MLSSeasonPass.webp&amp;width=201&amp;height=101" width="201" height="101" alt="MLS Season Pass"></figure></div></a></td>
<td width="40%">
<h5 style="color: white;">Includes every MLS match, MLS Cup, Leagues Cup, select MLS NEXT Pro games + exclusive content</h5>
</td>
<td><a class="button" href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Browse Offers</strong></span></a></td>
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</tbody>
</table>


<p>This comes shortly after <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/espn-unlikely-to-renew-mls-tv-deal-speculates-industry-analyst-20221207-WST-411622.html">ESPN pulled out of broadcasting English-language MLS games on TV</a>, a partnership that lasted the 26-year history of Major League Soccer. </p>



<p>Both Univision and ESPN will not have TV broadcasts of Major League Soccer for the regular season and playoffs. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to Major League Soccer</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of MLS Season Pass!</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-faq-20230203-WST-413216.html/"><strong>Season Pass FAQ:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-faq-20230203-WST-413216.html/">answer your questions</a> about MLS Season Pass</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-get-mls-season-pass-20230203-WST-417725.html"><strong>Sign up:</strong></a> Learn <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-get-mls-season-pass-20230203-WST-417725.html">how to subscribe</a> to MLS Season Pass</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-announcers-and-analysts-for-apple-deal-20230203-WST-416042.html"><strong>Commentators:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/mls-season-pass-announcers-and-analysts-for-apple-deal-20230203-WST-416042.html">who&apos;s</a> calling the action for the MLS season</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-watch-mls-season-pass-on-android-20230203-WST-416910.html"><strong>Android users</strong></a> Tips for fans <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/how-to-watch-mls-season-pass-on-android-20230203-WST-416910.html">Android users</a> on how to watch MLS Season Pass</div>
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Univision will air Leagues Cup games on US TV. However, the Spanish broadcaster opted to not get in on the MLS action for this campaign.

Univision acquires Leagues Cup rights but passes on MLS


<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/liga-mx-tv-schedule/">Liga MX</a> announced details for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/leagues-cup-tv-schedule/">Leagues Cup</a>. The interleague tournament debuts next summer involving all 47 teams from the two competitions. Therefore, fans in Mexico and the United States find out the top team between the two.</p>



<p>Much like the World Cup, the Leagues Cup features a group stage. Then, there are two knockout rounds. Two teams, one from MLS and one from Liga MX, receive a bye and skip the group stage.</p>



<p>The reigning MLS Cup champion will receive one bye, while the Mexican club with the most combined points between the Clausura 2022 and Apertura 2022 gets the other.</p>



<p>Group stage placement for MLS teams comes from the 2022 Supporters’ Shield standings. The top 15 MLS clubs will be placed in groups depending on seeding and region. These teams will also host two group stage matches.</p>



<p>Similarly, Liga MX teams will also have their top 15 teams based on Clausura and Apertura final standings as well. The 15th-ranked Liga MX will be put into a group with the number one MLS team and so on.</p>



<p>The remaining 13 teams will split up into the groups based on geographic regions. These clubs only host one match per group stage.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">77 matches. 47 clubs. Four weeks. Three countries. Two leagues. One champion.<br><br>Can’t wait for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeaguesCup2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeaguesCup2023</a>.🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽 <a href="https://t.co/PSJkMZgCnU">pic.twitter.com/PSJkMZgCnU</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1578055727570116613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>2023 Leagues Cup details</h2>



<p>No games end in a tie in the tournament. Group stage teams each receive one point if the game is tied after 90 minutes. However, games ending level after 90 minutes go to a penalty shootout. The winner of the spot kicks receives an additional point.</p>



<p>As two teams from each group qualify for the next phase, the knockout round will start with 32 teams. There will be a single elimination phase until the tournament is completed. The top three finishers in the Leagues Cup will also automatically qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.</p>



<p>The tournament is set to run from July 21 to August 19th of next summer. As Apple and MLS have entered a partnership, all matches will be streamed on the AppleTV app.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire</em></p>


The modified and revamped Leagues Cup, launching in 2023 for Liga MX and MLS, has new details about formatting and what to expect for fans.

MLS, Liga MX reveal new Leagues Cup tournament details

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>Major League Soccer (MLS) is hoping its next TV deal is <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/11/24/charlotte-fc-president-confident-of-record-breaking-mls-tv-deal/">worth significantly more per year than the current deal</a> that expires at the end of next season. The current deal began in 2015. It includes properties owned by the US Soccer Federation (USSF) and managed by MLS’ marketing arm Soccer United Marketing (SUM). But how much of the MLS TV rights deal depends on Leagues Cup potential?</p>
<p>Current rights holders Univision as well as ESPN and FOX will likely bid in an effort to retain MLS rights. The expectation is that <a href="https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2021/04/13/Media/MLS-rights.aspx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">several other media companies</a> including ViacomCBS and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2020/06/25/turner-and-bleacher-report-quit-champions-league-but-have-eyes-on-mls-rights/">WarnerMedia will bid for MLS media rights</a>. </p>
<h3>MLS TV deal without US National Team rights</h3>
<p>The next TV package will <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2019/08/07/us-soccer-must-unbundle-uswnt-mls-sum-tv-rights-deal/">not include the USSF piece of the previous TV deal</a>. In short, USSF has decided to bring its media rights back in house. This leaves MLS in a potentially precarious position. The rights to USMNT-USWNT matches were a major reason why the broadcasters combined paid $90 million annually for MLS. </p>
<p>It is pretty clear that a big chunk of the value was directly tied to the USSF piece of the package. Theoretically, the loss of the USSF part of the deal would make the next rights package less valuable. MLS’ TV ratings have not grown as well since the time of the previous media rights package. However, when MLS negotiated its last deal, the league had 20 teams. This deal will feature nine more clubs in the league with potentially more expansion on the horizon. </p>
<h3>Enter Leagues Cup</h3>
<p>MLS/SUM have created a clever way to add more value to the next TV deal despite losing the USSF package. Currently SUM operates a summer tournament known as Leagues Cup. It pits four top Liga MX sides against four selected MLS ones. Subsequently, when the new TV deal begins in 2023 for MLS, changes are afoot. The Leagues Cup will expand from eight teams to include the entire roster of MLS and Liga MX. That is a minimum of 47 teams in total. </p>
<p>Leagues Cup will be a component of the new MLS deal, effectively replacing the USSF portion of the previous package. </p>
<p>Both Liga MX and MLS will pause their respective seasons for a month in the summer for the competition.  In addition, Leagues Cup now will carry with it sanctioning from Concacaf. Therefore, it will be the first cup competition in the world to include every team from two separate FIFA-sanctioned first divisions. </p>
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Concacaf to make important announcement" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6P8iRjfFYIw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p>Expanding the competition in theory is about improving the level of club play in North America. MLS has touted the value of the new competition in many ways. First, to improve player development. Second, to increase squad depth. Third, to create more meaningful matches. Traditionally, MLS seasons have been long where in some cases you can lose or draw 60% of your matches and still qualify for postseason play.  The league has said that the competition will provide a global window on players and clubs based in North America.  </p>
<h3>Selling an unproven cup competition</h3>
<p>While all of MLS’ reasoning sounds nice, it could have a grain of truth attached to it. Leagues Cup is clearly designed to become the premier TV property under the SUM umbrella. MLS is taking a month off during its season for the competition. The hope is meaningful matches against Liga MX clubs will bring more eyeballs to the product. The winner, runners-up and third-placed team will get an automatic spot in the following season’s Concacaf Champions League. That competition gives every MLS side an opportunity to qualify for the expanded 2025 FIFA World Club Cup. </p>
<p>In an <a href="https://theathletic.com/2902500/2021/10/20/qa-charlotte-fc-president-nick-kelly-on-the-business-of-mls/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview with <em>The Athletic</em></a>, Charlotte FC President Nick Kelly had this to say about the Leagues Cup:</p>
<blockquote><p>Well, it is interesting because we have got the expanded Leagues Cup coming in 2023 and that is a big, formal start with [Liga MX]. The fact that we are going to shut down for a whole month to do it is at least a good first step. To work out what this is going to look like, what is the impact on MLS, what is the impact on Liga MX. I think there could be a huge impact from a broadcast point of view. If they have the same level of fandom that the Champions League has in Europe, it is just a home run. We will be coming out of a World Cup, so that is good timing. It could work out really well.</p></blockquote>
<p>The <a href="https://acmconnect.com/blog/liga-mx-leads-in-soccer-viewership-in-u-s/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">highest television numbers for club soccer</a> in the United States feature Liga MX. The profile of MLS on Univision exceeds any other property on the broadcaster’s multiple linear channels. Ensuring Univision or another Spanish-language broadcaster pays more in the next rights cycle is critical. Especially as part of the thinking around the expansion of this competition. </p>
<h3>MLS TV rights deal depends on Leagues Cup potential</h3>
<p>Additionally, Leagues Cup as both a linear-digital property may add more interest in the number of bidders on English language TV. Leagues Cup can fill a critical hole in the summer programming of many linear channels. It also can add increased content for the likes of current rights holders ESPN and FOX. It also will undoubtedly add lots of intriguing matches that streaming services such as <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ESPN+</a>, WarnerMedia’s <a href="https://www.hbomax.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">HBO Max</a>, ViacomCBS’ <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Paramount+</a> and others would find interesting. </p>
<p>An expanded Leagues Cup appears to be something that will be entertaining and interesting for fans of the sport. It is a cup competition that virtually merges the two top leagues in North America together for a month of meaningful competitive matches. In a certain manner, the launching of this expanded tournament and the rationalizations around it is a concession from MLS that its regular season is largely meaningless at points, and that TV viewership would likely be higher with more critically competitive matches. </p>
<p>With all this in mind, it is very possible that the Leagues Cup expansion is to give MLS and SUM cover for its most glaring weakness as a media property. That is the lack of meaning to most soccer fans around individual matches during the summer. This need is due to SUM losing the USSF rights, which provided several meaningful matches guaranteed to garner good TV numbers. </p>
<h3>Is Leagues Cup the remedy?</h3>
<p>It is without question that the expanded Leagues Cup will add an exciting, new dimension to competitive club soccer in North America. But what is really critical to ponder is if this gambit, which involves MLS shutting down its own competition for a month and rendering it effectively secondary in the overall summer landscape of the sport, will net the league a substantial spike in both dollars earned from media rights and TV viewership?</p>
<p>We do not know the answer to this yet, but the Leagues Cup certainly will add flavor to MLS and more value to the competitiveness on the soccer side of its clubs. </p>
<p>But will it be the big TV hit the league needs? And what happens if Liga MX teams dominate winning the competition similar to Concacaf Champions League, making MLS teams look inferior? We do not quite know those answers yet. But a consideration is that MLS is banking its future TV rights success on attracting Liga MX viewers.</p>
<div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/744470116&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/watching-liga-mx-in-english-language-with-chris-wittyngham" title="Watching Liga MX in English-language with Chris Wittyngham" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">Watching Liga MX in English-language with Chris Wittyngham</a></div>


The next MLS TV rights deal depends on Leagues Cup success as the top-flight U.S. soccer league rolls the dice on attracting Liga MX fans.