The 2023 Major League Soccer season, the 28th in league history, is a campaign of firsts. A new expansion team, St. Louis City SC, has taken the league to 29 clubs, and a new playoff format making its debut.
But most notably, Lionel Messi will make his MLS debut when the league returns to action following the Leagues Cup, which has brought a pause to league play through July and August. The entire Leagues Cup is also available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, as are the MLS Cup playoffs, once those arrive at the end of the regular season.
With these firsts, there is also brand new way to watch MLS around the world after the league inked a new broadcast deal was signed that could turn into the model followed by leagues around the world.
The U.S. league signed a 10-year global broadcast rights deal with Apple to stream every match of the entire season exclusively on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass — anywhere in the world. No blackouts or restrictions.
The Sporting News has all the details below on how it works, how much it costs, and which matches are available for free. First up, here’s the upcoming match schedule, followed by the key information you need to know.
MORE: Subscribe to MLS Season Pass here
Upcoming MLS schedule 2023 (Aug. 20)
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati | 7:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass USA: FS1, Fubo |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC | 7:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | NY Red Bulls vs. D.C. United | 7:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | NYCFC vs. Minnesota United | 7:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Philadelphia vs. FC Dallas | 7:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Toronto FC vs. CF Montreal | 7:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Chicago Fire vs. Orlando City | 8:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Houston vs. Portland | 8:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Nashville SC vs New England | 8:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | St. Louis City vs. Austin FC | 9:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass USA: FS1, Fubo |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake | 10:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | LAFC vs. Colorado Rapids | 10:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Seattle Sounders vs. Atlanta United | 10:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Vancouver vs. San Jose | 10:30 p.m. | Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
How much does Apple TV MLS Season Pass cost?
Watching MLS matches on Apple TV does not require a subscription to Apple TV+. The MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+ subscriptions are two separate services.
Now that the season is over halfway through, Apple has slashed the price to account for the significant games missed. New subscribers can get the rest of the MLS season, plus Leagues Cup and MLS playoffs, for a reduced rate.
MORE: A full rundown of how Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass works
| Regular rate (Midseason) |
Apple TV+ subscriber discount (Midseason) |
|
| Monthly | $14.99 / month | $12.99 / month |
| Yearly | $49 / year | $39 / year |
Fans who are not Apple TV+ subscribers
Fans who do not have an Apple TV+ subscription can subscribe to the midseason MLS Season Pass for $49, which gives access to games for the rest of the season. That number is down from the $99 price available at the start of the season.
There is also still the monthly rate available of $14.99/month as well, which does not change as part of this midseason promotion.
MORE: Subscribe to MLS Season Pass here
Fans who are Apple TV+ subscribers
There is a slight discount for Apple TV+ subscribers, who already pay $7 a month for AppleTV+ programming, which includes Ted Lasso and much more.
Current Apple TV+ subscribers can pay an additional $12.99 per month for the MLS Season Pass, or $39 for the remainder of the year.
There is also still the monthly rate available of $14.99/month as well, which does not change as part of this midseason promotion.
MORE: Subscribe to MLS Season Pass here
Free MLS matches
A reminder that each matchweek, Apple TV will make up to six games available for free, which will not require a subscription to stream.
Stream MLS matches on any device or platform
To watch Apple TV you don’t need to buy the Apple TV set-top device. All you need to do is to find the Apple TV app, which is available on most streaming devices, including on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, smart TVs, game consoles and on the web at tv.apple.com.
Then you can either decide to watch the free matches or subscribe for the MLS Season Pass package.
MORE: Lionel Messi scores winner on debut for Inter Miami | Messi bags brace in first Inter Miami start
How to watch MLS on Apple TV in 2023
Apple TV is the new home of Major League Soccer, with every match of the 2023 season streamed on the platform via MLS Season Pass.
There are no local blackouts or broadcast restrictions, no need to change the channel, and no searching for local networks carrying the matches. They’re all in one place for the next 10 years.
Every week, up to six select matches will be available to watch for free on the platform, without the need for a subscription. However, to get every single match and ensure you can watch your team all season long, a subscription to MLS Season Pass is required.
Keep in mind that Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass are not one and the same.
MLS Season Pass is a separate package which can be purchased separately from the Apple TV+ streaming service. But existing Apple TV+ subscribers do get the MLS Season Pass at a discounted rate.
While every match is on Apple TV via the Season Pass, a few of the matches throughout the season will also be on TV with Fox and FS1 carrying a total of 34 matches in English, with the same matches available on Fox Deportes in Spanish. Select matches will also be televised by TSN and RDS in Canada.
All televised matches are still available to stream as part of the MLS Season Pass package.