Earthquakes fans will have to change how they watch their team in 2023 under first-year manager Luchi Gonzalez, whose tenure starts Saturday when the Quakes open at Atlanta United.
NBC Sports Bay Area will no longer air games beginning this season, as Major League Soccer has moved to the streaming space for local broadcasts. Now, fans must subscribe to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ to watch the Earthquakes.
Season Pass launched Feb. 1 and will include all MLS games in English and Spanish. The cost is $14.99 per month or $99 per season. Those who already subscribe to Apple TV+ will have access to all games for the first week of the season, but after that, Apple expects to make six games per week available outside of MLS Season Pass. Apple TV+ subscribers can add on Season Pass for a slightly discounted price ($12.99 per month or $79 for the season).
There will still be a fair number of MLS games aired on TV: Fox Sports will broadcast 34 regular-season games and eight playoff matches between Fox, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes. Fox’s main over-the-air channel will show 15 regular-season games and the MLS Cup final.
The Quakes, after finishing last in the Western Conference in 2022, have one game scheduled for TV broadcast – the May 14 California Clasico in Los Angeles against the Galaxy, on Fox Sports 1. A number of their 33 other games may be included in the free games available on Apple TV+ outside of the Season Pass subscription, too.
Bars and restaurants will have access to MLS Season Pass via DirecTV for Business, the satellite service announced last week, similar to a deal last fall with Amazon to air “Thursday Night Football”.
Below is more information on how to subscribe and watch games.
HOW DO I FIND THE MLS GAMES BEING STREAMED BY APPLE TV+?
The app can be accessed on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top cable boxes and game consoles as well as Apple’s website.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
The package will be $14.99 per month or $99 a season. Apple TV+ subscribers will be able to purchase it at $12.99 per month and $79 per season.
Season-ticket holders to MLS clubs will receive subscriptions as part of their ticket benefits.
For those who have Apple TV+ and don’t want to subscribe, all the games on opening week will be available for free. After that, Apple expects to offer six games free per week.
WHERE WILL THE GAMES BE AVAILABLE?
Every game will be on Season Pass without local blackouts or restrictions. The Apple TV app is available in over 100 countries.
WHAT ELSE WILL BE ON SEASON PASS?
Teams will produce player profiles and other series for their pages throughout the season as well as offer replays of past games. New fans of a team will be able to catch up on their history as well as traditions through videos.
HOW LONG IS APPLE’S AGREEMENT WITH MLS?
It is for 10 years and MLS will receive at least $250 million per season from Apple. The league averaged $90 million per season under its previous eight-year agreements with Fox, ESPN and Univision.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.