Apple TV+ and the top pro soccer league in the United States, Major League Soccer (MLS), said Wednesday the MLS Season Pass subscription service showing all matches with no blackouts launches February 1, 2023.
The launch, which includes features on multiple Apple services, kicks off a 10-year partnership between Apple and MLS.
Apple and MLS kick off 10-year partnership with February 1 launch of MLS Season Pass
Apple and MLS said Season Pass offers “an unprecedented subscription service to fans in over 100 countries and regions that features every live MLS regular-season match, the entire playoffs, and the League Cup, all with no blackouts.”
They added the pass and the 10-year partnership will bring MLS matches to their biggest worldwide audience ever though the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, and online at tv.apple.com.
“There isn’t a more perfect time to introduce MLS Season Pass, coming off the heels of the most dramatic MLS Cup in history and with MLS as the fastest-growing soccer league in the world,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, in a press release. “We’re counting down the days to February 2023 when fans everywhere can enjoy MLS Season Pass on billions of devices.”
Apple TV sleeve patches
This-coming MLS season features a new expansion club called St. Louis City SC. Its jerseys offer a first look at the Apple TV sleeve patch all MLS players will wear, in different colors according to team uniform.
Other clubs will share their jerseys just ahead of the 2023 season, which starts February 25.
“We could not be more excited to bring our fans MLS Season Pass, a new home for all MLS matches and a wide variety of league and club content they can’t get anywhere else,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber, MLS. “We have the most engaged and passionate fans in sports, and now they’ll have every match everywhere with MLS Season Pass.”
An array of programming — and pricing
Here’s how Apple and MLS described the upcoming programming and pricing:
MLS Season Pass will be home to the most expansive and accessible programming lineup ever for MLS fans, including all MLS and Leagues Cup matches, as well as hundreds of MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT games during the season. During match days, MLS Season Pass will feature an exclusive live match whip-around show so fans never miss an exciting goal or save, as well as game replays, highlights and analysis. Starting February 1, fans can subscribe to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app for $14.99 per month during the season or $99 per season, and Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up at a special price of $12.99 per month and $79 per season.
The season gets underway the first home opener announced so far, pitting 2022 MLS Cup champions Los Angeles FC against the LA Galaxy at Rose Bowl Stadium, where no regular-season match has played since 2002. That’s on opening day, February 25.
And during that “MLS is Back” opening weekend, all matches will be viewable for free on the Apple TV app.
Generally, fans will be able to watch a preview of an upcoming match. Then, on game day, they can watch any match from the start, even if they tune in late. After the match, replays, highlight packages and more will be available.
MLS Season Pass with ticket packages, plus free viewing
Here’s how Apple and MLS described how match ticket-package holders and casual fans alike can watch:
A subscription to MLS Season Pass will be included as part of full-season ticket packages with MLS clubs. A selection of MLS and Leagues Cup matches, including some of the biggest playoff matchups, will also be available at no additional cost to Apple TV+ subscribers, with a number of matches available for free on the Apple TV app. Additional details about the MLS Season Pass broadcast teams, production enhancements, as well as all the ways fans can enjoy MLS content across the Apple ecosystem, will be announced in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, you can visit apple.com/apple-tv-app to sign up for updates about MLS Season Pass.
English, Spanish and French broadcasts
MLS matches will feature English and Spanish broadcast crews, and matches featuring Canadian teams will also air in French. And you can listen to a club’s home radio broadcast on the Apple TV app.
Most matches air on Saturdays and Wednesdays, plus some on Sundays. Pregame coverage will usually begin at 7 p.m. local time, with game time a half an hour later.
The league’s full 2023 schedule is expected to come out in mid-December.
Follow MLS on Apple News
Apple News introduced a new My Sports section with iOS 16 that lets users follow their favorite clubs, teams and leagues. They can get related stories from top publishers and access scores, standings and schedules. And they can sync their team, including MLS clubs, with the Apple TV app.
Source: Apple