Starting in 2026, MLS content—including Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup, and all-match coverage—will be available through Apple TV subscriptions instead of a separate Season Pass fee, signaling a major shift in how fans access MLS programming.

MLS commissioner Don Garber frames the move as part of a broader effort to make MLS more accessible and connected for fans worldwide, while also aiming to attract more Apple TV subscribers and position Apple as a premier live sports streaming destination.

Garber views the transition as a starting point for ongoing improvements in measurement and reporting, not a final state, suggesting future refinements in how audiences and revenue are tracked.

Executives indicated optimism that MLS could eventually qualify for revenue sharing under the new model, despite earlier uncertainty about meeting thresholds.

The piece includes standard editorial ethics disclosures and potential conflicts of interest related to startup coverage.

reporting cites Paul Tenorio of The Athletic regarding the discontinuation news and discusses related scheduling and calendar changes for the league.

Questions linger about whether the price shift will compensate for the loss of the Season Pass and what future pricing considerations may arise.

Garber emphasized the need for greater consumer adoption and clearer audience metrics as the deal evolves, highlighting transparency concerns.

Industry analysis notes that the streaming shift could reshape how leagues package sports and pressure competitors to rethink their offerings.

The move signals a broader trend toward free, integrated streaming experiences in sports, potentially influencing viewership, monetization, and pricing dynamics.

While details remain opaque, Apple is likely absorbing costs to grow subscribers, with positive market reactions and potential indirect benefits to Apple’s services revenue.

The revised agreement aims to broaden MLS’s fanbase by removing the extra paywall step, pending board approval.