MLS No Longer Behind Separate Paywall on Apple TV Beginning in 2026

A subscription within a subscription… an option that was just not making a lot of sense for fans. You see MLS enthusiasts could catch games through Apple TV for an extra fee. But now this particular sports situation will be undergoing a change. MLS matchups will no longer be behind a separate paywall on Apple TV beginning in 2026.

Previously, a fee was necessary to watch the package of games on Apple TV. Although existing Apple TV subscribers received a discount. And MLS season-ticket holders received Season Pass for free. Now everything has changed.

Paul Tenorio of The Athletic/New York Times was among the first to break the news regarding this broadcasting development. Tenorio reveals, “BREAKING: MLS will come out from behind the separate MLS Season Pass subscription beginning in 2026, per sources. I can also now confirm a question a lot of people have been asking. Yes, MLS season ticket holders will get Apple TV (and all of its content) for free.”

So what does this mean for viewers? Well in a nutshell, Major League Soccer fans will reportedly not need an Apple MLS Season pass to watch in 2026, which would allow an Apple TV subscriber to enjoy games without paying extra. MLS Season Pass will no longer exist, and all MLS games will be available on the Apple TV streaming service. The official MLS website released a statement mentioning,

“Major League Soccer and Apple have announced that beginning in 2026, all MLS matches will be available to stream for Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost.

Starting next year, fans can watch every regular-season match, the annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, Campeones Cup, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and more – all included with an Apple TV subscription.

The standalone MLS Season Pass subscription on the Apple TV app will conclude after the 2025 season. In 2023, MLS games were first broadcast on Apple TV as part of a 10-year broadcasting deal.”

So then, for emphasis the MLS Season Pass subscription service, which has been a core element of the league’s Apple TV deal, is being scrapped and discontinued. Interestingly, this news comes as the league saw a 5.4% attendance dip in 2025 to 21,988 on-site fans per game, down from the league’s record of 23,234 in 2024.

MLS No Longer Behind Separate Paywall on Apple TV Beginning in 2026

Nonetheless, are you a bundler? Well, if you are this Apple TV situation might  prove to be a good sports situation. One thing you may want to remember and consider is that Apple TV and Peacock recently announced a bundle of the two platforms for $14.99 a month.

Not a bad deal for the Winter Olympics, Premier League, MLS, F1 (some sprinkled in MLB Friday, NBA, NFL games) and all the other entertainment and sports content on the two platforms. While fans wonder if the bundle price will rise due to the addition of F1. No such announcement has been made.

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