Apple is about to make its Apple TV streaming service a lot more interesting for sports fans. Starting in 2026, Major League Soccer games will no longer require a separate subscription.
The MLS Season Pass, which costs $14.99 a month or $99 a season, will disappear, and all games will be included in the standard $12.99 Apple TV subscription. For anyone who skipped MLS in the past, Apple has just removed a major barrier to entry.
This is part of a broader pattern. Apple already carries Formula 1 in the United States, and MLB content is also available to subscribers.
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The company is quietly assembling a bundle of live sports that covers spring, summer, and fall, turning Apple TV into something closer to a one-stop sports platform.
For Apple users who already rely on the company’s ecosystem, it’s another subtle reminder that Apple knows how to keep you locked in without adding friction.
It’s also smart business. Soccer is growing in the U.S., and Apple’s move could significantly expand MLS’s audience.
By including games in Apple TV rather than keeping them behind a separate paywall, the company is effectively betting that exposure and convenience will convert casual viewers into regular watchers.
And from a subscriber’s perspective, it’s more value for the same monthly fee. That’s a rare win in an era where streaming bundles often feel like nickel-and-dime traps.
The timing is interesting, too. Fans have long complained about subscription confusion. There was a Season Pass for MLS, Apple TV for everything else, and various bundles through mobile carriers.
Consolidating all of this into one subscription simplifies the experience, makes Apple TV feel more essential, and avoids the headaches of multiple logins or extra charges.
Eddy Cue framed it as a way to bring MLS to more fans worldwide, and it’s hard to argue with that. Apple is clearly thinking about sports differently from traditional broadcasters.
The goal is beyond selling a subscription. It’s to create a central hub where live sports, shows, and movies coexist on one platform, with an experience that feels seamless.
For Apple enthusiasts, the takeaway is clear. Apple TV is becoming the platform you go to for live sports without the hassle of multiple subscriptions or confusing tiers.
