Apple is eliminating the standalone MLS Season Pass and integrating all Major League Soccer content directly into its Apple TV+ streaming service starting in 2026. Soccer fans worldwide will soon access every MLS game at no additional cost beyond the base subscription.
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Apple TV+ MLS Integration: What’s Changing
| Current Model (2025) | New Model (2026 Onwards) |
|---|---|
| MLS Season Pass: ₹1,299/month or ₹7,900/season | Included with Apple TV+ at ₹99/month |
| Separate subscription required | No extra payment needed |
| Available globally | Available in 100+ countries |
| Apple TV+ subscribers get discount | All subscribers get full access |
The shift means MLS content becomes part of Apple TV+’s standard offering, joining Formula 1 races which Apple recently secured US broadcast rights for. The strategy aims to boost subscriber numbers and expand MLS’s global fanbase ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
What Indian Fans Need to Know
Currently, Indian soccer enthusiasts pay ₹1,299 monthly or ₹7,900 per season for MLS Season Pass (or ₹1,199/₹6,900 with Apple TV+ subscription). From 2026, simply subscribing to Apple TV+ at ₹99 per month grants access to all MLS matches with zero blackouts—a massive savings of approximately ₹1,200 monthly.
The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs already offered a preview of this model, streaming free for all Apple TV+ subscribers without requiring the Season Pass. This effectively tested the integrated approach before the full 2026 rollout.
Why Apple Made This Move
The standalone MLS Season Pass struggled to attract subscribers despite featuring global superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s historic matches. Sources suggest underwhelming subscription numbers prompted the pivot to bundling MLS content with the core Apple TV+ service.
Apple paid roughly $2.5 billion over 10 years for exclusive MLS streaming rights—a historic first for a major professional sports league. Making content more accessible aligns with Apple’s broader strategy of using sports programming to differentiate Apple TV+ from Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
Season ticket holders for MLS clubs will also receive complimentary Apple TV+ subscriptions bundled with their 2026 tickets, ensuring die-hard fans maintain easy access.
What’s Included
Every live MLS regular-season match, complete Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, Leagues Cup matches, MLS All-Star games, and select MLS NEXT tournaments stream on Apple TV+. Fans get enhanced studio shows like MLS 360 (whip-around coverage), MLS Countdown, and MLS Wrap-Up in both English and Spanish.
Features include multi-angle replays, pitch-side cameras, condensed match recaps, and the Multiview option on Apple TV 4K letting fans watch up to four simultaneous matches—perfect for Decision Day or playoff weekends.
For subscription details and match schedules, visit the official Apple TV+ website. Stay updated on sports streaming news at TechnoSports.
FAQs
When does MLS become free on Apple TV+ in India?
Starting with the 2026 MLS season—all matches will be included with the standard ₹99/month Apple TV+ subscription.
Will the MLS Season Pass still exist in 2026?
No, Apple is eliminating the separate MLS Season Pass after the 2025 season ends, integrating all content into Apple TV+.
