Back to the Pitch: MLS Returns to Apple TV After World Cup Hiatus
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Apple’s Major League Soccer schedule has been on hiatus for the past month as all eyes have been focused on the FIFA World Cup, but with that now drawing to a close, the company announced this week that MLS is back for all Apple TV subscribers.
Of course, it wasn’t just MLS on Apple TV; the games themselves were off the schedule as 45 MLS players — a new record — participated in the 2026 World Cup, representing 22 clubs and 17 countries.
They haven’t all returned to their clubs just yet, but enough are back home for the schedule to resume with four games this evening: CF Montréal vs. Toronto FC at Montreal’s Stade Saputo, Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Soldier Field, St. Louis City SC vs. Sporting Kansas City at Energizer Park, and Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers at Lumen Field.
This will continue tomorrow with Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United FC at Geodis Park and LA Galaxy vs. Los Angeles Football Club at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Apple’s newsroom announcement goes on to highlight the MLS players who helped the US get as far ahead as it did in the World Cup:
Among them are eight players who represented the United States, including Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who helped the U.S. achieve its best group-stage finish at the World Cup. The group also includes Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira, who started every match for Cape Verde as the Blue Sharks made an unforgettable run to the round of 32 in the nation’s first-ever World Cup, and nine Canadian internationals, led by Orlando City SC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who played every minute of Canada’s historic tournament as the nation earned its first World Cup victory and advanced to the knockout stage for the first time.
Apple
Apple also gave kudos to Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi, who has effectively become the poster boy for MLS, noting that he “further cemented his legacy by becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer” while captaining Argentina as it heads toward the finals — and the very real possibility of walking away with a second consecutive World Cup title.
The post-World Cup shifting sands have also added some exciting new players to the MLS roster, including France’s Antoine Griezmann, a 2018 World Cup champion who will be joining Orlando City SC, Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn, who’s joined the San Jose Earthquakes, and Polish striker and global soccer icon Robert Lewandowski coming to the Chicago Fire. In fact, fans won’t have to wait to see them in action; Lewandowski faces his longtime former Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Müller tonight when Chicago hosts Vancouver at Soldier Field.
Apple’s MLS Synergy Continues
To celebrate the return of regular season MLS play, Apple is also releasing new MLS tie-in content across several of its other services:
- German soccer legend and Vancouver Whitecaps star Thomas Müller will be hosting a new Time to Walk workout, in which he reflects on his journey of hard work in the trenches that led to his career taking off, and the challenges he’s eagerly looking forward to.
- Apple Music will offer exclusive curated selections from both clubs and individual players, including a new Warm-Up Playlist for Real Salt Lake star Diego Luna. More exclusive music content will also be coming later in the season, including playlists from Inter Miami’s Dayne St. Clair and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter.
- Apple Maps has added new Matchday Guides to help find stadium information and recommendations for local restaurants and other attractions to visit in cities where games are being held.
While it’s not directly related to Apple’s other services, the company has also announced that Adidas is hosting a two-day celebration at the Adidas Home of Soccer in Brooklyn, New York, today and tomorrow, with watch parties, appearances by MLS players, an MLS jersey showcase, and additional fan experiences.
MLS is now part of Apple TV, allowing any subscriber in more than 100 countries and regions to watch every MLS match at no additional cost beyond the regular $12.99 monthly fee. There are no blackouts, along with comprehensive coverage and analysis, exclusive content, and matches that go beyond the regular season.
