Apple Offering Free One-Month MLS Season Pass Trials to Select Customers

Apple recently kicked off the 2024 MLS Season, and now it’s trying to entice those who have yet to return to the service to sign up for another year of exclusive coverage.

As reported by 9to5Mac, Apple has been sending out offers to select customers in the United States, giving them a free one-month trial. It’s similar to what Apple did last year for the first MLS Season Pass, but this time it’s coming earlier in the season and is available only to returning customers, not new ones.

Since this is a targeted offer, it’s unclear whether Apple is limiting it to the US. The link shared by 9to5Mac, which includes a one-time redemption code specific to whoever received it, has fine print that says it expires on April 6, is valid only for a monthly MLS Season Pass subscription in the United States, and is redeemable by “qualified returning subscribers only.”

Last year’s offer was also available through the entire 2023 MLS Season, which meant you could save it to jump in during the playoff season. This one is a use-it-or-lose-it deal.

Since the promo uses a redemption code, it appears to be by invitation only — meaning you’ll only be able to take advantage of it if you’re “on the list.” Apple is reportedly sending these out via email and push notification, so if you’re interested, it’s worth making sure you have notifications enabled for the TV app and that you check your spam folder to make sure it hasn’t landed there.

As with most free trials, this one will automatically convert to a $14.99 monthly subscription after the free month unless you choose to cancel it. The process is as simple as cancelling any other Apple subscription. So, if you receive the offer and have even a passing interest in Major League Soccer, it’s worth checking out.

However, if you want to stick around for the whole season, you’ll be better off converting that to an annual subscription since Apple charges only $99/month for the entire season, which runs through the MLS Cup final on December 7, 2024. By comparison, an April–December monthly subscription will cost just under $120.

Last year, Apple offered a mid-season price drop in June, reducing the MLS Season Pass to $49 for the second half. It’s unclear if Apple will do that again this year, so we wouldn’t recommend banking on it. However, June is also the crossover point at which the monthly subscription becomes the cheaper option.

Apple’s MLS Season Pass is the result of a 10-year multi-billion-dollar deal that makes Apple the exclusive home of everything to do with Major League Soccer broadcasting. This includes the matches themselves, as well as the MLS 360 live whip-around show, which is free to Apple TV+ subscribers, even if they don’t pay for an MLS Season Pass. Apple TV+ subscribers can also get the MLS Season Pass at a discounted price of $12.99 per month or $79 per year.

While many T-Mobile subscribers had the 2023 MLS Season Pass included in the carrier’s “On Us” offering, that hasn’t returned for the 2024 season. This year, it looks like the only way to get on board will be to subscribe directly with Apple, whether you’re offered the one-month free trial or not.