the Major League Soccer and apple They have taken a new step in their ambitious partnership: starting in 2026, all American Football matches will be available to subscribers of Apple TV+ At no additional cost. This was announced Thursday on New Yorkindicates the service has been closed MLS Season Passwhich will cease to exist at the end of the 2025 season, cementing an alliance that changed the way the league is viewed forever.
The agreement signed in 2022 is for ten years With a value of about $2.5 billionmade AppleTV+ the exclusive streaming platform for MLS in more than 100 countries. But the real global leap came in 2023, with planet Earth falling Lionel Messi in Inter Miami. His presence dramatically increased subscriptions, attracted record crowds and turned the league into a global phenomenon. Since then, the man from Rosario has become the central image of Apple’s sports strategy, with documentaries and exclusive content within its digital ecosystem.
Starting next season, fans will be able to access all regular season matches, the League Cup, the MLS All-Star Game, the Campeones Cup and the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs from the same app where they watch series, films and documentaries. There will also be studio programming and on-demand content.
“We are thrilled to bring MLS to more fans around the world. Every match, all in one place, along with Apple Originals, is a win for fans,” he noted. Eddie Qsenior vice president of Apple Services. Commissioner Don GarberFor its part, she stressed that this development “makes it easier than ever for fans around the world to see, communicate with, and participate in the game.”
Movement comes A defining moment for North American soccerwith World Cup 2026 On the horizon. Major League Soccer is celebrating its 30th season with record crowds, packed stadiums and the global appeal of figures like Messi and Son Heung-min.
Full integration with AppleTV+ promotes a unique model: all the games, no blocking or restrictions, along with originals, baseball, Formula 1 and other premium content. In that synergy, MLS + Apple + Messi partnership It serves as the engine for football’s growth in the region and a platform that truly looks at the world with global ambition.
He had one last chance to define his legacy.
Messi World Cup: Rise of the Legend will premiere on February 21 pic.twitter.com/zqRUoGeJLs
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) January 18, 2024
In parallel with the announcements related to Apple TV, MLS is evaluating the structural transformation of its competition. The league is reportedly preparing to adopt an official fall-to-spring schedule, aligning itself with major European leagues and breaking up with American football’s traditional summer format. In addition, the leaders will discuss the possibility of implementing a new five-division, single-table system, which would replace the current Eastern Conference and Western Conference system.
If this change is completed, it will represent a revolution in tournament organization and represent another step towards the full internationalization of Major League Soccer.
As we move toward a new phase in the relationship between MLS and Apple, the tournament is also entering its most exciting phase: 2025 Audi MLS Cup semi-finalWhich will be held from 22 to 24 November. Eight teams are still in the race for the title, after skipping the first round in the best three matches, in an edition that confirmed the league’s qualitative competitive and media leap.
in Western ConferenceThe stellar duel will begin Vancouver Whitecaps and LAFCwith international figures such as Son Heung-min and Thomas Müller on the field. On the other hand, the surprise San Diego Clubthe top-seeded and expansion team, will look to make history against Minnesota United. In it thisIt will be the most attractive crossing FC Cincinnati Facing Inter Miamiwho will play Lionel Messi in the conference semi-finals for the first time. next to, Philadelphia Unionwinner of the Fans’ Shield, will host New York City FC In a series with a recent history and a lot at stake.
All tariffs can be viewed on Apple TV and MLS Season Pass, which will broadcast the four matches exclusively to more than a hundred countries, confirming the platform’s weight in the internationalization of American soccer.
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