Apple TV Sports: F1, MLS, MLB, and More

Apple TV has officially graduated from a promising rookie to a serious contender. After dropping the “+” from its name late last year, the service aggressively expanded its live sports lineup. While it still lacks the sheer volume of rivals like ESPN Select and Peacock, Apple TV has become a powerhouse for specific fanbases. Thanks to exclusive U.S. Formula 1 rights and the full integration of Major League Soccer, it’s now a rising force in the sports streaming arena.

In this comprehensive guide, I dissect the strengths and weaknesses of Apple TV’s sports coverage. I also provide insights on how to enhance your Apple TV experience with channel add-ons.

TL;DR: Apple TV is still building its sports portfolio. But it’s now a must-have service if you’re an F1 fanatic, an MLS supporter, or part of the MLB faithful. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Jump to:

• Sports on Apple TV
• Apple TV plans and prices
• Apple TV sports channels

How to watch sports on Apple TV

Apple TV is available through the Apple TV app and website. To watch live sports, simply log in with your Apple ID, click the Search tab, and browse for Formula 1, Major League Baseball, or Major League Soccer.

Starting this season, you no longer need a separate Season Pass for soccer. All live MLS matches—including the playoffs and Leagues Cup—are now included in your standard Apple TV subscription. The same goes for F1, as every practice, qualifying session, and Grand Prix is available to all subscribers at no extra cost.

Sports on Apple TV

Apple TV has always mastered the “quality” game, and now it’s starting to up its “quantity” game. It now offers a robust schedule of live events year-round. Here are the major leagues and exclusive sports content you can find on the platform.

Live coverage

• Friday Night Baseball: Two marquee MLB games every Friday.
• Formula 1: Exclusive live coverage of every race weekend.
• MLS: Every match, every club, no blackouts.

On-demand content

• “The Dynasty: New England Patriots”
• “Messi Meets America”
• “Real Madrid: Until the End”
• “F1: The Movie”
• “Stephen Curry: Underrated”
• “Stick”
• “Swagger”
• “Ted Lasso”

Apple TV plans and prices

The only Apple TV plan costs $12.99/mo. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t offer a cheaper, ad-based tier like other streaming services. But I can’t help but think a plan like that will arrive someday.

On the bright side, this single tier gives you everything: Friday Night Baseball, the entire Formula 1 season, and every MLS match. There are no hidden fees or MLS Season Pass upsells anymore—one price gets you the whole track and the whole pitch.

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Apple TV sports channels

The Apple TV app features a hub of standalone subscriptions called “channels.” These allow you to stream content from other services directly within the Apple ecosystem, though only a couple offer live and on-demand sports.

I generally advise fans to subscribe directly through a service’s own website to keep billing simple and portable. But the Apple TV channels integration is undeniably slick. If you prefer a unified experience, subscribing through Apple offers the most convenient viewing option.

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Is Apple TV worth it for sports fans?

If you are a fan of Formula 1 or Major League Soccer, an Apple TV subscription is mandatory. The consolidation of these rights into a single $12.99/mo. plan makes it one of the best values in streaming sports, especially compared to the fragmented and expensive TV packages of other leagues.

Beyond its live sports lineup, Apple TV benefits from having a quality library of on-demand movies and TV series. Streaming some live sports alongside hit shows like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Severance, and Ted Lasso may be tempting for some. So, I recommend seeing things for yourself with an Apple TV free trial.

Apple TV sports FAQ