How To Watch the 2026 Major League Soccer Season
All MLS games are on Apple TV, but you can still catch some matchups on FOX and FS1. Score the best viewing options with CableTV.com's complete MLS viewing guide.
The 2026 Major League Soccer season hits the pitch on Saturday, February 21, kicking off the league’s 31st season. Along with the usual heated rivalries and nostalgic showdowns, this year’s schedule promises to be one of the most exciting campaigns in MLS history as the league builds toward the massive 2026 World Cup summer break.
But here’s the biggest news for viewers: The standalone MLS Season Pass add-on is officially no more. To watch MLS action in 2026, all you need is a standard Apple TV subscription, which now streams every single game of the season. FOX Sports channels will still air a select number of matches, but traditional cable networks remain largely out of the rotation.
Before you bicycle-kick your remote out the window trying to figure out your viewing lineup, I’ve outlined everything you need to know about watching MLS games this season. Keep scrolling for all the details, including the latest Apple TV streaming setup, channel listings, and important dates.
What channels and streaming apps show MLS games?
You can stream every MLS game this season with a standard Apple TV subscription. Meanwhile, traditional channels like FOX, FS1, and Fox Deportes still air select games in the U.S.
Here’s a list of MLS channels with this year’s regular-season game counts for easy comparison:
- Apple TV (all games)
- FOX (15 games)
- FS1 (19 games)
- Fox Deportes (34 games en Español)
In Canada, TSN and RDS will broadcast select regular-season and playoff games, including the MLS Cup Final. The two channels will also air Leagues Cup matches from the Group Stage and Round of 32.
2026 MLS TV schedule
The 2026 MLS regular season stretches from Opening Weekend on February 21 to Decision Day on November 7. Because the FIFA World Cup takes place across North America this summer, the league will take a historic seven-week pause right in the middle of the season from May 25 through July 16.
Following the World Cup break, the schedule heats up with the MLS All-Star Game in late July, the month-long Leagues Cup tournament in August, and an uninterrupted sprint through the MLS Playoffs starting in mid-November. For a full list of fixtures, visit the official MLS Schedule & Scores page; otherwise, check out the biggest dates below.
Key 2026 MLS dates and channels
| Event | Start date | English channels | Spanish channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLS Is Back (Opening Weekend) | Feb. 21, 2026 | Apple TV, FOX | Apple TV, Fox Deportes |
| MLS All-Star Game | July 29, 2026 | Apple TV | Apple TV |
| Leagues Cup | Aug. 4, 2026 | Apple TV, FS1 | Apple TV, UniMás, Univision, TUDN |
| Leagues Cup Final | Sept. 6, 2026 | Apple TV | Apple TV, UniMás, TUDN |
| MLS Decision Day | Nov. 7, 2026 | Apple TV | Apple TV |
| MLS Playoffs | Mid-Nov. 2026 | Apple TV, FOX, FS1 | Apple TV, Fox Deportes |
| MLS Cup Final | Dec. 2026 | Apple TV, FOX | Apple TV, Fox Deportes |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plan for watching MLS games
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Every MLS game
- English- and Spanish-language commentary
- Quality Apple TV originals
Cons
- No multiview across all devices
- Device limitations
Apple TV offers the undisputed best plan for watching MLS games this season. In a massive win for fans, the league and Apple have scrapped the expensive MLS Season Pass add-on. Now, a standard $12.99-a-month Apple TV subscription gets you every match from every team without any blackout restrictions.
Going this route levels up your game day with access to Apple Originals like “Ted Lasso” and “Severance,” exclusive Friday Night Baseball, and live Formula 1 races. On the pitch, every MLS broadcast features English- and Spanish-language commentary, plus local radio feeds. The app also delivers full-match replays, a live whip-around show similar to NFL RedZone, and a multiview feature that lets Apple TV 4K users stream up to four matches simultaneously.
Of course, streaming requires a strong internet connection. That’s all fine and dandy for cord-cutters, but if you rely heavily on traditional cable, keep reading to see your broadcast options.
Looking to watch MLS without Apple TV?
Outside of Apple TV, you can only watch MLS games through TV services that offer FOX, FS1, and Fox Deportes. Other Spanish-language channels like UniMás, Univision, and TUDN air Leagues Cup matches featuring MLS clubs but no actual MLS regular-season or playoff games.
Most lower-tier TV plans feature FOX and FS1 for this basic coverage, so choosing a way to tune in comes down to personal preference. Our Best TV Providers page outlines many fantastic cable, satellite, and live TV streaming options. But if you decide to go the cable route, you’ll want to verify what providers are available in your area.
Pro tip: If you’re a DIRECTV user, you can now add or link an Apple TV subscription directly to your DIRECTV bill to manage all your sports packages in one place. Once activated, launch the Apple TV app from channel 199 or your device’s Apps tab to start streaming every MLS match.
How to watch MLS games for free
There are two great ways to watch free MLS games this season: streaming them on the Apple TV app or catching national broadcasts over the air. Occasionally, Apple streams select matches for free to encourage sign-ups, so it is worth downloading the Apple TV app on your favorite streaming device, even if you don’t subscribe to the full $12.99-a-month plan.
For the traditional TV route, a digital antenna will let you catch all the games airing locally on FOX. But I recommend entering your zip code into Antennas Direct’s Transmitter Locator to make sure a FOX affiliate is within range of your home. If the range is within 70 miles, head over to our Best Antennas for Cord-Cutters guide to browse our favorite picks.
As a bonus, that same antenna could help you pick up other local channels like ABC, CBS, and NBC for even more professional soccer coverage. That’s how I watch occasional live matchups from the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and NWSL.
How to watch Major League Soccer FAQ
Which streaming service has MLS?
Apple TV is the primary home for MLS, streaming every single match of the season. You can also watch a select number of nationally broadcast MLS games with any live TV streaming service that carries FOX and FS1, such as Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
How do I watch full MLS match replays on Apple TV?
Apple TV offers full on-demand replays of every match, but the app's interface often defaults to a short recap. To watch the entire game, go to the specific match page and select the "Full Replay" button. If you don't see that option, scroll all the way down to the "How to Watch" section at the bottom and select the full broadcast.
Are MLS preseason games on TV?
No, most MLS preseason games don't air on TV because they typically happen behind closed doors. Occasionally, teams participate in winter tournaments that are streamed on their websites or on Apple TV.
What happened to MLS Direct Kick and regional sports networks?
Regional sports networks (RSNs) no longer broadcast Major League Soccer games. When the league signed its landmark streaming deal with Apple, it eliminated regional blackouts entirely. As a result, legacy out-of-market TV packages like MLS Direct Kick and MLS Live on ESPN+ were discontinued. Today, the only way to get total coverage is through a standard Apple TV subscription.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, has followed Major League Soccer for more than a decade. Having extensively used Apple TV to stream matches over the last few seasons—and regularly catching traditional broadcasts on FOX—Taylor is fully immersed in the MLS viewing experience. When updating this guide, he based his viewing recommendations on pricing, provider accessibility, and overall ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
