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How To Watch the 2026 MLS All-Star Game

It's north versus south as the MLS All-Stars take on the Liga MX All-Stars this July. Learn why you'll need Apple TV to watch the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.

The 2026 MLS All-Star Game brings the MLS vs. Liga MX rivalry back to the spotlight on Wednesday, July 29, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. After MLS won last year’s matchup, this year’s event gives both leagues another chance to flex their best players during a busy summer for North American soccer.

The viewing setup is simple, but different from a traditional All-Star broadcast. Apple TV will stream the MLS All-Star Game and Skills Challenge, meaning you won’t find either event on a regular cable channel. Below, I’ll explain how to watch every MLS All-Star Week event, what an Apple TV subscription includes, and which free trial options can help you tune in.

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What channel shows the MLS All-Star Game?

You can watch the 2026 MLS All-Star Game exclusively on Apple TV. The service will present the match with English-, Spanish-, and French-language commentary in over 100 countries and regions.

Pro tip: The Apple TV app is widely available on most streaming devices, including popular platforms like Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Samsung TVs. You can even download it on Android phones and tablets.

2026 MLS All-Star Week TV schedule

MLS All-Star Week begins Monday, July 27, which will include celebrations of soccer, community service initiatives, and player appearances, per the MLS website. Aside from events geared toward the in-person fan, the league is featuring three marquee events again in 2026.

In addition to the main All-Star game event, the Skills Challenge will be one to watch. It changed formats in 2026 and will now have a champion for each of its competitions. The individual challenges are: Shooting, Passing, Goalie Wars, and Crossbar. The event will also unveil the MLS vs. Liga MX Relay Challenge, which will incorporate elements from the other competitions.

Check out the TV schedule below for viewing details.

Event Day Time (ET) Channels
MLS NEXT All-Star Game Monday, July 27 7:30 p.m. MLSsoccer.com, YouTube
MLS All-Star Skills Challenge Tuesday, July 28 7:30 p.m. Apple TV
2026 MLS All-Star Game Wednesday, July 29 8:00 p.m. Apple TV

Data effective as of post date.

Best MLS All-Star Game TV plans

Apple TV holds your exclusive ticket to watch this year’s MLS All-Star Game. While it means the match won’t air on traditional broadcast TV, the service offers unparalleled access and features that elevate the viewing experience. You can stream both the All-Star Game and All-Star Skills Challenge, complete with multiple commentary tracks and playback options.

For those mainly interested in this year’s game, an Apple TV subscription is a convenient choice at $12.99 per month. But the bigger value comes from Apple’s full MLS hub. Not only do you get every regular-season MLS match, but you also get an extensive archive of past All-Star Games. We love reliving those classic MLS East vs. MLS West showdowns, which featured some of the wildest hairstyles ever caught on camera.

Screenshot of the 2023 MLS All-Star Game streaming on Apple TV.
In a world of clutter, we appreciated Apple’s clean and simple 2023 MLS All-Star Game presentation. (Image credit: CableTV.com)
The MLS All-Star show page on Apple TV.
The MLS All-Star show page on Apple TV includes every All-Star Game from 1996 to 2025. The 2026 game has its own show page. (Image credit: CableTV.com)

Author’s verdict: Apple TV is much easier to recommend now that MLS no longer sits behind a separate MLS Season Pass subscription. You still have to pay for Apple TV if you don’t already subscribe, but the value is clearer. One subscription gets you the MLS All-Star Game, Skills Challenge, regular-season MLS matches, Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup, MLS Cup Playoffs, and Apple’s MLS archive. For casual fans, that’s a much better deal than signing up for a full-season soccer add-on just to watch one summer showcase.

Can I watch the MLS All-Star Game for free?

Apple TV offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. So if you’re really wanting to watch all of MLS All-Star weekend starting July 27, you’ll be more than covered.

But if you’re in the market for a new Apple device — say an iPhone, MacBook Air, or Apple Watch — you can redeem a free three months of Apple TV when you buy one.

MLS All-Star Game team rosters

The 2026 MLS All-Star Team features 29 players selected through a multifaceted process. A combination of MLS players, fans, and media members voted on the first 11 roster spots. The All-Star Team head coach, Dean Smith of Charlotte FC, collaborated with the league to choose 16 players, while MLS Commissioner Don Garber handpicked the remaining two spots.

The Liga MX All-Star Team consists of 26 players. They include some participants from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Check out the full rosters for the 2026 MLS and Liga MX All-Star teams.

Player Club
Goalkeepers
Maxime Crépeau Orlando City SC
Matt Freese New York City FC
Brian Schwake Nashville SC
Defenders
Max Arfsten Columbus Crew
Lucas Herrington Colorado Rapids
Richie Laryea Toronto FC
Anthony Markanich Minnesota United FC
Mbekezeli Mbokazi Chicago Fire FC
Steven Moreira Columbus Crew
Daniel Munie San Jose Earthquakes
Andy Najar Nashville SC
Jackson Ragen Seattle Sounders FC
Tim Ream Charlotte FC
Midfielders
Sebastian Berhalter Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Pep Biel Charlotte FC
Yannick Bright Inter Miami CF
Andrés Cubas Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Evander FC Cincinnati
Carles Gil New England Revolution
Zavier Gozo Real Salt Lake
Hany Mukhtar Nashville SC
Thomas Müller Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Ashley Westwood Charlotte FC
Forwards
Anders Dreyer San Diego FC
Guilherme Houston Dynamo FC
Julian Hall Red Bull New York
Son Heung-Min LAFC
Petar Musa FC Dallas
Sam Surridge Nashville SC
Philip Zinckernagel Chicago Fire FC

Data effective as of post date.

Player Club
Goalkeepers
Carlos Acevedo Santos Laguna
Carlos Moreno Pachuca
Defenders
Israel Reyes Club América
Omar Campos Cruz Azul
Willer Ditta Cruz Azul
Luis Gabriel Rey Guadalajara
Jesús Garza Tigres UANL
Jesús Gallardo Toluca FC
Bruno Méndez Toluca FC
Federico Pereira Toluca FC
Nathan Silva Pumas
Midfielders
Erik Lira Cruz Azul
José Paradela Cruz Azul
Carlos Rodríguez Cruz Azul
Javier Ruiz Necaxa
Elías Montiel Pachuca
Iker Fimbres Monterrey
Juan Brunetta Tigres UANL
Fernando Gorriarán Tigres UANL
Franco Romero Toluca FC
Kevin Castañeda Guadalajara
Forwards
Alexei Domínguez Pachuca
Salomón Rondon Pachuca
Robert Morales Pumas UNAM

Data effective as of post date.

How to watch the MLS All-Star Game FAQ

How can I watch the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge?

You can watch the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge on Apple TV. It'll take place on Tuesday, July 28, at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Can I watch the MLS All-Star Game on YouTube?

No, you can't watch the MLS All-Star Game live on YouTube because the match streams exclusively on Apple TV. But you can catch highlights and other content on the official MLS YouTube channel. That said, the MLS NEXT All-Star Game will stream on YouTube and the league's official website.

Will Messi play in the MLS All-Star Game?

Lionel Messi was selected to the 2026 MLS All-Star roster, but he's not expected to play after Argentina's run to the World Cup Final. Inter Miami reportedly plans to give Messi and Rodrigo De Paul additional rest before they return to club action.

Who won the last MLS All-Star Game?

The MLS All-Stars beat the Liga MX All-Stars 3-1 in the 2025 All-Star Game.

Why you should trust us

Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, created this MLS All-Star Game guide after analyzing this season’s schedule, broadcast channels, and streaming options. He’s tracked the event across multiple broadcast eras, watching it evolve from traditional cable windows on ESPN and FS1 to its current home on Apple TV. That hands-on experience allowed him to break down the current viewing setup clearly for fans navigating the league’s shift to streaming.

Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.

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