It’s survival of the fittest as Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs fight for a place in the 2023 MLS Cup Final. The MLS Playoffs will air on MLS Season Pass and FOX Sports networks starting in October, with the grand finale taking place in December.
This year, the playoffs take on a new format—expanding from 14 to 18 playoff teams. But the adjustment shouldn’t squander the excitement for the U.S. and Canada’s top soccer clubs.
Keep reading to see what specific channels you’ll need to watch the playoffs and how you can tune in for free.
What channels are the MLS Playoffs on?
The 2023 MLS Playoffs will stream on MLS Season Pass, with select broadcasts airing on FOX and FS1. MLS Season Pass features English- and Spanish-language commentary, but Fox Deportes also shows playoff games en Español.
Pro tip: International MLS fans can watch the MLS Playoffs on MLS Season Pass, while select games will also air on TSN and RDS in Canada.
MLS Playoffs schedule
The 2023 MLS regular season ends on Saturday, October 21, with another thrilling Decision Day. From there, playoff action will stretch into December—ending with the 2023 MLS Cup Final on Saturday, December 9.
| Round | Start date | English channels | Spanish channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Round | October 25, 2023 | MLS Season Pass | MLS Season Pass |
| Round One | October 28, 2023 | MLS Season Pass | MLS Season Pass |
| Conference Semifinals | November 25, 2023 | MLS Season Pass | MLS Season Pass |
| Conference Finals | December 3, 2023 | MLS Season Pass | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS Cup Final | December 9, 2023 | MLS Season Pass, FOX | MLS Season Pass, Fox Deportes |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the MLS Playoffs
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV is the best way to watch the 2023 MLS Playoffs. At $14.99 a month, it’s an inexpensive viewing option for anyone with reliable internet. You also get in-depth studio coverage and on-demand access to every game—a great feature if you can’t tune in live.
If you prefer a more comprehensive TV provider, we recommend Hulu + Live TV because it comes with every FOX Sports channel and ESPN+. That’ll get you select MLS playoff games and live access to many other soccer leagues—including the German Bundesliga, La Liga, and the USL Championship.
Which TV providers offer MLS playoff channels?
If you prefer to browse more TV providers for playoff coverage, we outlined some of the most popular ones in the table below.
| Provider | Price | FOX | FS1 | Fox Deportes | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $56.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔† |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔† |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $79.99–$109.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔† |
View plans Read DISH review |
| fuboTV | $74.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔* | ✔ | ✔† |
View plans Read fuboTV review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99–$82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$115.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $25.00/mo. | — | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔* | ✔ | — |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $59.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Vidgo | $69.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔† |
View plans Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available only in select markets.
†Available in Spanish-language plan or separate add-on.
How to watch the MLS Playoffs for free
CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $59.99 (as of 9/6/23 1:30 p.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.
There’s no way to watch the entire MLS Playoffs for free. But some playoff games air on FOX, which is free to access if you live near a local network affiliate. You only need an over-the-air (OTA) antenna that’s strong enough to pick up the channel’s signal. Then, you’ll get every matchup on FOX—including the MLS Cup Final—without paying a monthly subscription.
Of course, the antenna itself isn’t free. But it’s a one-time purchase that will last several seasons and provide live sports year-round—including MLB, NFL, and Premier League games.
We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 because its 60-mile range and included amplifier are ideal for clear channel reception. But you’ll first want to enter your zip code on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool to confirm a FOX affiliate is within range of your home.
If you require an antenna with a wider range, you can visit our Best Antennas for Cord-Cutters page for more antenna recommendations.
Final take
From October to December, the MLS Playoffs will light up soccer stadiums (and perhaps baseball and football stadiums) across North America. You can stream every game on MLS Season Pass, but select games will air on FOX, FS1, and Fox Deportes if you prefer a traditional viewing method.
Beyond MLS Season Pass, Hulu + Live TV is an ideal service for English-language coverage. The live TV streaming service starts at $69.99 a month and carries every national playoff channel, with ESPN+ included for bonus soccer coverage. You’ll even get complete access to other marquee soccer tournaments like the NWSL Playoffs and FIFA Club World Cup.
How to watch the MLS Playoffs FAQ
What channel is the MLS Cup Playoffs on?
The MLS Playoffs stream entirely on MLS Season Pass. But select playoff games also air on FOX Sports channels in the U.S., while TSN and RDS networks show some playoff matchups in Canada.
Where can I stream the MLS Playoffs?
You can stream every MLS playoff game on MLS Season Pass via the Apple TV app. Live TV streaming services that carry FOX and FS1 also provide access to select MLS games.
Does ESPN+ have the MLS Playoffs?
No, ESPN+ doesn’t have live MLS playoff games. Instead, you’ll need an MLS Season Pass subscription to stream the complete MLS Cup Playoffs.
Does Apple TV have the MLS Playoffs?
Yes, you can watch the MLS Playoffs on Apple TV with an MLS Season Pass add-on subscription. Select playoff games may also stream on Apple TV+.
Methodology
Our sports experts examined the best ways to watch the MLS Playoffs by comparing the prices and channel offerings of the most popular TV services. We selected our English- and Spanish-language viewing recommendations based on convenience—focusing on channel availability, pricing, and ease of signing up.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
‡Amazon.com price as of 9/6/23 1:30 p.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
