Major League Soccer (MLS) is set to return for another rollicking season this month as fans in the United States and Canada are waiting with bated breath for the 29th campaign.
With the opening match scheduled on 21 February, it marks the earliest start to a season in the top-flight’s history, while the regular season ends on 19 October.
As always, each team will play 34 matches, including about six against sides from the opposite division. The top-ranking sides from both, Eastern and Western Conferences, will advance into the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs, with the finals on 7 December.
Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami are the bookies’ favourites to lift the top-flight crown this season. Although the Herons only managed to finish second from bottom in the division last season, their season was well into its second half when Messi joined, before his former Barcelona cohorts, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba followed suit.
In December, Miami also signed Luis Suarez, another ex-Barca star, to add further quality to their roster. With such stellar names to call upon, everyone’s banking on them to win the MLS title this year.
Miami are +200 at odds according to BetMGM, followed by Los Angeles FC at +800. Defending champions Columbus Crew, along with FC Cincinnati, are next favourites at +1200.
With more and more marquee players moving to North America, MLS has seen a marked growth in its viewership, with fans from various parts of the world tuning in to catch the league.
Such a meteoric rise in popularity has also seen MLS move up the rankings of sports within the United States too, with an increasing number of locals actively following it. The 2022 season saw 10 million spectators attending the games across the US and Canada.
This has prompted several streaming platforms to broadcast live telecasts of MLS games.
Where to watch MLS games
In August 2022, Apple TV and MLS signed a ten-year partnership for broadcast and streaming rights that would allow the games to be streamed from all across the world on the Apple TV app.
MLS Season Pass, a service officially launched in the 2023 MLS season, allows users to watch every single game of the regular season, as well as the playoffs and the final on its platform. Highlights of every game will also be available to its subscribers, who can watch the entire replays too.
Not only that, but MLS Season Pass users can even stream the League Cup games between MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX sides, which are scheduled to take place from mid-July to mid-August.
Fans in the US who haven’t subscribed to the service can watch all the action live on traditional cable channels such as Fox/FS1 and Fox Deportes, whereas in Canada, TSN have the rights to broadcast all 68 of the regular season matches.
MLS viewers in the United Kingdom can watch all the games with an MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
Since there’s no broadcast of MLS games in India, fans in the country can switch to Apple TV app, available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.
| Country | Streaming Platform |
| U.S. TV channel & stream | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ / FS1/Fox Deportes |
| Canada TV channel & stream | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ / TSN |
| UK TV channel & stream | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ |
| Highlights (US & Canada) | Apple TV |
| Highlights (International) | Apple TV |
How much does a MLS Season Pass cost
The MLS Season Pass is available for $14.99 per month, or $99 per season, although Apple TV+ subscribers can avail the service at a discounted rate of $12.99 per month, or $79 per season.
Indian fans can avail the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV for Rs.1,299 per month or Rs.7,900 per season. Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up at a special price of Rs.1,119 per month or Rs.6,900 per season.
Season ticket holders of MLS teams can avail of the Major League Soccer Season Pass for free. In 2023, T-Mobile customers also got the service for free, but the same hasn’t been announced for 2024 yet.
In more good news for the MLS fans, games on 25 and 26 February can be streamed for free, as well as those on 4 March, even for those who don’t have an MLS Season Pass.
Below are the list of matches that fans can tune into, for free: (all times are Eastern)
24 February 2024
- Columbus Crew vs Atlanta United, 2PM
- LAFC vs Seattle Sounders, 4:30PM
- Charlotte vs New York City, 7:30PM
- Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire, 7:30PM
- DC United vs New England Revolution, 7:30PM
- Orlando City vs CF Montreal, 7:30PM
- Austin FC vs Minnesota United, 8:30PM
- FC Dallas vs San Jose Earthquakes, 8:30PM
- Houston Dynamo vs Kansas City, 8:30PM
- St. Louis vs Real Salt Lake, 8:30PM
- Portland Timbers vs Colorado Rapids, 10:30PM
25 February 2024
- FC Cincinnati vs Toronto FC, 2:30PM
- Nashville SC vs New York Red Bulls, 5PM
- LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami, 8:30PM
Four of these opening weekend fixtures – LAFC vs Seattle Souders, D.C. United vs New England Revolution, and Orlando City vs CF Montreal on Saturday, and FC Cincinnati vs Toronto FC on Sunday – will be available on MLS Season Pass for free, regardless of one’s subscription.
FAQs
1. Where to watch MLS?
All the MLS games are available for viewing on Apple TV. Traditional cable channels such as Fox/FS1 and Fox Deportes will also broadcast the games live. Canadian fans can catch the action live on TSN.
2. How much is Apple TV MLS Pass?
The MLS season pass is available for $14.99 per month, or $99 per season, although Apple TV subscribers can avail the service for $12.99 per month, or $79 per season.
3. Is MLS Pass free?
No, it’s a paid subscription.
4. Can multiple people use MLS Season Pass?
Yes, MLS Season Pass subscribers can share their subscription with up to five family members.
5. Where can I watch MLS games?
Apple TV will broadcast all the MLS games, whereas channels such as FOX/FS1 and Fox Deportes. Indian fans can watch the games on Apple TV since there’s no real-time broadcast of the league in the country.
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