Apple and Major League Soccer Revise Streaming Deal, Ending Partnership in 2029
SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL - Major League Soccer and Apple are altering their landmark streaming partnership, shortening its original ten-year term by three-and-a-half years. The revised agreement will now conclude in 2029, according to sources familiar with the details, coinciding with planned changes to the MLS league calendar.
Announced in 2022, the deal initially aimed to present all MLS matches on Apple TV from 2023 through 2032. The shift comes as MLS prepares to transition to a new calendar in 2027, mirroring international soccer schedules.
Under the revised financial terms, MLS will receive $200 million for the 2026 season, the final year under the current calendar. A shortened “sprint” campaign in 2027 will yield $107.5 million, followed by $275 million each for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons. This represents a roughly $50 million increase over what MLS would have received through June 2029 under the original agreement.
Apple has also relinquished its option to terminate the deal after the 2027 season.
The changes provide both organizations with increased flexibility, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, possibly driving greater interest in MLS. This will allow MLS to reassess its options with updated viewership data.
The partnership currently delivers MLS content through MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV platform, but recent changes will see all MLS matches offered free to Apple TV subscribers.
