As Major League Soccer (MLS) resumes following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, Apple is introducing a suite of features across its platforms to enrich the fan experience. These enhancements span Apple TV, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, and the Apple Sports app, offering fans a comprehensive and immersive engagement with the sport.
MLS Returns to Apple TV
Apple TV is set to broadcast the upcoming MLS matches, providing fans with live coverage of the games. The schedule includes:
- Thursday, July 16:
- CF Montréal vs. Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 8:30 p.m. ET
- St. Louis CITY SC vs. Sporting Kansas City at 8:30 p.m. ET
- Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers at 10:30 p.m. ET
- Friday, July 17:
- Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United FC at 8:10 p.m. ET
- LA Galaxy vs. Los Angeles Football Club at 10:15 p.m. ET
These matches are accessible to Apple TV subscribers in over 100 countries and regions, ensuring a global audience can partake in the excitement of MLS.
Apple Maps Introduces Matchday Guides
To assist fans in navigating game days, Apple Maps has launched dedicated Matchday Guides. These guides, curated by MLS clubs and players, offer recommendations for local restaurants to watch the games, explore city highlights, and provide detailed information about stadiums. This feature aims to enhance the matchday experience by offering personalized and localized content to fans.
Exclusive Playlists on Apple Music
Apple Music is celebrating the return of MLS with exclusive playlists crafted by prominent players such as Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna and FC Cincinnati’s Evander da Silva Ferreira. Additionally, team-themed playlists are available for clubs including the New York Red Bulls, New York City FC, and Orlando City SC. These playlists offer fans a musical journey that resonates with their favorite teams and players.
Apple Fitness+ Features Soccer Legend
Apple Fitness+ subscribers can look forward to a new Time to Walk episode featuring German soccer legend Thomas Müller. In this episode, Müller reflects on his journey to success and discusses the challenges he embraced along the way. This addition provides fans with an intimate glimpse into the mindset and experiences of a celebrated athlete.
Comprehensive Coverage via Apple Sports App
The Apple Sports app ensures fans stay updated with live scores, standings, play-by-play updates, lineup formations, and team statistics. This comprehensive coverage allows fans to follow the league closely and stay informed about their favorite teams and players.
In conjunction with these digital enhancements, adidas is hosting a two-day celebration at the adidas Home of Soccer in Brooklyn, New York, on July 16 and 17. The event features watch parties, appearances by MLS players, an MLS jersey showcase, and additional fan experiences, further amplifying the excitement surrounding the league’s return.
Apple’s multifaceted approach to celebrating the return of MLS underscores its commitment to providing fans with an enriched and immersive experience. By integrating MLS content across its platforms, Apple not only enhances fan engagement but also sets a precedent for how technology can be leveraged to elevate sports entertainment. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these features evolve and how fans respond to this integrated approach.
