Major League Soccer, or MLS, is marking its 30th anniversary this year – with the top division of men's football (or soccer, if you prefer) in the US growing in popularity and global recognition.
In addition to Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, the competition has also welcomed some well-known names from Premier League football over the years such as David Beckham, Christian Benteke, Gareth Bale and Thierry Henry.
And now, a new superstar has joined the league – Tottenham Hotspur fan favourite Son Heung-min has just signed for LAFC in what's believed to be a new transfer record for the MLS.
Speaking shortly after the news was confirmed, Son described his new club as one with "big ambitions", adding: "I have come to LA to lift trophies and give everything for this club, this city, and its fans. I cannot wait to get started."
The bulk of the season (aka the 'regular season') is played in two geographically defined leagues, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference.
After that, a post-season playoff tournament takes place between the top nine teams from each Conference, culminating in the showpiece MLS Cup Final game.
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The league's international broadcast reach expanded with a major new rights deal that saw the launch of the MLS Season Pass at the start of the 2023 campaign, as part of a decade-long deal with global streaming partner Apple TV+. Here's how to tune in.
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Sign up for MLS Season Pass with Apple TV
Apple is the primary global rights holder for all MLS coverage. The MLS Season Pass is the only way to watch every league match in a season, including the playoffs.
It carries all matches live or on demand, although some will still be broadcast on selected linear TV rights holders. The 2025 season has seen the introduction of a new flagship broadcast, Sunday Night Soccer, a full live broadcast of one featured game.
UK night owls can catch these in the early hours of the morning, with most broadcasts starting at midnight.
Apple also promises "no blackouts" by location, where TV coverage in a local market is effectively blocked.
Although the FA does not allow live broadcasts of the Premier League and EFL's Saturday 3pm kick-offs, to encourage fans to go and watch their teams in person, this practice is more commonplace with sports events and leagues in the US, including the Indy 500, MLB and NBA.
In the affected local US markets, the block on coverage is usually only lifted when the event sells out or is close to capacity.
How much does the MLS Season Pass cost?
The MLS Season Pass monthly and annual prices vary, depending on where you are in the world and whether or not you're an existing Apple TV+ customer.
It's a completely separate service from Apple TV+ itself, although being a subscriber does get you a discount on the MLS Season Pass. There's more on Apple TV+ and how it works here (and if you're already subscribed, why not check out our pick of the best Apple TV+ movies?)
The price also comes down through the season for annual membership – so if you're joining partway through, you won't have to pay the full subscription price, which sets it apart from some other sports streaming packages.
At the moment, annual subscriptions are half price, but be aware that they auto-renew at full price at the start of the new season.
Related: Apple TV+ content list: Everything available on the platform in the UK
In the UK, the MLS Season Pass costs £12.99/month, or £39 for the remainder of the season if you're an Apple TV+ customer.
If you aren't an Apple TV+ customer, you'll pay £14.99/month or £49 for the remainder of the season.
Customers can use Apple's iCloud Family Sharing function to share their MLS Season Pass with up to five family members.
Is the MLS Season Pass worth it?
In terms of comprehensive coverage and a lack of local blackouts for customers in the US, as mentioned above – yes, it is.
However, as with other similar products such as F1 TV, MLB TV or the NBA League Pass, the MLS Season Pass is really aimed at soccer devotees who want to watch for all or part of a season and enjoy comprehensive, in-depth coverage of all things MLS.
If you're an Apple TV+ subscriber already, but don't know if the MLS is for you, we'd advise you to try out a Sunday Night Soccer game, which you can watch at no extra cost with your existing membership.
A number of games are also made available for Apple TV+ members to watch at no extra cost throughout the season.
Can I watch the Leagues Cup with the MLS Season Pass?
The MLS Season Pass also includes access to coverage of the Leagues Cup, an annual mid-season competition open to all clubs from the MLS and Mexico's top division of men's football, Liga MX. The 2025 competition is taking place right now, in fact.
Other competitions featured in the MLS Season Pass include the MLS Cup Playoffs and Campeones Cup games. Customers can also enjoy selected matches from MLS Next Pro, which sits at the third tier of the US men's soccer pyramid, and youth league MLS Next.
MLS Season Pass subscribers can also enjoy regular Match of the Day-style highlights programming and wrap-up shows in English or Spanish.
The MLS team also offers a programme called MLS 360, described as a "whip round" show in the vein of Soccer Saturday, and it launched a Spanish-language version in 2024 hosted by Tony Cherchi.
Commentary is also available in English or Spanish and, where Canadian teams are in action, in French.
MLS Season Pass free games – is there a free trial?
In 2023, a 30-day free trial of the MLS Season Pass was made available to new and qualified returning subscribers who were happy to at least commit to a monthly subscription plan, had an Apple ID, and a valid payment method on file.
There isn't a free trial running as of August 2025. However, Apple TV+ members can watch the flagship Sunday Night Football broadcast at no extra cost each week, and those of you who aren't Apple TV+ subscribers can sample several games for no charge.
Some review and analysis content is also available for no additional cost, to try and encourage you to take out a subscription.
Interested in talking about football? Visit our dedicated sub-forum
Kate (they/she) is a freelance writer, editor, digital editorial trainer and data technician who first joined Digital Spy as an overnight freelance sub-editor in January 2011, after studying a postgraduate diploma in journalism at Salford University while working part-time as a social researcher.
In July 2013, Kate joined the DS staff team as chief sub-editor and following six years as the site's managing editor, their role expanded to incorporate Hearst UK's entertainment portfolio (including Digital Spy and its sibling titles Best and Inside Soap) between late 2024 and early 2026.
Kate has worked as a writer and editor since 2006, with bylines syndicated across the Hearst network and at organisations including Metro. They started their career as a TV production runner for the BBC and contributed to various music websites, blogs and zines while based in Manchester.
During her time at DS, Kate has previously been a freelance sub-editor and chief sub-editor.
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