Minnesota United vs. San Jose Earthquakes is the kind of matchup that sends thousands of fans to Google asking the same question: what channel is the game on? The answer surprises people who grew up flipping to a regional sports network, because MLS does not work that way anymore. Since 2023, virtually every MLS match — every Minnesota United game, every Earthquakes game, and everyone else's — lives in one place: the Apple TV app.
The fastest answer
Every MLS regular-season match and every playoff game streams through the Apple TV app, with no local blackouts. You do not need cable, and you do not need to live in either team's market. Download the Apple TV app on your phone, smart TV, or streaming device, subscribe, and search for the match.
For the 2026 season, Apple announced that MLS coverage is included with the standard Apple TV subscription (about $12.99/month) rather than sold only as a separate MLS Season Pass add-on, which is what the league used in earlier seasons. Apple has adjusted the packaging and pricing of its MLS deal more than once, so confirm the current setup on Apple's official MLS page before you subscribe.
A rotating handful of matches each week are also free in the Apple TV app, and select marquee matches air nationally on Fox and FS1. Details on both below.
Every way to watch MLS: quick comparison
| Option | What you get | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV subscription | Every MLS match, no blackouts, plus Apple's shows and movies | ~$12.99/month |
| Free matches in the Apple TV app | A rotating selection of matches each week | Free |
| Fox (over the air) | Select national marquee matches | Free with a TV antenna |
| FS1 via cable or live-TV streaming | Additional national matches | Included with most pay-TV packages |
| Live-TV streaming (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo) | The Fox and FS1 windows plus other sports | ~$80–$90/month |
What it costs in 2026
Apple TV subscription: roughly $12.99/month, with a discounted annual plan and inclusion in the Apple One bundle (which starts around $19.95/month and adds Apple Music, iCloud storage, and more). This is the only subscription that gets you the full league — all 30 clubs, all season long.
MLS Season Pass (legacy pricing): in prior seasons this was a standalone product at about $14.99/month or $99 for the full season, with a discount for Apple TV+ subscribers. If you still see Season Pass offered at checkout, compare it against the base Apple TV subscription and pick whichever is cheaper for how much of the season is left.
Fox and FS1 matches: the Fox broadcast network is free with an antenna. FS1 requires a pay-TV package — the cheapest routes are usually a live-TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo, all in the $80–$90/month range. Those services make sense only if you also want other sports and channels; nobody should pay $85/month just for a few MLS windows.
Free and cheapest ways to watch
If you want to spend as little as possible, you have real options:
- Free matches in the Apple TV app. Every week, a selection of matches streams free — no subscription required. Open the app's MLS section and look for matches marked free.
- Free trials and device promos. Apple TV typically offers a free trial for new subscribers, and buying a new Apple device often comes with three free months. One trial can cover several weeks of the season.
- Carrier perks. T-Mobile has offered its customers free MLS streaming as a promotional perk in past seasons (via the T-Life/T-Mobile Tuesdays app). Availability changes year to year, so check your carrier's current promos before paying.
- An antenna for Fox matches. A one-time $25–$40 antenna pulls in your local Fox station in most US cities, which carries select national MLS matches plus NFL and college football in the fall.
- Free highlights. Full match highlights post shortly after the final whistle on the MLS YouTube channel and inside the Apple TV app at no cost.
Why MLS is the easiest US league to stream
If you have ever fought regional blackout rules trying to watch an MLB or NBA team, MLS is refreshingly simple. There are no regional sports networks and no in-market blackouts. A Minnesota United fan living in San Francisco and an Earthquakes fan living in St. Paul open the same app and watch the same feed. Every match also offers English and Spanish commentary, and the app carries whip-around shows on busy match nights so you can follow the whole league at once.
Watching Minnesota United vs. San Jose specifically
Any meeting between the Loons and the Quakes — this week's or a future one — streams in the Apple TV app like every other league match, typically in the Saturday or Wednesday evening windows. Kickoff times are listed in the app and on both clubs' official sites. If you just want audio, both clubs stream local radio calls free through their team websites and apps.
2026 season notes (time-sensitive)
This section covers details specific to 2026 that may not apply later:
- The Apple packaging change. The shift from a standalone MLS Season Pass to inclusion with the main Apple TV subscription was announced ahead of the 2026 season. If you subscribed to Season Pass previously, check your Apple account to see how your plan carried over.
- The World Cup break. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the MLS schedule paused during the tournament and resumed afterward, pushing league matches deeper into the calendar than usual. Check the official MLS schedule for updated playoff dates.
- Fox's national windows. Fox's English-language linear deal runs through 2026; where those matches land in future seasons may change, so treat the Apple TV app as the permanent home and Fox as a bonus.
FAQ
Do I need an Apple device to watch MLS? No. The Apple TV app runs on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, most smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio), PlayStation, Xbox, and in any browser at tv.apple.com. An Apple ID is free to create.
Are the MLS playoffs and MLS Cup included? Yes. Every playoff match streams in the Apple TV app under the same subscription, and select matches — usually including MLS Cup — also air on Fox, which you can get free with an antenna.
Can I watch out-of-market teams? Yes — that is the whole point of the Apple deal. There are no blackouts, so you can follow any club from anywhere in the United States.