A longstanding complaint regarding Apple’s media rights deal with MLS has finally been addressed. As of Wednesday, users on Android devices can download the Apple TV app from the Google Play Store, granting access to MLS Season Pass for those wishing to watch games on their Android phones or tablets. Though the app is free to download, users still need to subscribe to Apple TV+ to access its content, and MLS fans must purchase an MLS Season Pass subscription to view games.
Importantly, this update allows Android users to watch MLS games that air without the Season Pass paywall, aligning with MLS’s efforts to make its product more accessible to fans. Changes include the introduction of a new Sunday Night Soccer package available to anyone with an Apple TV+ subscription, regardless of whether they have a Season Pass. Furthermore, MLS is offering free Season Pass subscriptions to all T-Mobile customers, echoing a similar promotion from 2023. Therefore, Android users with T-Mobile are particularly fortunate.
The league has also partnered with major pay TV providers, including DirecTV and Comcast, allowing customers to view its games as part of the normal channel guide and purchase the MLS Season Pass directly through their cable or satellite services. Although MLS is grateful for Apple’s move onto the Google Play Store, it likely wishes this transition had occurred sooner.
According to a report by World Soccer Talk, approximately 40% of consumers in the U.S. and 70% globally use Android phones. Given that the Apple-MLS deal is global, this represents a significant number of potential subscribers who have been left out until now. After the league’s shortcomings were brought to light last season, it’s evident that MLS is striving to enhance its availability to fans both domestically and internationally.
