October 23, 2024
UPDATE
Lionel Messi’s Historic Debut in MLS Cup Playoffs Available to Stream for Free on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV
The Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs commence this Friday on MLS Season Pass, accessible on apple.com, at Apple Store locations globally, and on TikTok.
Lionel Messi will make his much-anticipated MLS Cup Playoffs debut this Friday, October 25, as the playoffs return to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV with a special primetime match. The top-seeded Inter Miami CF will face off against Atlanta United FC at 8:30 p.m. EDT in the Best-of-3 series of Round One.
After joining Inter Miami CF last season and leading the team to secure the Supporters’ Shield and the record for single-season points earlier this month, Messi is on the verge of adding a 47th trophy to his illustrious career.
Fans can watch the full match on Apple TV with numerous options available, including through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, and via the web at tv.apple.com.
Several leading teams—including the reigning MLS Cup and Leagues Cup champions Columbus Crew, and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup winners Los Angeles FC—are competing for the 29th MLS Cup. MLS Season Pass on Apple TV is the exclusive platform where fans can enjoy every playoff match without blackouts, culminating in the MLS Cup final on December 7.
“We are excited to offer Friday’s match free to fans around the world on MLS Season Pass to celebrate an incredible season and Messi’s inaugural appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “This historic moment fills us with enthusiasm, and we are pleased to provide viewers with so many ways to engage.”
“Our partnership with Apple has uniquely elevated MLS’s presence among global audiences, and making this opening match accessible at no cost highlights our dedication to connecting with fans,” stated Don Garber, MLS Commissioner. “The upcoming Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs promise to be captivating from start to finish, and we’re thrilled to kick it off on Apple TV with this clash of two exceptional clubs featuring some of soccer’s biggest stars.”
“The MLS Cup Playoffs have the potential to change history, considering Inter Miami’s triumph with the Supporters’ Shield, the record for most points in a season, and their pursuit of the MLS Cup,” noted Taylor Twellman, lead analyst for MLS Season Pass. “The attention on these playoffs will be unprecedented, especially as Messi continues to solidify his legacy. Every team will be eager to dethrone him, making it thrilling to watch it all unfold.”
“After a thrilling 38-match regular season, we are entering the most exciting time of the year,” said Sammy Sadovnik, Spanish-language play-by-play announcer for MLS Season Pass. “Miami’s fate will depend on their ability to maintain their regular-season performance and the contributions of Leo Messi, the world’s best player.”
More Viewing Options
Aside from being freely available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, Friday night’s match will also stream live on apple.com and at Apple Store locations around the globe, including Apple Fifth Avenue in New York City, Apple Union Square in San Francisco, and Apple The Grove in Los Angeles, as well as other locations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Korea, and Mexico.
Fans on TikTok can catch a special “Player Spotlight: Messi” presentation of Friday’s match, focusing on Messi’s performance on the field. This stream will be available on the @MLS TikTok profile and will also be simulcast on the @InterMiamiCF TikTok profile, starting five minutes before kickoff. This marks the first instance where TikTok will stream an entire live soccer match with a focus on a single player. Fans can register on TikTok to view this live event.
The match will also be available at no additional cost to all DIRECTV residential satellite customers on channel 622, as well as to all DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS customers on channel 9475.
Round One Best-of-3 Series: Game One Schedule
Friday, October 25
Inter Miami CF vs. Atlanta United FC
8:30 p.m. EDT
Saturday, October 26
LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids
11 p.m. EDT
Sunday, October 27
Orlando City SC vs. Charlotte FC
7:30 p.m. EDT
LAFC vs. TBD (winner of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Portland Timbers wild card match)
9:45 p.m. EDT
Monday, October 28
FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC
6:45 p.m. EDT
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC
9 p.m. EDT
Tuesday, October 29
Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls
6:45 p.m. EDT
Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC
9 p.m. EDT
How to Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
MLS Season Pass will feature every postseason match, including the MLS Cup final presented by Audi. It is accessible through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, and on the web at tv.apple.com. Moreover, fans can use the Apple Vision Pro to enjoy MLS Season Pass games in immersive environments while experiencing Spatial Audio for a richer viewing experience.
Fans in over 100 countries can subscribe to MLS Season Pass for $9.99 for the remaining season. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers can access MLS Season Pass for free for the rest of the 2024 season. For more details and to subscribe, please visit apple.co/_MLS_.
Stay Updated with the MLS Cup Playoffs Using the Apple Sports App
The free Apple Sports app for iPhone is the ideal way for fans to keep track of scores, stats, standings, and their favorite teams throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs.1 Users can easily browse scores, upcoming games, play-by-play details, team statistics, lineup information, live betting odds, and can watch matches on MLS Season Pass using the Apple TV app.2 The Apple Sports app also syncs with user-selected favorites in the My Sports experience, including within Apple TV and Apple News. With iOS 18 and watchOS 11, the Apple Sports app now offers Live Activities for all teams and leagues in the app, providing live scores and play-by-play updates right on the user’s iPhone and Apple Watch Lock Screens.3
- Available in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.
- A subscription is required.
- Live Activities require iOS 18 and watchOS 11 or later.
Press Contacts
Sam Citron
Apple
citron@apple.com
Hayden Zelson
Apple
h_zelson@apple.com
Apple Media Helpline
media.help@apple.com