Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass will once again serve as the exclusive global streaming destination for the Leagues Cup, North America’s premier cross-league soccer tournament that kicked off Tuesday and runs through August.
The monthlong competition brings together clubs from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX in what organizers call the first in-season club tournament across all men’s professional sports in North America.
Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass home to 2025 Leagues Cup
The 2025 tournament introduces a revamped format designed to maximize cross-league matchups, with MLS versus Liga MX games exclusively featured throughout Phase One and continuing through the Quarterfinals stage, Apple said. This represents a pretty big change from previous years, ensuring fans get the international club competition they’ve been seeking from the tournament’s inception.
Running through August 31, Leagues Cup 2025 will feature 62 total matches with no ties allowed, maintaining the tournament’s commitment to decisive outcomes. The competition will be played across two distinct phases: Phase One beginning now, followed by knockout rounds culminating in the Leagues Cup Final on August 31.
Enhanced viewing experience for Apple users
Photo: Apple
Apple significantly expanded its Leagues Cup coverage for 2025, welcoming five acclaimed Spanish-language broadcasters to complement its existing English commentary team. Former players Francisco “Kikín” Fonseca, Pável Pardo, Daniel Brailovsky and legendary goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez will join Emmy-nominated host Ana Jurka to provide expert analysis throughout the tournament.
MLS Season Pass subscribers can take advantage of Apple’s advanced viewing features. They include Multiview capabilities on Apple TV 4K devices and iPad that allow fans to watch up to four simultaneous matches. The Catch Up feature ensures viewers who join matches after kickoff can quickly review key moments before jumping into live action.
For Apple TV+ subscribers, 37 Leagues Cup matches come at no additional cost, including all knockout round matches. New seasonal subscribers can access MLS Season Pass for $49 (50% off the regular $99 price), while existing Apple TV+ subscribers pay just $39 for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Star power and championship stakes
Photo: Apple
The tournament carries significant weight beyond regional bragging rights. The top three finishers will receive automatic bids to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. That includes potential to represent North America at the FIFA Club World Cup.
San Diego FC forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano expressed enthusiasm for his team’s debut in the competition, calling it “a perfect opportunity to show what San Diego is made of.” C.F. Monterrey midfielder Sergio Canales, who made his professional debut during a previous Leagues Cup, noted how the arrival of high-profile players in both leagues has elevated the tournament’s profile.
Columbus Crew enters as defending champions after their dramatic 2024 victory over Los Angeles Football Club, scoring two stoppage-time goals to break a 1-1 deadlock. The inaugural 2023 tournament gained international attention when Lionel Messi scored 10 goals in seven matches during his Inter Miami debut, earning Golden Boot and MVP honors while leading his club to the championship.
Apple ecosystem integration
Photo: Apple
Beyond Apple TV, the tournament integrates across Apple’s platform ecosystem. iPhone users can follow real-time stats and standings through the free Apple Sports app, which expanded to Mexico just in time for Leagues Cup. The app provides play-by-play information, team statistics, lineup details and live betting odds, with direct links to watch matches on Apple TV.
Apple Music has curated exclusive warm-up playlists for select matches, including refreshed mixes from Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi and new content from Diego Luna. In addition, Apple Maps offers detailed stadium guides for every MLS venue, highlighting the history and unique features of North American soccer culture landmarks.
Apple News provides a dedicated Leagues Cup hub with the latest stories, scores, and standings, while the new Apple News Sports newsletter delivers personalized tournament updates directly to subscribers’ inboxes.
Complete scheduling information and broadcast details are available at leaguescup.com, while fans can subscribe to MLS Season Pass at apple.co/MLS. Additional information about Apple’s Leagues Cup coverage can be found at https://nr.apple.com/DC6o0f7rs5.
The tournament offers subscribers comprehensive coverage without blackouts across more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
