How to watch Messi and the MLS live in 2024

(Image credit: Simon Bruty / Anychance / Getty Images)

published 20 February 2024

The new Major League Soccer season starts today and you'll be able to watch it all live in the US, UK and anywhere else with access to the Apple TV app.

That's because, like last year, the 2024 MLS season is exclusive to Apple TV and viewable on many different devices – on mobile, TV and even on video games consoles.

Here's everything you need to know about Lionel Messi's second season at Inter Miami, kick off times and so much more.

Where to watch the MLS 2024 season and is it free?

Last year, Apple signed a deal with Major League Soccer for exclusive broadcast rights to all matches. That means you can only watch them live through the Apple TV app.

You will also need to subscribe to the MLS Season Pass, which is priced at £14.99 / $14.99 per month or £99 / $99 for the whole season.

However, as a taster for those to find out what coverage is like and what to expect going forward, Apple will stream four matches for free this coming opening weekend (see below).

All matches stream in 1080p 60fps and with 5.1 surround sound.

What devices is the MLS Season Pass available on?

The MLS Season Pass is available on any device capable of playing the Apple TV app.

That includes Apple TV boxes (4K, HD and 3rd gen), of course, but also Smart TVs from the likes of LG, Samsung, Sony, Philips, Panasonic, HiSense and many more.

You can also watch Apple TV through Roku streaming devices, Fire TV, Android TV (such as the Nvidia Shield TV), and boxes that run Google TV.

Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 offer an Apple TV app too, as well as Xbox One and PS4. And, you can watch the service on Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q in the UK.

Oh, and don't forget mobile: it is a native app on iPhone, iPad and Mac, while Android phone, Windows PC and Chromebook users can watch the service through a web browser.

When does the MLS season start?

The opening match of the 2024 Major League Soccer season will be played between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake at Miami's DRV PNK Stadium.

It will take place later today, Wednesday 21 February 2024. It will kick off at 17:00 PT, 20:00 ET, 01:00 GMT (22 Feb).

As well as Messi, Inter Miami has recently signed his former Barcelona team mate Luis Suarez, which could result in one of the most potent strike forces in the league's history.

The rest of the matches start fully at the weekend, with some being shown for free on Apple TV.

The rest of the opening round matches are as follows:

Saturday 24 February 2024

Columbus Crew vs Atlanta United – 11:00 PT, 14:00 ET, 19:00 GMT
* LAFC vs Seattle Sounders – 13:30 PT, 16:30 ET, 21:30 GMT
* DC United vs New England Revolution – 16:30 PT,19:30 ET, 00:30 GMT (25 Feb)
Charlotte vs New York City– 16:30 PT,19:30 ET, 00:30 GMT (25 Feb)
* Orlando City vs Montréal – 16:30 PT, 19:30 ET, 00:30 GMT (25 Feb)
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire – 16:30 PT, 19:30 ET, 00:30 GMT (25 Feb)
St Louis City vs Real Salt Lake – 17:30 PT, 20:30 ET, 01:30 GMT (25 Feb)
Houston Dynamo vs Sporting KC – 17:30 PT, 20:30 ET, 01:30 GMT (25 Feb)
FC Dallas vs San Jose Earthquakes – 17:30 PT, 20:30 ET, 01:30 GMT (25 Feb)
Austin vs Minnesota – 17:30 PT, 20:30 ET, 01:30 GMT (25 Feb)
Portland Timbers vs Colorado Rapids – 19:30 PT, 22:30 ET, 03:30 GMT (25 Feb)

Sunday 25 February 2024

* Cincinnati vs Toronto – 11:30 PT, 14:30 ET, 19:30 GMT
Nashville vs NY Red Bulls – 14:00 PT, 17:00 ET, 22:00 GMT
LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami – 17:30 PT, 20:30 ET, 01:30 GMT (26 Feb)

* = matches to be shown free on MLS Season Pass.

What else is on the MLS Season Pass?

As well as live matches, MLS Season Pass subscribers can access Inter Miami's pre-season matches.

There are also highlights packages of all MLS games, and an ever-growing library of previous fixtures to watch in their entirety. All matches will also be available to catch up on, if you missed them live.

There is also MLS Countdown and MLS 360 – live build-up and analysis shows that star the channel's pundits. There will also be dedicated Spanish language versions this year.

In terms of features, multiview returns to enable you to watch up to four different matches at once on the same screen. This works on the Apple TV 4K box.

It will also be available on iPad this year, with intuitive touch controls.

It's also worth noting that Apple TV+ will host a couple of documentaries on the career of Lionel Messi – including an episodic look at his first season in the MLS, plus another on his World Cup tournament where he lifted the trophy that had previously eluded him.

You do not need an MLS Season Pass to watch them, but will require a subscription to Apple TV+.

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Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.

Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.