Apple’s MLS Season Pass tallies its three most-watched matches ever this past week

9to5Mac says Apple has announced that it had its three most-watched matches ever on MLS Season Pass in the past week, between July 19-16.

Although Apple did not specifically attribute the growth in viewership to anything in particular, (and I couldn’t find the announcement), 9to5Mac says “the timing is obvious”: last week saw the arrival of football superstar Lionel Messi join Inter Miami, with his MLS debut taking place on Friday, July 21. Messi has played twice so far in the MLS, on Friday against Cruz Azul and last night against Atlanta United, leading his team to victory both times.

MLS Season Pass is now featuring an enhanced production for Inter Miami’s matches during Leagues Cup, including 18 cameras; Steadicam; four super-slow-motion cameras; Skycam; drone coverage; sideline reporters in Spanish and English; a dedicated one-hour pregame show onsite with features, interviews, and expert analysis; and a postgame show to wrap things up. MLS Season Pass can be accessed through the Apple TV app on smart TVs, streaming devices, Apple devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, as well as on the web at tv.apple.com.

Apple Fitness+ is introducing a special new 20-minute HIIT workout with a Latin Grooves playlist to celebrate Messi’s arrival to MLS with Inter Miami CF. The workout is led by Fitness+ trainer Bakari Williams and will feature four moves that are repeated with soccer-themed variations. 

Fans can check out the full MLS Season Pass collection on Apple Music for the official MLS playlist, club playlists, and more.

To keep up with all the happenings throughout the league, fans can find and follow their favorite MLS clubs in Apple News, and automatically sync with the Apple TV app to watch games with MLS Season Pass. Apple News recently introduced a new Sports tab for users to easily follow their favorite teams and leagues; receive stories from hundreds of top publishers; access scores, schedules, and standings for the top professional and college leagues; and watch highlights right in the News app.

Apple TV+ recently announced a new untitled four-part documentary series from SMUGGLER Entertainment. The series features exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Messi and his FIFA World Cup career, culminating in Argentina’s dramatic Qatar 2022 win.

Lionel Messi’s arrival follows the launch of Apple and Major League Soccer’s 10-year partnership that began in early 2023. After the Leagues Cup tournament, Inter Miami will resume its regular season play on Sunday, August 20, against Charlotte FC. For more info about Inter Miami’s schedule, visit www.intermiamicf.com.

ABOUT MLS SEASON PASS

MLS Season Pass, the subscription service from Apple and Major League Soccer on the Apple TV app, is available in more than 100 countries and regions. With an MLS Season Pass subscription, fans can enjoy all MLS and Leagues Cup matches, and hundreds of MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT games in English, Spanish, or French — all with no blackouts (per Apple)— on billions of devices through the Apple TV app on smart TVs, streaming devices, Apple devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, as well as on the web at tv.apple.com.