Apple TV Treats Subscribers to MLS Playoffs for Free — Matches, Schedule & Everything You Need to Know

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Raymond McCain

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The 2025 MLS Playoffs kickoff in a couple of days and this year, Apple TV is providing unprecedent access to subscribers. First reported by Sports Business Journal, Apple TV and Major League Soccer have just removed a paywall for the postseason. That’s right, every MLS Cup Playoff match this year will be available at no extra cost to anyone with a standard Apple TV subscriber.

The latest moves highlights the league and the streamers mission to expand the playoff audience as you no longer need to buy the separate MLS Season Pass to tune in to postseason play. By building Apple’s recent strategy of making more MLS content available through its main entertainment service, this is another positive for subscribers after the recently renamed streamer subtracted the “+” out of its name.

Cord cutters searching for how to watch the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, will be happy to know you can watch on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and other compatible devices for free with an Apple TV subscription. Beyond Apple devices, this is the first season that MLS games on the Apple TV app are available to watch on Android devices.

After free 7-day trial, a monthly subscription is just $12.99 per month, but if you recently purchased an Apple device, you enjoy the streamer for 3 months free. Additionally, you get Apple TV for one-month free with an Apple One subscription.

Try Apple TV for Free Today

What to Know About the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs

Every playoff match will air on MLS Season Pass and be made free to Apple TV subscribers. Select playoff games (including MLS Cup) will also air on Fox Sports in the U.S. (FOX, FS1, and Fox Deportes). You can also stream the FOX Sports broadcast on FOX One, Sling TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and DIRECTV.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.

2025 MLS Cup Playoffs At A Glance

  • When playoffs start: Wild Card matches begin Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025; Round One (best-of-3) starts Friday, Oct. 24, 2025; MLS Cup is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2025.
  • MLS Playoffs Format: The postseason opens with Wild Card matches (8 vs. 9 in each conference), moves to a best-of-3 Round One (home-away-home), then shifts to single-elimination for the later rounds.
  • Notable first-round matchups: (1) Philadelphia Union waits for the Wild Card winner; Inter Miami (featuring Lionel Messi) opens Round One vs. Nashville; LAFC face Son Heung-Min’s squad; Vancouver Whitecaps (with Thomas Müller) meet FC Dallas in Round One pairings.

2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule, Matchups & More

Wild Card Matches – Wednesday, October 22

  • No. 8 Chicago Fire FC vs. No. 9 Orlando City SC
  • No. 8 Portland Timbers vs. No. 9 Real Salt Lake

Round One Matchups (Best-of-3 Series)

  • Eastern Conference
    • No. 1 Philadelphia Union vs. No. 8 Chicago Fire FC / No. 9 Orlando City SC
    • No. 2 FC Cincinnati vs. No. 7 Columbus Crew
    • No. 3 Inter Miami CF vs. No. 6 Nashville SC
    • No. 4 Charlotte FC vs. No. 5 New York City FC
  • Western Conference
    • No. 1 San Diego FC vs. No. 8 Portland Timbers / No. 9 Real Salt Lake
    • No. 2 Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. No. 7 FC Dallas
    • No. 3 LAFC vs. No. 6 Austin FC
    • No. 4 Minnesota United FC vs. No. 5 Seattle Sounders FC

When to Watch MLS Round One

Friday, October 24

  • Inter Miami CF vs. Nashville SC (Chase Stadium)

Sunday, October 26

  • Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire FC / Orlando City SC (Subaru Park)
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. FC Dallas (BC Place)
  • San Diego FC vs. Portland Timbers / Real Salt Lake (Snapdragon Stadium)

Monday, October 27

  • FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew (TQL Stadium)
  • Minnesota United FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC (Allianz Field)

Tuesday, October 28

  • Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC (Bank of America Stadium)

Wednesday, October 29

Conference Semifinals

  • Saturday, November 22 – Sunday, November 23

Conference Finals

  • Saturday, November 29 – Sunday, November 30

2025 MLS Cup Final

  • Saturday, December 6
    • Hosted by the team with the better regular-season record
    • Broadcast: MLS Season Pass, Apple TV and select coverage on FOX Sports

Don’t forget, if you already subscribe to Apple TV, you’ve just gained free access to the entire MLS postseason. That’s free access of all games including the Wild Card games kicking off October 22 and the MLS Cup on December 6. Savings like this makes it an ideal time for casual soccer fans to tune in without the need for an additional subscription.

Try Apple TV for Free Today

Credit: Sports Business Journal

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