MLS Partners with EA to Broadcast Soccer Matches via Mobile Gaming Platform

Major League Soccer, the premier professional soccer league in the United States, is set to debut on a mobile gaming platform through a groundbreaking collaboration with EA. This initiative will see a selection of four MLS matches streamed on the EA Sports FC Mobile app this season.

The soccer matches kick off with a free live stream of a highly anticipated rematch between Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls on Saturday, May 10. This match echoes last year's 2024 finale where the Galaxy claimed their sixth MLS Cup after a compelling victory over the Red Bulls.

Subsequent broadcasts include a game on May 17, with the remaining two matches occurring in September, although exact dates have not yet been disclosed. These broadcasts will also be simulcast through the MLS Season Pass available on Apple TV, which owns the exclusive global rights to the league's games.

As part of this exciting partnership, viewers streaming the matches via EA's mobile app will receive a complimentary one-month trial to the MLS Season Pass along with bonuses of in-game currency.

This endeavor marks EA's inaugural step into the realm of live game streaming, targeting the passionate live sports audience that spans various platforms. The move aligns with EA's latest strategies following a period of financial adjustment blamed on weaker than expected performances, particularly of its EA Sports FC games.

MLS, experiencing a surge in sponsorships and attendance in recent years, especially after the high-profile addition of Lionel Messi in 2023 and with the United States gearing up to co-host the 2026 World Cup, is still striving to match the popularity levels of other American sports leagues.

EA's digital soccer experiences, previously branded under the FIFA name, have been instrumental as a 'gateway' for new fans according to Camilo Durana, an executive vice president at MLS. The collaboration with EA is seen as a continuation of efforts to make the league’s presence more robust within the game, featuring teams, players, and authentic stadiums.

Called a ‘starting phase’ of this new partnership, Durana expects the league to explore further opportunities based on the reception. He expresses enthusiasm for innovative attempts to broaden engagement with audiences.

The collaboration with Apple has been described by Durana as a platform for trialing diverse partnerships aimed at drawing viewers back to the Apple-based MLS Season Pass. The aim is to inspire more fans to engage with the content, which is accessible via the Apple TV app.

MLS entered an extensive ten-year collaboration with Apple in 2022, which allows all matches to be accessed through the MLS Season Pass. This is available as either a standalone offering or an add-on to Apple TV+. The pricing model is structured to encourage subscriptions via Apple, with rates for MLS Season Pass starting at $12.99 for Apple TV+ users, or $59 for a season package, climbing for those paying solely for the soccer content.

Detailed subscriber numbers for the MLS Season Pass remain undisclosed by Apple. However, former optimistic reports from MLS Commissioner Don Garber highlighted that subscription numbers surpassed initial projections, indicating strong viewer interest.

In a strategic effort to widen its reach, MLS, in conjunction with Apple, made the MLS Season Pass more accessible earlier this season. Now, pay-TV customers can seamlessly subscribe through services like Xfinity and DirecTV, beyond just the Apple ecosystem. Additionally, some games have been offered for free to broaden accessibility and unexpectedly capture new audiences.