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The Leagues Cup, the annual showdown between Major League Soccer and Liga MX, starts tomorrow. Apple TV will stream all 62 matches in over 100 countries – for the first time without an additional subscription. Among the participants: a German World Cup winner.
The Leagues Cup is entering its fourth edition, and for viewers in German-speaking countries, the most important change since last year is that the tournament is now included in the regular Apple TV subscription instead of requiring a separate pass. Apple confirmed the launch on August 4th in its Newsroom and also outlined the supporting program. A look at the other releases in August reveals how the month is shaping up for Apple TV overall.
Key Facts at a Glance
- All 62 Leagues Cup matches will be broadcast live on Apple TV in more than 100 countries and regions.
- The separate MLS Season Pass has been abolished this season – the games are included in the regular subscription for 9.99 euros.
- 18 clubs from the MLS will face 18 clubs from Liga MX, with four first-phase matches taking place in Mexico for the first time.
- Thomas Müller is in the field of participants with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Robert Lewandowski plays for Chicago Fire.
- Commentary is available in English, Spanish and French – a German audio track is not planned.
A tournament between two leagues
The Concacaf-sanctioned competition brings together 18 clubs from Major League Soccer and 18 from the Mexican Liga MX. The format guarantees cross-league matchups up to and including the quarterfinals. New this season is that four first-phase matches will be played in Mexico.
For the top three teams, there's more at stake than just the title: the winner, runner-up, and third-place finishers qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup 2027. The tournament winner advances directly to the round of 16, thus taking the path towards the FIFA Club World Cup.
The defending champions are the Seattle Sounders, who celebrated their first Leagues Cup triumph last year with a 3-0 victory against Inter Miami CF. Their first match is against Toluca FC, the reigning Concacaf Champions Cup winners.
A German world champion is among the participants
From a German perspective, Vancouver offers the strongest reason to tune in. Thomas Müller has played for the Whitecaps since August 2025, was signed as a Designated Player for 2026, and was named to the MLS All-Star Game roster for the first time in July. The club will play two first-phase matches at home and then travel to Monterrey to face Tigres UANL.
Apple itself has long since made the connection: At the start of the season in February, Müller was quoted in the company's German-language press release, pointing out that fans worldwide could follow his first full MLS season via the service. For Apple, the German World Cup winner is clearly an argument for marketing soccer beyond the North American market.
The Bundesliga's past is also evident in other parts of the tournament. Robert Lewandowski plays for Chicago Fire, Müller's former strike partner at FC Bayern. Antoine Griezmann is under contract with Orlando City SC, Casemiro with Inter Miami CF – for all three, it's their Leagues Cup debut.
Costs and kick-off times from a German perspective
The biggest change compared to last year concerns the price. Until the end of 2025, a separate Season Pass was required for MLS games; since this season, they are included in the regular Apple TV subscription. Those who already subscribe to the service pay nothing extra for the tournament. Apple explicitly states that there are no regional restrictions or limitations – a rare occurrence with sports rights, resulting from the exclusive worldwide agreement with the league.
| Access | Price per month |
|---|---|
| Apple TV in Germany and Austria | 9.99 euros |
| Apple TV in the USA | $12.99 |
| MLS Season Pass (until the end of the 2025 season) | 14.99 euros, 99 euros per season |
The second point concerns the time. The Seattle Sounders vs. Toluca FC game kicks off at 7 p.m. Pacific Time on August 5th – which corresponds to 4 a.m. on August 6th in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This is standard for games on the West Coast; matches in Mexico and on the East Coast start earlier.
Audio will be available in three languages where available: English, Spanish, and French. Apple does not offer a German commentary track. In addition, there will be pre- and post-event reports in English and Spanish, as well as on-demand content.
Why Apple is changing its payment model for sports
The real news behind the tournament's start is the discontinuation of the Season Pass. Apple spent three years trying to sell soccer as a standalone add-on subscription, but has now abandoned that approach. Sports are thus becoming a selling point for the main subscription rather than a separate revenue stream – the same logic the company has recently used to broaden its content offerings.
For you as a viewer in Germany, the calculation has become simpler: A subscription for €9.99 covers series, films, and now also the entire tournament, while US subscribers pay significantly more for the same package. The catch remains the time zone. Anyone wanting to watch the games live either needs a very early alarm clock or the willingness to avoid checking the results until the evening. (Image: Apple)
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