MLS and Apple agree to landmark global rights deal

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The United States’ premier football competition Major League Soccer (MLS) has found a new broadcasting home from next season and beyond with technology giants Apple.

Making their first foray into live football broadcasting, Apple have struck a long-term global partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) worth a reported US$250 million ($360 million AUD) per year.

After moving for a package of Major League Baseball, Apple has made their biggest sports rights acquisition to date by signing a 10-year partnership with MLS to show all matches across the world via the Apple TV streaming platform.

The agreement runs through until the end of the 2032 campaign and will see every match offered through a new MLS-dedicated subscription streaming service available exclusively through the Apple TV app. The over-the-top (OTT) offering will also include a weekly live whiparound show, full-match replays, highlights, analysis, and other original programming. A number of MLS Next Pro and MLS Next developmental tier matches will also be on the platform.

A broad selection of MLS and Leagues Cup matches, including some of the biggest matchups, will also be available at no additional cost to Apple TV+ subscribers, with a limited number of matches available for free. Access to the new MLS streaming service will also be included as part of full-season ticket packages.

According to the Sports Business Journal (SBJ), MLS is also negotiating with ESPN and Fox around a linear domestic package of non-exclusive matches. In addition, SBJ report that Apple is not paying a straight fee, with the US$250 million per year figure being a minimum annual guarantee that will be topped up with revenue as Apple sell subscriptions for the streaming service.

MLS commissioner Don Garber believes that Apple TV will provide the catalyst for the ever-improving competition to grow even further.

“This (partnership) sort of seems like a bit of the icing on the cake,” Garber told the PA news agency.

“We really have been very focused on building a league that we all can be proud of, that could become one of the top leagues in the world, that could show fans here and globally that America, North America, are soccer markets.

“And now with a global opportunity to build a fan base with the leader in global product and global technology and global innovation, it’s going to allow us to expand beyond our borders.

“This gives us the ability to participate not only in the global market for players but on the global market for fans, and that any game, anytime, anywhere without restrictions really is the rocket fuel that’s going to get us to that point.

“So, it is the perfect sort of end to the previous beginning and gives us a new sort of journey towards the World Cup and beyond.”

Garber said MLS is “very pleased with the financials” of a deal that, among other things, will allow for an improved schedule, better quality broadcasts and see season ticket holders at the clubs receive a subscription.

This is just Apple’s second rights deal for live sports, having acquired a package with Major League Baseball in March, but they have achieved great success in football with their comedy-drama Ted Lasso.

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Liverpool’s Bold New Move: The Game-Changing Partnership Set to Revolutionise the Club’s Future

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Liverpool Football Club has kicked off a major new era by signing a multi-year global partnership with Trimble, a leading technology company set to revolutionise the club’s infrastructure and day-to-day operations.

The partnership will debut with a massive redevelopment of the Liverpool FC Academy — a project that promises to transform the way future Reds stars train and develop. The upgrade will feature a new full-size indoor pitch, an outdoor pitch with stands, and state-of-the-art medical and sports science facilities designed to nurture the club’s next generation of talent.

Using Trimble SketchUp®, the redevelopment will create a world-class environment for young players to learn, train and thrive. This collaboration ties directly into Liverpool’s broader vision to drive innovation, boost performance, and ensure its facilities continue to meet the demands of the modern game.

Beyond the infrastructure improvements, Trimble’s brand will also feature across Anfield and LFC’s digital platforms — reaching one of the largest audiences in global sport. With more than 215 million social followers, 12 million YouTube subscribers, and a staggering 583 million cumulative TV viewers across all competitions during the 2024/25 season, Trimble is set to gain enormous worldwide visibility.

Ben Latty, Chief Commercial Officer at Liverpool, said:
“Trimble’s technology and expertise will play an important role in how we continue to evolve our facilities to meet the needs of the modern game – starting with the redevelopment of our Academy.

“Innovation has always been central to the club’s approach, and this partnership brings a fresh perspective to how we design and deliver spaces that support our players, staff and fans. We’re delighted to welcome Trimble to the LFC partnership family.”

Rob Painter, President and CEO of Trimble, added:
“Our collaboration with Liverpool Football Club is a pivotal step in expanding our global reach.

“LFC, much like Trimble and its dedicated customers, embodies excellence and a relentless passion for continuous improvement. We’re confident that this unparalleled exposure will propel the brand further with extended global resonance.”

Liverpool’s latest move isn’t just another sponsorship deal — it’s a statement of intent. By joining forces with Trimble, the club is doubling down on innovation, investing in the future, and ensuring its young stars have the best possible platform to shine for years to come.

Launceston City Launches Inclusive Facility Upgrade

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Image Credit: Our Game

Launceston City FC has announced that work has commenced on a new refurbishment for the club’s change room endorsed by the Play Our Way program.

Built in 1979 by the club’s volunteers, the facility’s new refurbishment will include a new roof, a multipurpose and education room, a parent room, renovated changerooms, an undercover walkway, and a new entry.

Launceston City FC Director and lead strategic lead for the project, Jesse Woodroffe, spoke to Soccerscene about what the refurbishment will do for inclusivity and equality around the community.

“What it does is shows that we are a club for everyone, and having a standalone designated facility that’s prioritised for women and girls, sends a signal that sport is for everybody and gone are the days where there isn’t equal access,” she said.

“We are seeing a great shift nationwide in equitable access to facilities, grounds and change rooms; certainly, it wasn’t that way a few decades ago.

“Our hope is that we can offer this room and these facilities out to other groups or NGO’s as well.”

Launceston City aims to complete the refurbishment by April next year in order to have the new change rooms available for the upcoming season.

The project is supported under Stream 1 of the Australian Government’s $200 million Play Our Way Program and aims to deliver modern, inclusive changerooms for women and girls in Launceston’s community.

The Play Our Way Program

The Play Our Way Program is designed to remove barriers to participation, reduce discrimination, and promote equality in sport by funding local initiatives and ideas.

An input of experts across the sport sector and key Australian government agencies helped design the program, including an expert advisory panel of women with experience in community and professional sport.

“Play our Way is an opportunity for local governments, community organisations, the not-for-profit sector and sporting organisations to seek funding for localised solutions and improvements,” said Minister for Communications and Sport, Anika Wells, in a press release about the program.

“The program will be available for all sports, but it is anticipated soccer, as the highest participation sport in Australia, will need significant resourcing in the wake of the greatest Women’s World Cup ever.”

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