MLS Season Pass is the latest adventure in streaming a soccer league, but it faces stiff competition from the other streaming providers that broadcast soccer.
ESPN+ has the Bundesliga, LaLiga, FA Cup, Championship and more. Paramount+ is the broadcaster of the Serie A and the ever-popular UEFA Cup competitions. Although smaller in portfolio, Peacock is the exclusive provider of several Premier League games each match week.
All offers and prices can stack up for football fans. Those who cut the cord looking to save money are spending to see more. That’s where MLS Season Pass at Apple could find its biggest competition.
The price competition for the MLS season pass
The MLS Season Pass costs $14.99 per month. While it includes every MLS game and behind-the-scenes content throughout the season, it’s still a significant expense.
In a way, it’s perfect for die-hard MLS fans. There is seemingly endless content in MLS Season Pass to learn about each of the 29 teams, their histories, and their best players or managers. On top of that, fans get TV broadcasts, radio broadcasts, Spanish broadcasts, and even French broadcasts for games involving Canadian teams.
Regardless of the great content on the platform, $14.99 per month is still a significant amount. For example, consider the price of the aforementioned providers. ESPN+ is close to $9.99 per month, but it includes a lot more than football, which is plentiful on its own. Peacock and Paramount+ are $4.99 per month each, one-third the price of the MLS Season Pass.
Includes all MLS games, MLS Cup, League Cup, select MLS NEXT Pro games and exclusive content
Explore offers
In terms of what it offers you, these three stations do not have the depth that MLS Season Pass offers. However, they can match, or better, in breadth. Few can compete with the thousands of games and sports on ESPN+. Second, Paramount+ airs more than 2,000 football games a year. Then MLS Season Pass has every MLS game, MLS Next, MLS Next Pro, and Leagues Cup. That adds up to over 900 games to go along with the bonus content. Peacock and NBC only have the Premier League, but that’s still around 180 games per year.
Attract or grow an audience?
As said, covering all MLS games and having video content is great for the league. Fans, new or existing, can get information about each of the clubs, follow their games and hear from the managers and players in one place.
However, will the price of $14.99 per month scare off some potential new fans? With Paramount+, Peacock, or ESPN+, there are reasons for non-football fans to subscribe. The first two services have movies and TV shows. ESPN+ also has documentaries, but focuses on an extensive library of live sports.
MLS Season Pass is more expensive than each of those. It only focuses on Major League Soccer. This historic deal is a huge risk for MLS and Apple. The season begins on February 25.
Major League Soccer Guide
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the MLS Season Pass!
