MLS Must Offer a Single-Team Streaming Option So New World Cup Fans Don't Hit a $13/Month Wall
This summer, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing soccer to 16 American cities and will convert millions of casual fans into soccer believers for the first time. When those fans try to follow their local MLS team in August, they'll discover they need an Apple TV+ subscription they didn't want. That's a fan acquisition failure hiding in plain sight — and MLS owns the timing to fix it.
Submitted by Chase Garbarino
Background
MLS's 10-year, $2.5B deal with Apple TV+ is revenue-transformative but creates a meaningful barrier for casual and new fans who want to follow one club, not subscribe to an entire entertainment platform. Season members already receive a complimentary Apple TV+ subscription, but single-game and casual fans face the full platform paywall. No other major North American league requires a third-party platform subscription to access local team games.
The Ask
Negotiate with Apple to offer a single-team MLS streaming add-on at $6.99/month or less, available without a full Apple TV+ subscription, before the 2026 World Cup concludes in July.
Gathering Support
50 more signatures needed to qualify.