How to watch MLS matches: Live streams, TV channels, start times and key fixtures for 2026 season
With Lionel Messi and Inter Miami looking to create more history in their brand new stadium, the 2026 Major League Soccer season is gearing up to be one of the most memorable in the league’s history.
Last year, the greatest player ever in professional soccer led the Herons to their first-ever league crown. That title came one season after securing the club’s first-ever Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record, which itself came one year after Messi led Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup crown.
While the Argentine continues to achieve greater things each and every year, the rest of the league has pushed to challenge their rise to global prominence. FC Cincinnati, Nashville SC, and the Philadelphia Union are expected to make a push in the Eastern Conference, while LAFC, Vancouver Whitecaps, San Diego, and the LA Galaxy are thought likely to challenge in the West.
The star power is at a league high as well this season, with Son Heung-Min in his first season at LAFC, James Rodriguez joining Minnesota United, Thomas Muller firing with Vancouver, and German Berterame signing on with Messi in Miami.
The Sporting News brings you a look at how to follow all the action throughout the 2026 MLS season for those in the United States and around the globe.
MORE: Explaining all the special MLS laws and quirks, including the Designated Player rule
How to watch MLS matches for 2026 season
- TV channel: FOX, FS1, FOX Deportes
- Streaming: Apple TV, Fubo
Every single match of the 2026 Major League Soccer season will be available to stream on Apple TV for viewers all around the world. The old MLS Season Pass has been disbanded, meaning all one needs is a subscription to Apple TV to access all MLS matches.
Fans in the US can pay $12.99 per month while new subscribers can also sign up for a seven-day FREE trial.
Additionally, in the United States, 34 matches across the 2026 MLS season will be televised by Fox Sports, with 15 games on FOX and 19 matches on FS1. All 34 televised games will also be available in Spanish on FOX Deportes.
All 34 televised matches can be found streaming on Fubo, who offer a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
MORE: When does the 2026 season start?
2026 MLS season schedule
The 2026 MLS season will begin on February 21 and run all the way through November 7.
While the season will begin at almost exactly the same time as last season, it will conclude three weeks later to account for a summer pause while the U.S. plays host to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Once the regular season is complete, the playoffs will take place over approximately six weeks.
MORE: How the MLS playoffs work
2026 MLS schedule, key dates
| Event | Date |
| Opening Day | February 21 |
| World Cup pause | May 25-July 16 |
| Rivalry week | July 16-17 |
| All-Star Game | July 29 (Charlotte FC) |
| Decision Day | November 7 |
| MLS Playoffs begin | November 18 |
Start times for 2026 MLS matches
The following table shows the most common start times for each day of action across the MLS season.
Often, the earlier matches are concentrated on the east coast, while the middle times are left for central time and mountain time zones, and later times are usually concentrated on matches in the west coast.
| Day of Week | Start time |
| Saturday | 1 p.m. |
| 2:30 p.m. | |
| 4:30 p.m. | |
| 7:30 p.m. | |
| 8:30 p.m. | |
| 9:30 p.m. | |
| 10:30 p.m. | |
| Sunday | 3 p.m. |
| 5:30 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
| 9 p.m. | |
| Wednesday | 10:30 p.m. |
| 7:30 p.m. | |
| 8:30 p.m. | |
| 9:30 p.m. | |
| 10:30 p.m. | |
| Friday | 10:30 p.m. |
Key dates, fixtures in 2026 MLS season
The following 34 matches have been announced as being televised by Fox Sports. This list is subject to change.
- Sat, Feb. 21: FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United (FOX)
- Sun, Feb. 22: Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids (FS1)
- Sun, Mar. 1: St. Louis City vs. San Diego FC (FS1)
- Sat, Mar. 14: Atlanta United vs. Philadelphia Union (FOX)
- Sat, Mar. 14: Columbus Crew vs. Nashville SC (FS1)
- Sat, Mar. 21: Nashville SC vs. Orlando City (FOX)
- Sat, Mar. 21: Austin FC vs. LAFC (FOX)
- Sun, Mar. 22: Seattle Sounders vs. Minnesota United (FOX)
- Sun, Mar. 22: Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy (FOX)
- Sat, Apr. 11: Austin FC vs. LA Galaxy (FOX)
- Sat, Mar. 11: Portland Timbers vs. LAFC (FOX)
- Wed, Apr. 22: Atlanta United vs. New England Revolution (FS1)
- Sat, Apr. 25: Minnesota United vs. LAFC (FOX)
- Sat, May 2: Sporting KC vs. Seattle Sounders (FOX)
- Sat, May 2: Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers (FOX)
- Sat, May 2: Inter Miami vs. Orlando City (FS1)
- Sat, May 9: Nashville SC vs. DC United (FS1)
- Wed, May 13: Charlotte FC vs. NYCFC (FS1)
- Wed, May 13: San Diego FC vs. Austin FC (FS1)
- Sat, May 16: Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy (FS1)
- Sat, May 23: St. Louis City vs. Austin FC (FOX)
- Sun, May 24: Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union (FOX)
- Fri, Jul. 17: Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United (FOX)
- Fri, Jul. 17: LA Galaxy vs. LAFC (FS1)
- Wed, Jul. 22: Charlotte FC vs. Atlanta United (FS1)
- Wed, Jul. 22: LAFC vs. Real Salt Lake (FS1)
- Sat, Jul. 25: Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati (FS1)
- Sat, Jul. 25: San Diego FC vs. FC Dallas (FS1)
- Sat, Aug. 1: Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders (FS1)
- Wed, Aug. 19: Sporting KC vs. St. Louis City (FS1)
- Wed, Aug. 19: LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes (FS1)
- Wed, Sep. 9: Philadelphia Union vs. FC Cincinnati (FS1)
- Sun, Nov. 1: Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo (FS1)
Additionally, here are the dates for some of the more prominent rivalry matches in Major League Soccer.
| Match | Nickname | Date | Home team |
| LA Galaxy vs. LAFC | “El Trafico” | Jul. 17 | LA Galaxy |
| Oct. 25 | LAFC | ||
| Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers | “Cascadia Cup” | Jul. 16 | Seattle Sounders |
| Aug. 1 | Portland Timbers | ||
| Inter Miami vs. Orlando City | “Florida derby” | Mar. 1 | Orlando City |
| May 2 | Inter Miami | ||
| NY Red Bulls vs. NYCFC | “Hudson River derby” | May 16 | NY Red Bulls |
| Aug. 18 | NYCFC | ||
| Sporting KC vs. St. Louis City | “Heartland derby” | Jul. 16 | St. Louis City |
| Aug. 19 | Sporting KC | ||
| CF Montreal vs. Toronto FC | “Canadian Classique” | Jul. 16 | CF Montreal |
| Oct. 10 | Toronto FC | ||
| Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati | “Hell Is Real” | Jul. 25 | Columbus Crew |
| Oct. 18 | FC Cincinnati | ||
| FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo | “Texas derby” | Mar. 21 | FC Dallas |
| Oct. 17 | Houston Dynamo | ||
| Atlanta United vs. Charlotte FC | “I-85 derby” | Jul. 22 | Charlotte FC |
| Aug. 29 | Atlanta United |
