In a significant shift from previous years, T-Mobile users will no longer have free access to the Major League Soccer (MLS) Season Pass on the Apple TV+ streaming platform in 2024.
This change is also expected to have a noticeable impact on the number of subscribers and viewership for MLS games.
T-Mobile users had previously enjoyed access to every game in Major League Soccer through the MLS Season Pass subscription, saving them $100 on the subscription. This was a major benefit for those with iPhones and an interest in soccer. However, according to CNET, this offer will not be available from 2024 onwards.
MLS fans will need to pay full price for their subscriptions
The discontinuation of this offer means that T-Mobile users who wish to watch all Major League Soccer games will need to pay full price for their subscriptions. The base monthly fee stands at $14.99 while an annual subscription costs $99.99.
However, discounts are available for those who also subscribe to Apple TV+. For these subscribers, the monthly fee drops down to $12.99 and the annual option becomes more affordable at $79.
With T-Mobile no longer offering free access or discounted rates, one alternative way fans can get a free MLS Season Pass is by purchasing season tickets from one of the 29 Major League Soccer clubs. However, as popularity grows among each club's fan base, these tickets are becoming increasingly hard to come by, something of which Inter Miami fans are very aware.
Despite this challenge, having a season ticket does come with its benefits - including access to Apple’s streaming platform where all matches are broadcast live.
The removal of free access for T-Mobile users could potentially lead to a decrease in subscriber counts on MLS Season Pass as well as overall viewership numbers - especially considering T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless provider in the United States.
While not all T-Mobile users watched MLS games, they made up a significant portion of the 2 million subscribers on Apple's platform. Although this figure is an estimate from various reports and not directly from Apple, it does indicate that a substantial number of viewers could be lost.
