The Ultimate Guide to Watching Sports on Apple TV
Apple TV provides sports fans with a great way to cut the cord and access a wide variety of live sports and sports content on-demand. Through the Apple TV app, standalone apps, and compatible streaming services, you can watch sports from all the major leagues without the need for a traditional cable subscription.
Sports Tab in the Apple TV App
The Apple TV app has a dedicated Sports tab that aggregates live and upcoming games across different sports leagues. It shows you what games are on now or coming up so you can easily find something to watch. You‘ll see live scores and can add games to your Up Next queue.
Major leagues like MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and more are included in the Sports tab. It‘s a simple way to see what‘s available and catch the game you want.
Streaming MLS Soccer
In a landmark deal worth $2.5 billion, Apple has secured the exclusive rights to stream every single live MLS match globally for 10 years from 2023 onward.
As part of this, Apple TV+ subscribers can purchase the MLS Season Pass for $79 per season to get access to all MLS matches without any local blackouts. For non Apple TV+ subscribers, the pass is $99 per season.
This makes Apple TV an essential destination for soccer fans to stream MLS games live in one place.
MLB‘s Friday Night Baseball
Every Friday night during the regular MLB season, Apple TV+ subscribers can watch an exclusive live MLB game for free on the Apple TV app.
Dubbed Friday Night Baseball, it provides a curated MLB matchup to enjoy as part of your Apple TV+ subscription. Games feature some of the biggest names and teams in baseball.
Major Sports League Apps
In addition to the Apple TV app‘s sports tab, all the major sports leagues have their own Apple TV apps where you can stream live games, highlights, analysis and more:
– NFL App – Watch NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NFL Films content, live local games.
– NBA App – Stream live out-of-market NBA games, highlights, stats and stories.
– NHL App – Catch live out-of-market NHL games, replays, analysis and commentary.
– ESPN App – Access live ESPN channels, sports talk shows, news, highlights.
– FOX Sports App – Stream live Fox Sports channels, shows like FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network.
Having all these dedicated apps makes it easy for fans to dive deep into their favorite sport.
Regional Sports Networks
Local and regional sports coverage is also accessible on Apple TV through various live TV streaming providers. Services like DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV carry regional sports networks like Bally Sports, YES Network, NESN, and more so you can watch local MLB, NBA, NHL and college teams.
Streaming services offer free trials so you can test them out yourself and see which carries your desired regional sports network.
Using an OTA DVR
If you want local broadcast channels on Apple TV for sports like Sunday football, you can use an antenna paired with an over-the-air (OTA) DVR like Tablo or Plex.
Connect the antenna to the OTA DVR, then use the DVR‘s app on Apple TV to stream your local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox affiliates that show NFL games and more. You can even record games to watch later just like a regular DVR.
Apple TV 4K vs Older Models
The latest Apple TV 4K model provides the best performance for streaming sports in 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio (where available). Plus it supports the Thread smart home connectivity protocol so your HomePod minis can extend the audio.
Older Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4th gen models can also access all the same sports streaming apps and content, albeit limited to 1080p HD. Still a very capable option for catching the big game.
Finding Games Easily
Between Siri, the TV app, and individual league apps, it‘s simple to find the sports action you want:
– Ask Siri to play a specific team or league and it will start the game if available.
– See live and upcoming games in the Sports tab of the Apple TV app.
– Browse and watch in-progress or upcoming games in your league apps.
– Add games to Up Next so they show up on your home screen at start time.
You‘re never more than a few clicks away from the sports you love on Apple TV.
Top Sports Apps for Cord Cutters
Here are some of the best sports apps for cord cutters on Apple TV:
1. ESPN – For your 24/7 ESPN fix and live games from major leagues.
2. NBC Sports – Catch NBC Sports Network, Premier League soccer, NASCAR, and more.
3. Paramount+ – Stream NFL games, UEFA Champions league matches, NCAA March Madness.
4. DAZN – Watch boxing and MMA events live.
5. Peacock – Contains exclusive Premier League matches, WWE, Olympics replays.
Pair these standalone apps with league offerings and streaming providers for the most robust sports experience as a cord cutter.
Wrap Up
Apple TV offers sports fans a lot of options to ditch cable and still conveniently watch live and on-demand sports. With soccer and baseball offerings included in Apple TV+ itself, plus apps from every major sports league, you‘ll never miss the big game or story again. Add in streaming provider apps for local teams, and Apple TV can be an sports lover‘s dream set top box.
