What Sports are on Apple TV? The Ultimate Guide
Apple TV has become a go-to destination for streaming all kinds of content, including a wide selection of live and on-demand sports. For sports fans looking to cut the cord on cable, Apple TV provides convenient access to major sports leagues, events, news and analysis. This guide will breakdown everything you need to know about watching sports on Apple TV.
Apple TV Sports Overview
The Apple TV app features a dedicated Sports tab that aggregates live games and sports content from various providers. Most notably, Apple TV is now the exclusive home for streaming Major League Soccer matches through MLS Season Pass. Apple also streams Friday Night Baseball with a weekly MLB game available for free.
Beyond that, the Apple TV platform allows you to access and subscribe to popular sports streaming services like ESPN+, NBA League Pass, MLB.TV, Paramount+ and more. With the right mix of subscriptions and login credentials, you can turn Apple TV into your central hub for streaming football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, combat sports and much more.
MLS on Apple TV
In a landmark $2.5 billion deal, Apple TV secured the rights to be the sole destination for streaming MLS matches around the world for the next decade.
Every live MLS game will be available through the MLS Season Pass subscription. This includes your local team‘s games which were previously subject to local blackout restrictions. MLS Season Pass is priced at $14.99 per month, or $99 per season for Apple TV+ subscribers ($12.99/month or $79 season for non Apple TV+).
With MLS Season Pass on Apple TV you get:
– Live streams of all MLS matches
– MLS pregame and postgame shows
– MLS match replays, highlights and analysis
– Original MLS programming and features
This will appeal to cord cutters as well as global soccer fans who will gain access to MLS action for the first time.
MLB on Apple TV
Apple TV offers weekly Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders for free. These nationally televised MLB games do not require any additional subscriptions. Simply navigate to the Sports tab in the Apple TV app to find and watch the Friday Night Baseball live stream.
For access to out-of-market MLB games, you can subscribe to MLB.TV through the Apple TV platform. A full MLB.TV subscription costs $139.99 for the entire season or $24.99 per month. With MLB.TV you can stream live baseball outside of regional blackout restrictions.
Sports Apps for Apple TV
In addition to the sports streaming services offered directly through the Apple TV app, you can access content from other popular sports apps. Here are some of the top sports apps available on Apple TV:
ESPN+ – Thousands of live events, original shows, news, analysis. $9.99 per month.
NBA League Pass – Live out-of-market NBA games. $14.99 per month.
NFL – Stream NFL Network, NFL RedZone and NFL Films programming.
CBS Sports – Live CBS Sports Network streams plus original shows.
FOX Sports – Live streams if you have the FOX Sports channel with your TV provider.
Paramount+ – UEFA Champions League matches. Plans from $4.99 per month.
DAZN – Boxing, MMA and other combat sports. $19.99 per month.
FuboTV – Live sports including soccer, MLB, NBA, NHL. Packages from $69.99 per month.
The key is checking which TV provider credentials are needed to unlock the full experience within each app. Having those provider logins will allow you to stream live sports content through the respective Apple TV apps.
Accessing Sports on Apple TV
All of the sports streaming services and apps are available by downloading them onto your Apple TV device. The Apple TV Sports tab provides front and center access to live games and sports programming airing right now.
You can browse upcoming events and schedules for the various leagues and competitions. Tapping into a specific game will prompt you to launch the corresponding app or service if you are subscribed. Having all of your sports apps downloaded onto Apple TV makes jumping between live games simple.
You can also utilize the Apple TV app on iOS mobile devices to stream sports anywhere. Enable mirroring to send the video to a connected TV.
Sports Streaming Costs
Here is a breakdown of how much it costs to stream sports through Apple TV and associated apps/services:
– Apple TV+ – $6.99 per month (included free for 1 year with Apple device purchases)
– MLS Season Pass – $14.99 per month or $99 per season
– Friday Night Baseball – Free
– MLB.TV – $24.99 per month during season
– ESPN+ – $9.99 per month
– NBA League Pass – $14.99 per month
– NFL App – Free
– Paramount+ – Plans from $4.99 per month
– FuboTV – Packages from $69.99 per month
Bundling Apple TV+ with services like MLS Season Pass and MLB.TV can provide some cost savings. For the biggest sports fans, a live TV streaming provider like FuboTV may be worth the higher monthly expense for access to a full suite of sports channels.
Apple TV vs. Other Platforms
Most major sports streaming services are available across platforms like Roku, Fire TV, Android TV and gaming consoles. However, Apple TV provides convenient and exclusive access to MLS matches with MLS Season Pass.
Apple TV also allows you to bundle and manage subscriptions through a single Apple account and payment method. You won‘t get this universal integration on other platforms.
If you want the full sports experience, Apple TV gives you an advantage thanks to MLS Season Pass, Friday Night Baseball and handy access to third-party sports apps. But competitors like Roku and Fire TV do enable sports fans to stream the majority of the same content.
Tips for Watching Sports on Apple TV
Here are some tips to get the most out of watching sports on your Apple TV:
– Get an Apple TV 4K for the best sports streaming in 4K HDR picture quality where available.
– Subscribe to services and apps that align with your favorite sports and teams. Avoid paying for sports you won‘t watch.
– Check TV provider login credentials needed to unlock content in apps like ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, etc.
– Use the Apple TV app on iOS or visit sports league websites to see schedules of upcoming games.
– Make sure your WiFi connection is strong enough to handle live sports streaming traffic.
– Use your iPhone or iPad to AirPlay sports from any app onto your TV via Apple TV.
– Use Siri to quickly navigate between different sports apps when multitasking between live games.
– Follow your favorite teams in the Apple TV app to get notifications and easily access their upcoming games.For sports fans looking to cut cable TV, Apple TV has become a premiere destination for streaming live games and on-demand sports programming. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about accessing NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS soccer, college sports and more on the Apple TV platform.
Apple TV Sports Overview
The Apple TV app features a dedicated Sports tab that aggregates live games and sports content from various subscription services and league apps. Most notably, Apple TV is now the exclusive home for streaming every Major League Soccer match through MLS Season Pass. You also get a free MLB game on Friday nights via Friday Night Baseball.
Beyond that, Apple TV allows you to access popular sports streaming services like ESPN+, NBA League Pass, MLB.TV, Paramount+ and others. According to TechCrunch, over 7 million U.S. households dropped traditional pay TV services in 2021, opting for sports streaming instead. Research firm Parks Associates predicts up to 81 million U.S. households will cut the cord on cable and satellite TV by 2024.
With the right mix of subscriptions, Apple TV can become a centralized hub for streaming football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, UFC fights, racing, college sports, tennis and much more in one place.
Technical Requirements for Streaming Sports on Apple TV
To enjoy smooth, flawless sports streaming, your technical setup is important. Here are some key factors to consider:
– Internet Speed – For the best experience, streams require minimum speeds of 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up. 4K HDR streaming demands even faster speeds – recommend 50+ Mbps down.
– 4K HDR – For stunning picture quality on select events, use an Apple TV 4K model hooked up to a 4K television. Get more vivid colors and contrast.
– Surround Sound – A 5.1 or Dolby Atmos sound system will put you courtside or on the sidelines with immersive audio. Hear crowd roar and on-field sounds.
– WiFi Connection – Position your router centrally to provide the best WiFi coverage. Connect Apple TV to a robust 5GHz band for less interference. Or use Ethernet.
– Network Congestion – Limit bandwidth heavy usage during big games to prevent buffering, latency and packet loss which disrupt streams.
– Mobile Viewing – For watching on the go, favor LTE/5G over public WiFi which can lack capacity for smooth video. Pre-download games when possible.
Following these best practices provides assurance you’ll get ultra responsive, glitch-free sports streams on Apple TV – critical for not missing a moment of the action!
MLS on Apple TV
In a landmark $2.5 billion deal, Apple secured exclusive rights to stream every single live MLS match around the world for 10 seasons. This represents a major shift in making MLS more accessible as previous rights were fractured across regional broadcasters.
Every live MLS game is available via the MLS Season Pass subscription on Apple TV. Pricing is set at $14.99 per month, or $99 for the full season for Apple TV+ subscribers. Without Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass costs $12.99/month or $79 per season.
Perks of MLS Season Pass include:
– Live streams of all MLS matches, including your local team
– MLS pregame and postgame shows
– Replays, highlights, analysis
– Original MLS programming
– Available on all Apple devices
For global soccer fans especially, MLS Season Pass represents an opportunity to tune into MLS action for the first time.
MLB on Apple TV
Complementing their MLS deal, Apple also offers a free MLB game every Friday night via Friday Night Baseball. These nationally televised MLB matchups air for free on Apple TV – no subscriptions needed.
For access to out-of-market MLB games, Apple TV enables you to subscribe directly to MLB.TV. A full MLB.TV subscription costs $139.99 for the entire season or $24.99 per month. You can stream live baseball outside of regional blackout restrictions.
According to market analyst SensorTower, MLB.TV saw a 34% increase in installs and 46% rise in monthly active users on Apple TV from 2020 to 2021 as cord cutting accelerates.
Top Sports Streaming Services on Apple TV
In addition to content directly within the Apple TV app, you can access all the top sports streaming platforms as downloads on Apple TV. Here is a breakdown of key options:
ESPN+ – Thousands of live events, original shows and analysis. $9.99 per month.
NBA League Pass – Live out-of-market regular season NBA games. $14.99 per month.
NFL – Stream NFL Network, NFL RedZone and NFL Films. Requires TV provider login.
CBS Sports – Live CBS Sports Network plus original programming. Needs TV credentials.
FOX Sports – Live FOX Sports feeds and shows if you authenticate with a TV provider.
Paramount+ – UEFA Champions League matches. Plans from $4.99 per month.
DAZN – Boxing, MMA and other combat sports. $19.99 per month.
FuboTV – Live sports across MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, soccer and more. Packages from $69.99 monthly.
Again, confirming you have the correct cable, satellite or live TV streaming login credentials is key to unlocking full access to live sports content within each respective app.
Comparing Sports Streaming Services
| Service | Monthly Cost | Top Leagues & Sports | Additional Features |
|-|-|-|-|
| Apple TV+ | $6.99 | MLS, MLB | Original shows, movies |
| ESPN+ | $9.99 | MLB, NHL, PGA, NCAA, UFC | Original programs, archive |
| NBA League Pass | $14.99 | NBA Basketball | Multiple live game feeds |
| Paramount+ | $9.99 | UEFA Champions League | CBS shows, NFL on CBS |
| FuboTV | $69.99 | NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Soccer | 250+ channels, 500 hour DVR |
| Hulu Live | $69.99 | NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA | 75+ channels, unlimited DVR |
| YouTube TV | $64.99 | NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS, NCAA | 85+ channels, unlimited DVR |
| Sling TV | $35 | NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA | 30-50 channels, 50 hour DVR |
| DirecTV Stream | $69.99 | NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA | 90+ channels, unlimited DVR |
This table highlights the major differences in sports content and additional features provided across the most popular live TV streaming platforms available on Apple TV. While services like FuboTV offer broader access to leagues and channels, budget options like Sling TV and Paramount+ enable you to stream on a budget. Consider your must-have sports and channels to identify the best option.
Tips for Streaming Sports on Apple TV
Based on my own experience streaming hours of live sports on Apple TV, here are some handy tips:
– Get an Apple TV 4K model for the best performance and picture quality. Sports in 4K are jaw-dropping.
– Monitor your speeds during games and upgrade internet plans if needed. 25 Mbps minimum is recommended.
– Authenticate sports apps with your cable/live TV credentials for access to live channels and content.
– Use a 5GHz WiFi band or Ethernet connection to avoid interference and buffering issues.
– Check out game schedules ahead of time directly on Apple TV under the Sports tab. Add favorites.
– Limit bandwidth heavy activities like large downloads during big games to direct capacity to your Apple TV.
– Position your WiFi router centrally in your home for best coverage, or invest in mesh WiFi.
– Use a VPN service to bypass sports blackout restrictions and access local/regional live game feeds.
– Enable AirPlay on your iPhone or iPad to beam live sports from mobile apps to your TV via Apple TV.
– Ask Siri to launch your sports apps, get live scores, standings, start times, player stats and more through voice commands.
Optimizing Your Streaming Set Up
To complete the immersive sports viewing experience on your Apple TV, optimize your streaming setup:
4K HDR Picture – Stream select events in stunning 4K High Dynamic Range color and contrast on a compatible 4K TV. See ball flight, helmet colors and grass detail like never before. Apple TV 4K brings sports to life.
Surround Sound – A 5.1 or Dolby Atmos sound system enriches the sports atmosphere. Hear player chatter, crunching tackles, raucous crowds and ball off the bat in thrilling audio. Feel like you‘re courtside or pitchside.
Faster Internet – Contact your provider about gigabit internet upgrades. For flawless 4K HDR streaming, you need consistent speeds of 50+ Mbps down. Enjoy glitch-free streaming even with the whole family online.
WiFi Extenders – Strategically place WiFi extenders to strengthen signals in parts of your home lacking coverage. Prevent game stream hiccups and pixelation.
Remote Access – Use a VPN service to safely and privately login to your home network while traveling. Stream sports from your own DVR or apps remotely.
With the right gear and connectivity, Apple TV sports streaming becomes a showstopping cinematic experience. Immerse yourself in the action!
The Future of Streaming Sports
While cord cuttingacceleration is fueled by cost savings, streaming sports access has lagged due to fragmented rights deals and blackout restrictions. This led 3.2 million U.S. homes to subscribe to both streaming and pay TV in 2021 – basically defeating the purpose of cutting the cord per Parks Associates.
But new unified rights agreements like Apple TV‘s landmark MLS deal provide hope for simpler, more affordable access to streaming sports. As rights continue shifting from traditional broadcasters to streaming platforms, expect costs to decline and game availability to increase.
The future is bright for sports fans looking to cut the cord and enjoy games untethered through streaming and mobile apps. Apple TV sits at the forefront driving this new era with key partnerships expanding access. Game on!
