What sports are on Apple TV?
Sports fans, are you looking for the best way to stream live games and on-demand highlights without expensive cable TV? If so, Apple TV offers a fantastic selection of sports across major leagues like MLB, NBA, MLS and beyond.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain everything you need to know about watching sports on Apple TV as a cord-cutter. You‘ll learn about:
– Apple‘s sports streaming strategy and partnerships
– Live games, replays and analysis in the Apple TV app
– MLB and MLS Season Passes for baseball and soccer
– Other sports streaming services available
– Local sports networks and blackout restrictions
– Streaming quality and hardware options
– Tips for streaming sports on iPhone and iPad
– How Apple TV stacks up to cable and satellite
Let‘s dive in and explore how Apple TV can satisfy all your sports streaming needs!
## Apple Makes a Big Bet on Sports Streaming
In recent years, Apple has made sports an important focus to attract cord-cutters to their streaming platform.
They recognized live sports was the last major hurdle keeping some viewers tied to traditional pay TV. Now they‘ve entered into major partnerships with leagues like the MLB and MLS to provide exclusive access to games.
According to CNBC, Apple is spending $2.5 billion over 10 years to become the exclusive streamer of all live MLS games. They also landed a deal with MLB to show weekly Friday night baseball doubleheaders.
This provides Apple TV huge live sports inventory along with acclaimed original programming. It cements Apple TV+‘s place among top-tier streaming services.
Apple is leveraging their advantage delivering seamless viewing experiences across devices. Their sports strategy is a long-term bet to lock in subscribers and drive hardware sales.
## Apple TV App – Your Sports Watchlist in One Place
The Apple TV app brings together different sports streaming options in one convenient hub. The Sports tab located at the bottom makes finding live games and highlights quick and easy.
This tab aggregates sports content from various network apps and streaming services, both free and paid. For example, you can jump right into live MLB and MLS action through their Season Pass subscriptions.
*The Sports tab of the Apple TV app*
The Sports tab keeps track of your favorite teams and leagues. It provides personalized recommendations of upcoming games to watch. You can follow specific teams to get notifications when they are playing or featured in programming.
This tab also incorporates sports news, analysis, interviews and other shows from networks like ESPN and CBS Sports. It brings everything together in one dashboard.
Unfortunately, the Sports tab is only available on Apple devices – Apple TV box, iPhone, iPad, Mac. It does not appear on other platforms like Roku or Fire TV where you can only access individual sports apps.
## MLB Season Pass – Unparalleled Access to Live Baseball
Baseball fans, imagine being able to watch any out-of-market MLB game live this season. No worrying about regional blackouts or restricting networks.
That‘s the beauty of MLB Season Pass, available exclusively through the Apple TV app and devices.
MLB Season Pass provides unlimited access to live regular season baseball games, both home and away broadcasts. You can cheer on your favorite team and players throughout the season.
The service offers:
– Live MLB action on Friday nights and throughout the week
– Replays, classic games and archive content
– Enhanced stats, live pitch tracking data
– 4K HDR picture quality where available
– Home and away feeds to choose from
– Condensed game replays for quick catch-up
– Multiple streams so you can watch up to 4 games at once!
MLB Season Pass is available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the U.K.
It costs $24.99/month or $129.99 for the full season. Apple TV+ subscribers receive a special discounted price of $19.99/month.
There are no added blackout restrictions so you get access to the entirety of live out-of-market MLB action. Local games remain exclusive to regional sports networks.
Overall, MLB Season Pass is a fantastic option for cord-cutters to enjoy baseball season. The price is very competitive compared to alternatives:
| Service | Monthly Price | Apple TV+ Discount |
|-|-|-|
| MLB Season Pass | $24.99 | $19.99 |
| MLB.TV | $24.99 | N/A |
| fuboTV | $69.99 | N/A |
## MLS Season Pass – All the Excitement of Live Soccer
Soccer enthusiasts can now watch every single MLS match live with the MLS Season Pass, available in over 100 countries exclusively on the Apple TV app.
The Pass provides:
– Live streams of all MLS matches, including primetime games
– Replays, highlights, analysis, interviews and other original programming
– Enhanced stats overlays and tactical cams
– Behind-the-scenes coverage of your favorite clubs and players
Apple is investing heavily in domestic soccer. Their deal with MLS secured rights to all games through 2032.
For Apple TV+ subscribers, the MLS Season Pass costs an affordable $13.99/month or just $79/season. Without an Apple TV+ subscription, it‘s priced at $14.99/month or $99/season.
You can stream on a wide range of Apple devices – Apple TV 4K/HD, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the web. Streaming quality is excellent with 4K HDR video where available.
The MLS Season Pass gives cord-cutters a reliable and cost-effective means of following MLS action each season.
## NBA League Pass – Basketball Action on Apple TV
The Apple TV app also provides access to NBA League Pass directly through Apple. This subscription gives fans access to:
– Live regular season NBA games
– Full game replays
– Classic NBA games and archives
– Enhanced stats and analytics
League Pass costs $14.99/month or $99.99 for the full season. You can follow your favorite team through the season even if you‘re outside their home market.
Unfortunately local blackout restrictions still apply so you can‘t watch in-market games of your home team live. You‘ll need a cable or satellite provider for that.
But League Pass is a solid option for catching NBA action and following player storylines. Video quality is superb with 60 FPS streaming.
## Other Sports Streaming Services
In addition to Apple‘s own sports offerings, the Apple TV platform supports apps for all the major sports streaming services. These open up more live sports options for cord-cutters.
Some top services available include:
**ESPN+** – ESPN‘s direct-to-consumer platform has thousands of live events, original shows and exclusive content. Their coverage includes MLB, NHL, La Liga soccer, PGA Tour golf, UFC fights and much more.
Priced at just $9.99/month, ESPN+ offers tremendous value. It‘s a must-have complement to packages like Season Pass that focus on specific leagues.
**Peacock** – Peacock is NBCUniversal‘s streaming service carrying huge sports inventory like Premier League soccer, Sunday Night NFL football, Olympics, golf majors, NASCAR and WWE wrestling.
Their free tier offers selections of Premier League matches. Premium unlocks all coverage plus other NBCU programming for $4.99/month. Well worth it for soccer fans!
**Paramount+** – After taking over Champions League rights, Paramount+ is ideal for soccer fans seeking European action. Their live coverage of NFL games and PGA Tour golf rounds out a robust sports package.
Plans start at $4.99/month and provide way more content than just sports. But Paramount+ has become the home of Champions League streaming in the U.S.
**fuboTV** – For expanded mainstream sports coverage, fuboTV carries regional sports networks and many cable channels that show live games across different leagues. Their base plan is $69.99/month.
Add-ons for International sports and higher picture quality put fuboTV closer to the price of cable but with more flexibility. They offer a 1-week free trial.
This selection of streaming services available on Apple TV provide all the sports offerings you could ask for as a cord-cutter.
## Watch Local Teams on Regional Sports Networks
In addition to national packages, you can catch local live sports coverage on Apple TV through regional sports networks like:
– FOX Sports
– NBC Sports
– AT&T SportsNet
– NESN
– Spectrum Sports
These local networks air the hometown games for MLB, NBA, NHL and other teams based on media rights deals.
However, you‘ll need a valid cable TV login from a participating provider like Comcast Xfinity or Spectrum to actually access live streams. This allows cable subscribers to use Apple TV and apps to view the content they already pay for through a traditional package.
But it does limit options for pure cord-cutters without cable. Streaming services like fuboTV are engineered specifically to solve this problem and unlock local live sports.
## Streaming Quality and Supported Devices
To take advantage of sports offerings like Season Pass subscriptions, an **Apple TV 4K** or **Apple TV HD** (4th generation or later) device is recommended.
The Apple TV box supports key streaming capabilities like:
– 4K HDR video with Dolby Vision and Atmos audio
– Smooth 60 FPS streaming for sports
– Multi-view of up to 4 streams at once (MLB)
– Access to full App Store of sports provider apps
Older Apple TV models (1st-3rd gen) only deliver up to 1080p HD quality. They lack access to the latest apps and multi-view features.
You can also stream Apple TV+ original programming and Apple TV app content to:
– iPhone (XR and later for 4K HDR)
– iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later)
– Macs with Apple Silicon
– Select smart TVs (AirPlay)
Performance will vary based on device capability and network speeds. Smaller screens aren‘t ideal for fast-moving sports.
## Tips for Streaming Sports on iPhone and iPad
While watching sports on your big screen Apple TV or television is recommended, you can still enjoy games and highlights on iPhone and iPad on the go.
Here are some tips to optimize streaming:
– Connect to fast 5G or WiFi 6 networks for max quality
– Disable auto-lock so the screen stays active during a game
– Close other apps that could interfere with streaming
– Disable Low Power Mode to prevent throttling
– Adjust display brightness to save battery life
– Consider a tablet mount to go hands-free
– Use AirPods for clearer audio when in loud environments
– Download games to watch offline later if you have limited data
Portable iOS devices give you flexibility to catch sports from anywhere. But the small screen can‘t compare to the immersive experience on your television at home.
## Cast Sports from Android to Apple TV
Apple TV supports Google Cast so you can wirelessly mirror sports from Android devices too. Apps like YouTube TV leverage casting to beam live sports from your phone to the big screen.
Steps to cast sports:
1. Connect phone and Apple TV to the same WiFi network
2. Open the sports app and tap the Cast button
3. Select your Apple TV from the target device list
4. Stream will now play directly on your TV!
Casting works for live and on-demand sports. Note that casting simply mirrors your phone‘s display rather than streaming natively through the Apple TV app. Quality depends on your phone‘s resolution.
## Stream International Sports
While Apple TV focuses on North American pro sports, you can also access international leagues and events.
For example, soccer fans can watch **Premier League** matches live on Peacock. Apple TV provides apps for dedicated services like:
– **DAZN** – Live streams of Champions League, Europa League, Serie A, boxing and other sports.
– **beIN Sports** – Coverage of Ligue 1, Turkish Süper Lig, Copa Libertadores and more.
When major events like the **Olympics** come around, Apple TV gives you access through apps for broadcasters like NBC.
Streaming availability for international sports varies by region. But Apple TV offers enough options to satisfy most global sports needs as a cord-cutter.
## Apple TV for Sports vs. Cable and Satellite
So how does streaming sports on Apple TV compare to traditional cable and satellite TV?
Here‘s a look at some of the pros and cons:
**Cost**
– Apple TV: **Cheaper** – Packages like Season Pass offer savings over cable. Flexible a-la-carte model.
– Cable/Satellite: **More expensive** – Big bundles required just to get sports networks. Costs add up quick.
**Video Quality**
– Apple TV: **Excellent 4K HDR** – When supported by apps and your Internet speed.
– Cable/Satellite: **HD or SD** – Picture quality varies but capped at 1080p.
**Reliability**
– Apple TV: **Dependent on Internet** – Experience can suffer from weak connections.
– Cable/Satellite: **Very reliable** – Consistent quality with dedicated cable line.
**Flexibility**
– Apple TV: **Very flexible** – Stream wherever you go and cancel any time.
– Cable/Satellite: **Locked in** – Need equipment installed. Contracts can be difficult to exit.
**Content Breadth**
– Apple TV: **More limited** – Need multiple apps to get full sports portfolio.
– Cable/Satellite: **Very broad** – Huge channel bundles cover everything.
As you can see, cord-cutting with Apple TV offers pros and cons compared to cable/satellite television. But the flexibility and potential cost savings make it an option worth considering for sports fans today.
## The Last Word
I hope this detailed guide gave you clarity on the myriad sports streaming options available through Apple TV. With smart subscriptions and provider apps, Apple TV offers impressive sports coverage without the burden of cable.
While some limitations exist with blackouts and local teams, Apple TV still provides tremendous value. Features like the Sports tab of the Apple TV app make finding the content you want blissfully simple.
So go ahead and take in that edge-of-your-seat World Cup match or last inning drama on your schedule. Apple TV was designed to unleash the exciting sports streaming experience cord-cutters have long awaited!
