The MLS Season Pass is gone, but NYCFC fans still must pay to watch on Apple TV

The MLS Cup Playoffs are still going on, and New York City FC is still alive after they beat Charlotte FC in the first round. Some of the games during the 2025 postseason have been on regular TV, but many matches have still been on the MLS Season Pass, with games available for free for Apple TV subscribers.

Normally, the majority of games are behind the paywall that is the MLS Season Pass. Season ticket holders were given the pass as part of their packages, but everyone else had to pay $99.99 a year. For those who subscribed to Apple TV, about $20.00 was taken off the cost. But now, the MLS Season Pass will end after 2025, meaning that NYCFC fans will not have to pay to just watch their team play.

Instead, games, including the Leagues Cup, postseason, and more, are moving to Apple TV. Supporters will simply have to pay for the subscription, which provides way more content compared to the pass, including Apple TV shows. Plus, the cost for a yearly subscription will be about $99.99. So, fans are paying for the pass, with more. Note that the monthly plan would cost more. Additionally, season ticket holders will not have to pay.

NYCFC and MLS moving to Apple TV is the right move

It is unknown whether there will be changes to how Apple TV produces the matches. Nevertheless, this is a step in the right direction. The fact that fans had to pay to watch their team was crazy. In fact, it still stinks that NYCFC and the rest of MLS are behind a paywall. Many have not been the biggest fans of matches being through Apple, for there were many cons from the beginning.

However, it is a positive that anyone who subscribes to Apple TV can watch MLS. This will hopefully increase viewership. At the same time, it would be better for fans to watch their local teams at no cost. The majority of fans of other sports can watch their teams live on TV. Sure, one pays for TV, and sometimes, certain networks will cost more to add on. But for those who watch one team, like NYCFC, paying money for a streaming service to watch a local team remains an insane aspect of the Apple TV deal.

It makes sense to pay if one lives outside their team's local area or if one wants to watch multiple games and teams. But sadly, this might become more of a norm for other sports in the future.

Again, while this is a step in the right direction, for more people will have access to MLS, the paywall of a streaming service will continue to limit the league's ability to bring in more fans. Perhaps someone has an interest in NYCFC, but they will not become a supporters because they do not want to pay for Apple TV. In the past, many games that were not nationally televised were on the YES Network.

The concern of not gaining more fans due to most matches not being accessible remains a relevant issue. Moreover, the league is limiting who can watch. Older individuals might struggle with streaming services, and families who are struggling might not want to spend almost $100.00 or more for a streaming service to watch a team like NYCFC.

Fans should be able to watch local teams without the extra cost. But removing the MLS Season Pass is a positive. NYCFC supporters should celebrate this.