Sports Streaming · Tool Face-Off

ESPN+ vs MLS Season Pass

Quick answer

ESPN+ is the Swiss Army knife of sports streaming; MLS Season Pass is the obsessive fan's golden ticket to every single soccer match.

Our pick

ESPN+

The sports buffet that never closes

4.2★

MLS Season Pass

Every MLS match. No blackouts. Full stop.

3.6★

Monthly Price

~$11/mo (standalone)

~$15/mo (Apple TV+ required ~$10/mo)

Annual Price

~$110/yr

~$99/yr (+ Apple TV+ subscription)

MLS Games

Select matches only

Every single MLS match (~1,000+/season)

Blackout Restrictions

Yes, local blackouts apply

Zero blackouts

Sports Coverage Breadth

UFC, NHL, MLB, college sports, LaLiga, more

MLS only (+ some Leagues Cup)

Required Platform

ESPN app (most devices)

Apple TV app only

4K Streaming

Select events

Select matches in 4K

Original Shows / Documentaries

30 for 30, Detail, multiple series

Some MLS-focused docs

Simultaneous Streams

Up to 3

Up to 3 (via Apple TV+)

Replay & Archive

Limited VOD replay

Full match replays all season

Bundle Options

Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu) available

No bundle option

Free Trial

Rarely offered

Occasional free trial via Apple

ESPN+

Ease of Use★★★★☆

Content Variety★★★★★

Value for Money★★★★☆

Streaming Quality★★★★☆

Extras & Originals★★★★☆

Live Sports Coverage★★★★☆

MLS Season Pass

Ease of Use★★★★☆

Content Variety★★☆☆☆

Value for Money★★★½☆

Streaming Quality★★★★½

Extras & Originals★★★☆☆

Live Sports Coverage★★★★½

Worth knowing

ESPN+ streams over 30,000 live events per year across dozens of sports leagues.
MLS Season Pass launched in 2023 as part of Apple's 10-year, $2.5B deal with MLS — the first league to go all-in on one streamer.
ESPN+ does NOT include the main ESPN channel; big Monday Night Football games still require cable.
MLS Season Pass has zero local blackouts, meaning a Portland fan can finally watch the Timbers on a Tuesday night without a VPN.
The Disney Bundle (~$25/mo) includes ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+ — making ESPN+ a steal if you want the full package.

MLS sold its entire league to Apple before some of its teams had even figured out how to sell out their own stadiums.

If you want

You want one service for multiple sports all year long

ESPN+ covers UFC, NHL, MLB, college, LaLiga, and more — it's the only pick if soccer is just one item on your sports menu.

→ Pick ESPN+

If you want

You're a die-hard MLS fan who wants every single match with no blackouts

MLS Season Pass is the only place to watch every game, every week, without hunting for a stream.

→ Pick MLS Season Pass

If you want

You want the best bang for your buck across all content

The Disney Bundle makes ESPN+ insanely cost-effective — you'd be hard-pressed to beat the sheer volume of content.

→ Pick ESPN+

If you want

You're an MLS fan already paying for Apple TV+

The season pass add-on cost drops significantly, and no-blackout full-season access is genuinely unmatched for league completionists.

→ Pick MLS Season Pass

ESPN+VSTennis Channel Plus

Sports Streaming

ESPN+VSDAZN Boxing

Sports Streaming

ESPN+VSPeacock Premium

Sports Streaming (College Football)

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ESPN+ vs MLS Season Pass

ESPN+

MLS Season Pass

Worth knowing

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