Overview
- MLS reported a record 4.6 million aggregate global audience for the Dec. 6 final, which Inter Miami won 3-1 over Vancouver.
- Nielsen’s panel-only measurement showed a U.S. TV average of 994,000 on Fox and Fox Deportes, and the firm is reviewing its Big Data + Panel sample for a possible Fox undercount.
- More than 3.6 million watched via Apple TV, MLS Season Pass and international partners such as TSN, RDS, TNT and HBO Max in Mexico, and the league said most viewers were in the U.S.
- Beginning next year, all MLS matches will be available to Apple TV subscribers, and updated media terms allow the league to explore new partners as early as 2029.
- Over 70% of Apple TV viewers for MLS Cup were under 45; MLS also moved kickoff earlier to reduce overlap with college football and plans a 2027 calendar flip to relocate its playoffs to less crowded windows.