MLS Kickoff 2026: As FIFA Men's World Cup Looms, League's Media Operations and Apple TV Aim To Enhance Viewing Experience

Tech enhancements, marquee productions are expected to take advantage of a summer when all eyes are on soccer

With tons of noise in the soccer community in anticipation of this summer's FIFA Men's World Cup in North America, Major League Soccer is looking to capitalize on the moment with enhanced coverage throughout the regular season and postseason. Along with tech enhancements that include iPhones as part of the camera complement and a hybrid model with onsite studio programming and remote workflows for live game coverage through NEP Group's production ecosystem, the league's partnership with Apple TV is rolling with two marquee packages: the return of Sunday Night Soccer Presented by Continental Tire and the debut of Walmart Saturday Showdown.

Apple has been a tremendous partner, says Seth Bacon, EVP, media, MLS. Since Day 1, we talked about how this is going to drive global reach and engagement. [Sunday Night Soccer and Walmart Saturday Showdown] allow us to build, invest, and enhance our storytelling around the biggest matches on the calendar.

Weekend Must-Watch: Sunday Night Soccer, Walmart Saturday Showdown

Beginning the new MLS era on Apple TV, the pair of standout productions will be driving the league's overall production strategy. As a place to go all-out with technological innovation - including live game coverage from Shot on iPhone View - and an increased onsite presence to amplify the contests, these weekends will certainly bring more viewers to the platform. Many of the broadcasts are chances to experiment with new forms of workflows: for example, Ref Cam and player isos on TikTok and a partnership with EA Sports to livestream games on EAFC Mobile.

Elevating the experience through these kinds of enhancements is what we're all about, says Royce Dickerson, executive producer, live sports, Apple TV. Our goal is to bring fans closer to the game, wherever they are on an array of devices. These second-screen experiences were great companion pieces for fans to watch, and it provided a different perspective of the game.

The fun starts with the official debut of Walmart Saturday Showdown,with the match between the LAFC and defending MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 9:30 p.m. ET. Then the first handful of matchups on this new property will offer Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m., Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire FC on March 7 at 7:30 p.m., LA Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City on March 14 at 9:30 p.m., and Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire FC on March 21 at 4:30 p.m. On these broadcasts, the production team will deploy a new graphics package, and Andrew Wiebe will be the dedicated sideline reporter.

Sunday Night Soccer will build on the success that continued in 2025, and the schedule begins with New York City FC vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. Other dates are to be announced.

Onsite Changes: La Previa at the Stadium, Commentary Returns

Studio programming is a massive portion of the MLS's plans on Apple TV, and the league is continuing its slate of shows. They include MLS Countdown in English with talent Sacha Kljestan, Kaylyn Kyle, Dax McCarty, and Bradley Wright-Phillips; and La Previa in Spanish with host Antonella Gonz lez and analysts Miguel Gallardo and Giovanni Savarese.

To inject more life and color into the production, La Previa will travel to each participating venue during the regular season but will return to its usual studio environment during Leagues Cup and MLS Cup.

One of the areas we looked hard at this past year was where audiences were going for Spanish-language viewership, says Bacon. We realized that our viewers preferred more of a connection to what's happening onsite. We understood that this was the best thing that any network would do.

On the commentary front, English-language coverage will include play-by-play announcer Jake Zivin, analyst Taylor Twellman, and sideline reporter Jillian Sakovits; Spanish-language coverage will feature play-by-play announcer Sammy Sadovnik, analyst Diego Valeri, and Gonz lez as sideline reporter.

Other games will feature a combination of talent with play-by-play announcers Jes s Acosta, Max Bretos, Nate Bukaty, Steve Cangialosi, Jessica Charman, Keith Costigan, Alejandro Figueredo, Ignacio Nacho Garcia, Ra l Guzm n, Tony Husband, Mois s Linares, Fr d ric Lord, Christian Miles, Jorge Perez-Navarro, Diego Pessolano, Blake Price, Carlos Mauricio Ram rez, Pablo Ram rez, Francisco X. Rivera, Mark Rogondino, Sergio Ruiz, Ramses Sandoval, Neil Sika, Bruno Vain, Evan Weston, Callum Williams, and Chris Wittyngham; analysts Andr s Agulla, Marcelo Balboa, Jes s Bracamontes, Calen Carr, Daniel Chapela, Tony Cherchi, Kyndra de St. Aubin, Vincent Destouches, Paul Dolan, Brian Dunseth, Maurice Edu, Danny Higginbotham, Ian Joy, Devon Kerr, Lori Lindsey, Heath Pearce, Walter Roque, Ross Smith, and Kacey White; and sideline reporter Michele Giannone. The biggest deviation from last year is that each set of teams will call the action live from its respective announce booths.

We thought having remote announcers worked well last year, says Bacon, but we understand the value of having these announcers closer to the match. This decision also gives them the ability to capture more content outside of those 90 minutes on the pitch.

Back With REMIs: NEP Group Supports Remote Workflows

In customary fashion, both MLS and Apple will rely on remote productions throughout the schedule. NEP Group will once again be providing onsite and remote support, and the final cut of these shows will be handled in two locations: hardware at WWE's headquarters in Stamford, CT, which is also the home of MLS's studio shows, and international distribution via IMG Studios in Stockley Park, London.

We're going to tie all this together to co

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/02/20/mls-kickoff-2026-as-fifa-mens-w...
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