Event watch guide
How to watch the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs: schedule, TV and stream
The Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs open with two Wild Card matches on November 19 and end with MLS Cup on December 18. Here is every announced match and where it airs.
Last updated · ~3 min read
First published with the Wild Card and Round One schedule and the Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX windows, checked against MLS and Apple. Game 3 times and later rounds are still TBD.
What channel are the 2026 MLS playoffs on?
The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs run November 19 to December 18, starting with Wild Card matches at 7:30 and 10 p.m. ET on November 19. FS1 and FOX Deportes carry select matches, and MLS Cup airs on FOX and FOX Deportes. Every match streams on Apple TV ($14.99 a month) with no blackouts. Game 3 times and later rounds are still TBD.
Step by step
- Get Apple TV for every match. An Apple TV subscription includes every MLS playoff match with no blackouts, at $14.99 a month after a free 7-day trial for new subscribers.
- Check for a linear window. Seven announced matches also air on FS1 and FOX Deportes, and MLS Cup airs on FOX and FOX Deportes. Find your match in the schedule above.
- Recheck the time on match week. Game 3 times and later rounds are TBD, and MLS says all dates and times are subject to change.
Quick FAQ
- What channel are the MLS playoffs on?
- Every match is on Apple TV. Select matches also air on FS1 and FOX Deportes, and MLS Cup airs on FOX and FOX Deportes. In Canada, select matches and MLS Cup air on TSN and RDS.
- When do the 2026 MLS playoffs start?
- Thursday, November 19, with Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati at 7:30 p.m. ET and Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake at 10 p.m. ET. Round One starts Saturday, November 21.
- When is MLS Cup 2026?
- Friday, December 18, at 8 or 9 p.m. ET on Apple TV, FOX and FOX Deportes. The league has not locked the kickoff or the host; the host is the finalist that finished higher in the Supporters' Shield standings.
- Which MLS playoff matches are on FS1?
- So far: Nashville SC vs. the East Wild Card winner, Chicago vs. Charlotte, St. Louis vs. LAFC, San Jose vs. Houston, Columbus vs. Inter Miami, the West Wild Card winner vs. Vancouver, and Portland vs. Dallas. Later rounds are TBD.
- Do I need a separate package to watch the MLS playoffs?
- No. MLS says all matches, the playoffs included, come with an Apple TV subscription at no additional cost and with no blackouts.
- Where can I watch a replay?
- Apple TV subscribers can choose Full Replay on past matches in the Apple TV app once a match ends, or a condensed Recap when it is ready.
Sources
- MLS • Schedule for Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One
- MLS • Playoffs field set and Wild Card schedule
- MLS • Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs schedule (round dates)
- MLS • Playoffs format and how it works
- Inter Miami CF • Round One schedule (Game 3 date)
- Columbus Crew • Round One schedule (Game 3 date)
- MLS • How to watch (Apple TV price and plan)
- Apple • Apple TV plans and pricing
- Apple Support • Watch MLS in the Apple TV app (replays)
When and where to watch
- Date
- November 19 to December 18, 2026
- Venue
- MLS club stadiums, opening at Inter.co Stadium, Orlando
- US TV and streaming
- Apple TV (every match), FS1 (select matches), FOX (MLS Cup), FOX Deportes (select matches and MLS Cup)
| What | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| East Wild Card: Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati, Inter.co Stadium | Thu, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| West Wild Card: Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake, Lumen Field | Thu, Nov. 19, 10 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 1: New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union, Gillette Stadium | Sat, Nov. 21, 2 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 1: FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers, Toyota Stadium | Sat, Nov. 21, 4 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 1: Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew, Nu Stadium | Sat, Nov. 21, 6 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 1: Nashville SC vs. East Wild Card winner, GEODIS Park | Sun, Nov. 22, 4 p.m. ET | Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes |
| Game 1: Chicago Fire vs. Charlotte FC, SeatGeek Stadium | Sun, Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes |
| Game 1: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. West Wild Card winner, BC Place | Sun, Nov. 22, 8:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 1: St. Louis CITY SC vs. LAFC, Energizer Park | Mon, Nov. 23, 8 p.m. ET | Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes |
| Game 1: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo, PayPal Park | Tue, Nov. 24, 10 p.m. ET | Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes |
| Game 2: Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami, ScottsMiracle-Gro Field | Fri, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. ET | Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes |
| Game 2: West Wild Card winner vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, Lumen Field or America First Field | Fri, Nov. 27, 10 p.m. ET | Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes |
| Game 2: Charlotte FC vs. Chicago Fire, Bank of America Stadium | Sat, Nov. 28, 12:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 2: Houston Dynamo vs. San Jose Earthquakes, Shell Energy Stadium | Sat, Nov. 28, 2:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 2: Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution, Subaru Park | Sat, Nov. 28, 4:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 2: East Wild Card winner vs. Nashville SC, Inter.co Stadium or TQL Stadium | Sat, Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 2: LAFC vs. St. Louis CITY SC, BMO Stadium | Sat, Nov. 28, 8:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV |
| Game 2: Portland Timbers vs. FC Dallas, Providence Park | Sat, Nov. 28, 10:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes |
MLS says every playoff match is on Apple TV with no blackouts, with English and Spanish commentary. Dates and times are subject to change.
Source: MLS • Schedule for Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One, checked .
- Cheapest service in Spot's price catalog that carries Apple TV (every match): Apple TV at $14.99/month.
- Cheapest service in Spot's price catalog that carries FS1 (select matches): FOX One at $19.99/month ($199.99/year).
MLS Cup and the matches still TBD
MLS Cup: Friday, December 18, at 8 or 9 p.m. ET on Apple TV, FOX and FOX Deportes in the US, and on Apple TV, TSN and RDS in Canada. The league has not locked the kickoff, and the host is the finalist that finished higher in the Supporters' Shield standings.
Game 3, if needed: MLS lists Wednesday, December 2, time TBD, on Apple TV, at the higher seed's stadium: GEODIS Park (Nashville), Nu Stadium (Inter Miami), Gillette Stadium (New England), SeatGeek Stadium (Chicago), BC Place (Vancouver), Toyota Stadium (Dallas), Energizer Park (St. Louis) and PayPal Park (San Jose). Inter Miami and Columbus say their Game 3 could be December 1 or 2.
Conference Semifinals: December 5-6. Conference Finals: December 11-12. Matchups, kickoff times and any TV windows beyond Apple TV are TBD.
How the bracket works
Orlando City host FC Cincinnati and Seattle host Real Salt Lake in single-elimination Wild Card matches. The East winner faces No. 1 seed Nashville SC, and the West winner faces No. 1 seed Vancouver.
Round One is best of three: the higher seed hosts Games 1 and 3, the lower seed hosts Game 2, and the first team to two wins advances. A Wild Card or Round One match tied after regulation goes straight to penalty kicks, with no extra time. From the Conference Semifinals on, a tied match plays two 15-minute extra-time periods before penalties.
Apple TV, FS1 and FOX
Apple TV is the one service that has every match. MLS says all matches are included with an Apple TV subscription at no additional cost, at $14.99 a month after a free 7-day trial for new subscribers. Each match has English and Spanish commentary, and fans in the US and Canada can pick their home team's radio call where available.
So far, FS1 and FOX Deportes have seven Round One matches, marked in the schedule above. Everything else announced through Game 2 is on Apple TV only in the US. The league also lists DIRECTV and Xfinity as places MLS matches are available.
Get Fubo Pro
This event airs on FS1 (select matches), which Fubo Pro lists. Fubo Pro lists ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Local stations and regional sports networks depend on your home ZIP, and Fubo does not carry every team's network.
$88.99/month before taxes. Fubo adds a regional sports fee of up to $16.99/month in some areas. Prices from Fubo, checked October 27, 2026.
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Outside the US
| What | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1: Nashville SC vs. East Wild Card winner | Sun, Nov. 22, 4 p.m. ET | Apple TV, TSN, RDS |
| Game 1: Chicago Fire vs. Charlotte FC | Sun, Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV, TSN, RDS |
| Game 1: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. West Wild Card winner | Sun, Nov. 22, 8:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV, TSN, RDS |
| Game 1: St. Louis CITY SC vs. LAFC | Mon, Nov. 23, 8 p.m. ET | Apple TV, TSN, RDS |
| Game 1: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo | Tue, Nov. 24, 10 p.m. ET | Apple TV, TSN, RDS |
| Game 2: Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami | Fri, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. ET | Apple TV, TSN, RDS |
| Game 2: Portland Timbers vs. FC Dallas | Sat, Nov. 28, 10:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV, TSN, RDS |
These are the matches the league lists on TSN and RDS so far, along with MLS Cup on December 18. Every match is on Apple TV. The league also lists Apple TV in more than 100 countries and regions.
Source: MLS • Schedule for Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One, checked .
Sources we checked
- MLS • Schedule for Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One, checked
- MLS • Playoffs field set and Wild Card schedule, checked
- MLS • Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs schedule (round dates), checked
- MLS • Playoffs format and how it works, checked
- Inter Miami CF • Round One schedule (Game 3 date), checked
- Columbus Crew • Round One schedule (Game 3 date), checked
- MLS • How to watch (Apple TV price and plan), checked
- Apple • Apple TV plans and pricing, checked
- Apple Support • Watch MLS in the Apple TV app (replays), checked
Cross-checked against Spot's own FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City SC listing, which showed no TV listing when this guide was written. Where the two differ, this page follows the rights holder.
Update log
- November 9, 2026: First published with the Wild Card and Round One schedule and the Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX windows, checked against MLS and Apple. Game 3 times and later rounds are still TBD.
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