MLS Opening Weekend Momentum Carries into Viewership and Social
Published on February 26, 2026 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
(NEW YORK) - Major League Soccer's record-setting start to the 2026 season extended beyond packed stadiums and into viewership. Following the highest Opening Weekend attendance in league history, MLS delivered 9.7 million live match viewers across linear and streaming platforms, a 59% year-over-year increase to open the campaign.
The strong viewership performance spanned Apple TV, U.S. and Canada linear and additional international distribution partners, underscoring growing demand for MLS matches to begin the season.
Social platforms delivered similarly strong growth to open the 2026 campaign:
MLS and club social channels garnered a 22% increase year over year.
113,000 views on the MLS TikTok Live pregame streamOpening Weekend attendance reached 387,271 fans, marking:
The highest MLS Opening Weekend attendance in league history
The highest single match-weekend total ever
The milestone weekend was highlighted by 75,673 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for Inter Miami CF vs. LAFC, the second-largest standalone crowd in MLS history.MLS returns for Week 2 with a full slate of matches, highlighted by Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC in the Walmart Saturday Showdown at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV. The weekend also features Inter Miami CF traveling to face Orlando City SC on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire at 7:00 pm (EST) on Apple TV, as the early-season momentum continues across marquee matchups. All MLS and Leagues Cup matches can be watched on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com, and features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans.
Major League Soccer Stories from February 26, 2026
- Inter Miami CF Caps off Champions Tour with Win over Independiente Del Valle in Packed Stadium in Puerto Rico - Inter Miami CF
- Union advance to Cocacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 against Club América - Philadelphia Union
- Japan Selects Nashville SC's Training Center for FIFA World Cup 26™ Base Camp - Nashville SC
- Get to Know San Diego Native Duran Ferree - San Diego FC
- LA Galaxy Academy Product Ryan Hartley Signs with Italian Side Parma Calcio 1913 - LA Galaxy
- Minnesota United Announces Schedule Updates for Three Matches - Minnesota United FC
- Nothing Like a Strong First Impression: Bryan Ramirez Makes his Mark in MLS Debut - FC Cincinnati
- MLS Opening Weekend Momentum Carries into Viewership and Social - MLS
- Houston Dynamo FC Announce Live Match Commentary for Home Matches in the All-New HDFC Soccer App - Houston Dynamo FC
- San Diego FC Re-Signs Goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega - San Diego FC
- Minnesota United Loans Goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich to Brooklyn FC - Minnesota United FC
- St. Louis CITY SC Sign Forward Simon Becher to Contract Extension - St. Louis City SC
- FC Cincinnati Advance in Concacaf Champions Cup with Record Setting 9-0 Second Leg Victory Versus O&M FC - FC Cincinnati
- LA Galaxy Advance to Round of 16 in 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup - LA Galaxy
- 'Caps move on to face Seattle in the Round of 16 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Whitecaps FC Advance to Face Rivals Seattle in Concacaf Champions Cup - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
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