The event will be streamed free and broadcast live in three languages
In what has been called the MLS’s “Caitlin Clark must-see-TV moment,” this weekend’s MLS Cup production will be the largest in the league’s history. With global icon Lionel Messi taking the pitch at Fort Lauderdale, FL’s Chase Stadium on Saturday, MLS, Apple, and production-services partner NEP are pulling out all the stops — including deploying iPhones for game coverage — in what’s expected to be one of the league’s most-watched games ever.
“Without question, this will be the biggest production we’ve ever had on an MLS match — MLS Cup or otherwise,” says Seth Bacon, EVP, media, Major League Soccer. “The number of cameras and level or production resources we’re deploying is an indication of the growth that we’ve had, both as a league and as a production company. We want to take all the innovations that we’ve built over the course of the year and make them come to life in the biggest moment here at MLS Cup.”
The busy MLS Cup compound at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL
In addition to streaming free on Apple TV, the match will be broadcast on FOX, FOX Deportes, RDS in Canada (in French), and TNT in Mexico. With Messi leading Inter Miami against one of the league’s other major stars, Thomas Müller, and the Vancouver Whitecaps, many expect record viewership numbers for the most expansive MLS Cup presentation to date.
“We will be lucky enough to have the eyes of the entire soccer world on us, with the FIFA World Cup Draw on Friday and Messi going out to win a trophy on Saturday in a phenomenal matchup,” Bacon says. “This is a huge moment for a league and one we’ve all been waiting for. And, because of the infrastructure and momentum and team that we’ve built [at MLS…