MLS Season Pass on Apple TV to debut new studio at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Conn.
Major League Soccer and IMG announce an expanded broadcast partnership
New York, N.Y. (January 27, 2025) – Leading up to the 2025 season, Major League Soccer (MLS) today announced its latest broadcast studio plans and evolution of MLS Productions, the media and broadcast production arm of the league. In the new year, MLS Productions will advance its capabilities, create efficiencies, broaden content offerings, and centralize its broadcast content and graphics.
To advance its extensive and robust broadcast operation, MLS and IMG will enter a multiyear partnership renewal that expands and builds upon their existing broadcast production relationship. IMG, a global sports industry leader, will continue to produce live match and studio productions and programming for more than 600 annual games on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
As part of the extended partnership, MLS Productions will move to WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Conn. WWE’s brand-new, state-of-the-art production facility – The Studios at WWE – features best-in-class production offerings and new cutting-edge technology to further elevate the production of MLS Season Pass. It will serve as the dynamic hub for popular MLS live studio programming and content in English and Spanish. The new location for MLS Season Pass will enable MLS Productions to add programming in the new season.
The facility is bespoke and engineered towards the needs of MLS Productions, and the studio enables centralized solutions across the MLS workflow. The WWE facility is part of TKO Group Holdings, which recently reached an agreement with Endeavor to acquire IMG, in a transaction expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.
“The debut of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV has been remarkable for fans around the world to be able to consume all MLS games and content,” said, Seth Bacon, Executive Vice President, Media, MLS. “With the incredible momentum and excitement around the league, we are thrilled to further our partnership with IMG to support our vision of elevating production, creating new viewing opportunities, and pushing the sports broadcast landscape into the future.”
“Together with MLS and Apple, we have set a new standard for the MLS viewing experience, creating a new era of entertaining, highly engaging content for football fans globally,” said Barney Francis, EVP, Studios, IMG. “Over the coming years, we will continue to innovate with cutting-edge technology and creativity, powered by our incredible new home, The Studios at WWE, and IMG’s industry-leading production experience and capabilities.”
“We have long admired the tremendous MLS-IMG partnership – and the fantastic product and results it has generated over the years,” said Lee Fitting, EVP, Media & Production, WWE. “We believe that WWE’s new state-of-the-art facilities will help take their collective capabilities to even greater heights.”
The Studios at WWE is a 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility equipped with five studios with the latest technologies, wide-ranging production amenities, and highlighted by an awe-inspiring virtual production stage.
In 2023, MLS and Apple debuted the game-changing global streaming service, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, transforming the fan experience by creating a platform where every MLS match is available for fans around the world in a single destination. Together with its production partners IMG and NEP, MLS Season Pass has brought best-in-class production, more expansive coverage and increased global visibility, surpassing expectations in its first two years.
IMG produces content for some of the world’s biggest leagues and events, including the Premier League, English Football League, Saudi Pro League, CBS’ UEFA Champions League and Europa League coverage, UFC, DP World Tour, The Ryder Cup, and The Open Championship.
MLS Season Pass is a true collaboration between MLS, Apple, IMG, and NEP with a shared goal of putting fans first. Details of the new capabilities and enhanced programming will be unveiled during the start of the new season.
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 30th season in 2025 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego making its debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available 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. Fans can also access MLS Season Pass from the Apple TV app on Apple Vision Pro, where they can watch games alongside other apps in their physical space; within an Environment, so the screen feels 100 feet wide; and in Spatial Audio for an even more immersive viewing experience. MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app .
About IMG
IMG is an industry-leading global sports marketing agency, specializing in media rights management and sales, multi-channel content production and distribution, brand partnerships, digital services, and events management. It powers growth of revenues, fanbases and IP for more than 200 federations, associations, events, and teams, including the National Football League, English Premier League, International Olympic Committee, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, ATP and WTA Tours, the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (Wimbledon), EuroLeague Basketball, DP World Tour, and The R&A, as well as UFC, WWE, and PBR. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.
