How to Watch the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs on DIRECTV
The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs start with the Wild Card matches on Wednesday, November 18, and end with MLS Cup on Friday, December 18, in primetime. Every playoff match streams on Apple TV, and MLS is included with an Apple TV subscription at no extra cost. MLS Cup and select playoff games also air on FOX and FOX Deportes, which you get on DIRECTV.
The regular season wraps up with Decision Day on Saturday, November 7, and then the league pauses for the November international window before the playoffs begin. This is also the last time MLS Cup is played in December, before the league moves to a summer-to-spring calendar. Here's the full schedule and how to watch, as of October 23, 2026.
2026 MLS Cup Playoffs schedule
| Round | Dates | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Day (regular-season finale) | Sat., Nov. 7 | All 30 clubs play; East at 4 p.m. ET, West at 7 p.m. ET |
| Wild Card | Wed., Nov. 18 | No. 8 vs. No. 9 in each conference, one game |
| Round One, Game 1 | Fri., Nov. 20 to Tue., Nov. 24 | Best of three |
| Round One, Game 2 | Fri., Nov. 27 to Sat., Nov. 28 | Best of three |
| Round One, Game 3 (if needed) | Tue., Dec. 1 to Wed., Dec. 2 | Best of three |
| Conference Semifinals | Sat., Dec. 5 to Sun., Dec. 6 | One game |
| Conference Finals | Fri., Dec. 11 to Sat., Dec. 12 | One game |
| MLS Cup | Fri., Dec. 18 (primetime) | One game, hosted by the finalist with the better regular-season record |
Eighteen teams make it: the top nine in each conference. Seeds 1 through 7 go straight to Round One, and the Wild Card winners face their conference's No. 1 seed. A tied Wild Card match goes straight to a penalty shootout with no extra time. MLS says dates are subject to change, and the full bracket and broadcast details come once the regular season ends.
How to watch the MLS playoffs on DIRECTV
Every match is on the Apple TV app, with English and Spanish commentary, and U.S. and Canadian fans can switch to their home team's radio call where it's available. MLS lists DIRECTV among the places to watch, and the simplest setup is the Apple TV app on a DIRECTV Gemini device, which runs streaming apps right next to your live channels. A smart TV, streaming stick or Apple device works too. Our page on MLS and Apple on DIRECTV has the background on that partnership.
For the games on broadcast TV, MLS Cup and select playoff matches air on FOX, so you can watch on your local FOX station. Look up what channel FOX is in your area. The Spanish-language broadcasts are on FOX Deportes, DIRECTV channel 465.
| Where | What it carries | How to get it with DIRECTV |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV | Every playoff match and MLS Cup | Apple TV app on a DIRECTV Gemini device or other streaming device |
| FOX | MLS Cup and select playoff matches | Your local FOX station |
| FOX Deportes | MLS Cup and select matches in Spanish | DIRECTV channel 465 |
How much does Apple TV cost for MLS?
Apple ended the separate MLS Season Pass after 2025, and since the 2026 season, every MLS match comes with an Apple TV subscription. Apple TV costs $14.99 a month in the U.S. after the August 2026 price increase. That one subscription covers the whole postseason, with no blackouts on the Apple TV app. For more on what else Apple streams, see our guide to sports on Apple TV.
The MLS Cup winner also earns a bye into the Round of 16 of the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and a spot in the 2027 Campeones Cup.
Frequently asked questions
When do the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs start?
The playoffs start with the Wild Card matches on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Round One begins Friday, November 20.
When is MLS Cup 2026?
MLS Cup is Friday, December 18, 2026, in primetime, hosted by the finalist with the better regular-season record.
What channel are the MLS playoffs on?
Every match streams on Apple TV. MLS Cup and select playoff matches also air on FOX and FOX Deportes, which is DIRECTV channel 465.
Can I watch the MLS playoffs on DIRECTV?
Yes. Use the Apple TV app on a DIRECTV Gemini device for every match, and your local FOX station or FOX Deportes for the matches on TV.
Do I need MLS Season Pass for the 2026 playoffs?
No. MLS Season Pass ended after 2025, and the playoffs are included with a regular Apple TV subscription.
Want FOX, FOX Deportes and your local channels for MLS Cup night? Call 1-855-690-9884 to check DIRECTV packages at your address.