How to watch Atlanta United on DirecTV 2025

Atlanta United launched its Major League Soccer journey in 2017 and rapidly became one of the league’s biggest draws, winning the MLS Cup just two seasons later. With packed stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and a style of play that commands attention, the club continues to captivate fans both in Atlanta and across the country.

Whether you're a dedicated supporter in Georgia or a soccer enthusiast from afar, catching Atlanta United live is a priority. DIRECTV remains one of the primary ways to watch MLS matches, but with changing rights deals and streaming integrations, understanding where and how to tune in has become more complex.

This comprehensive guide walks you through the exact channels Atlanta United games appear on, streaming options tied to your DIRECTV subscription, blackout restrictions based on location, and how to get the most from your viewing setup.

Track Every Kickoff: The Atlanta United FC Game Schedule

Where to Find the Full Fixture List

Accurate scheduling makes all the difference when planning to follow Atlanta United throughout the Major League Soccer season. For the most reliable and updated game information, check the official MLS schedule or visit Atlanta United’s official website. Both platforms provide the complete match lineup, including dates, kickoff times, opponents, and results once available.

These schedules often include additional context such as special theme nights, community events, and whether the match is part of regular league play or tournaments like the Leagues Cup or U.S. Open Cup.

Home vs. Away Game Broadcasting Details

Broadcasting rights differ by location, and understanding the distinction between home and away matches is key. Home matches are generally managed through national broadcasters or MLS’s designated streaming platforms, depending on contractual agreements. Away games, on the other hand, may feature varied broadcast arrangements depending on the opposing team’s media deals and stadium setup.

DIRECTV subscribers can typically expect consistency when Atlanta United plays at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On the road, programming may vary based on network contracts or regional sports broadcasting teams covering the match.

Language Availability on English Broadcasts

MLS offers English-language broadcasts for all Atlanta United games on nationally televised channels and through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. DIRECTV mirrors this, providing English-language feeds whenever such programming rights are held. Spanish-language options are also often provided on alternate channels, but the English feed remains the default for MLS coverage on national networks.

Understanding DIRECTV’s Role in MLS Broadcasting Rights

MLS Broadcast Landscape: Who Holds the Rights?

Major League Soccer restructured its media distribution model starting with the 2023 season. Instead of a multi-network approach, the league signed a 10-year exclusive global broadcasting agreement with Apple TV. This deal marked a complete shift away from traditional linear TV dependence toward a centralized streaming-first strategy.

The agreement, valued at $2.5 billion over a decade, introduced the MLS Season Pass, a subscription-based streaming service housed within the Apple TV app. Every single MLS match, including regular season games, Leagues Cup fixtures, and select MLS Next and MLS Next Pro contests, now streams live through this platform—without regional blackouts.

FOX Sports: Limited Traditional TV Coverage

Despite Apple’s exclusive rights, MLS made provisions for select matches to air on linear television. Enter FOX Sports. Under a separate arrangement, FOX carries a curated slate of games on FOX, FS1, and FOX Deportes. These broadcasts include a small number of Atlanta United fixtures during the regular season, along with playoff games involving multiple teams. The 2023 FOX schedule included 34 regular-season matches and up to 10 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs games.

However, no ESPN or regional sports networks are involved. In previous years, Atlanta United games aired locally on Bally Sports South or Bally Sports Southeast—those arrangements no longer exist post-2022.

How DIRECTV Subscribers Are Affected

DIRECTV continues to carry FOX, FS1, and FOX Deportes, so subscribers can watch the selected nationally televised MLS games, including Atlanta United matches aired on those channels. That said, the majority of Atlanta’s games do not appear on any traditional broadcast network. Without an MLS Season Pass subscription via Apple TV, most DIRECTV customers will miss extensive coverage.

DIRECTV has no direct integration with Apple TV at this time. Subscribers need a separate Apple TV-compatible device such as an Apple TV 4K, Smart TV with the Apple TV app, or another streaming device (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, etc.) to access all Atlanta United content through MLS Season Pass.

In summary, DIRECTV plays a supporting role—carrying FOX Sports networks—but the broadcaster no longer delivers comprehensive MLS access as it once did. For full Atlanta United coverage, DIRECTV subscribers must look beyond their satellite package.

TV Channels for Watching Atlanta United on DIRECTV

National Broadcasts on FOX and FS1

When Atlanta United matches receive national coverage, FOX and FS1 typically hold the broadcast rights. For DIRECTV subscribers, FOX is available on channel 360, while FS1 can be found on channel 219. These games feature high production value, nationally recognized commentators, and broader storylines tailored for a league-wide audience. Atlanta United matches selected for national coverage often include marquee matchups and rivalry games.

Regional Sports Networks: Changing Landscape

In previous seasons, Bally Sports South provided regional coverage of Atlanta United fixtures. The channel served as a go-to hub for fans in the Southeast, offering commentary and features tailored specifically to the club's local fanbase. However, as of the latest 2024 broadcasting agreements, Bally Sports South no longer guarantees Atlanta United coverage. DIRECTV viewers in the Atlanta region should confirm RSN availability and check whether any local providers continue to carry these matches.

Enhance Coverage with DIRECTV Sports Pack

Subscribers looking for broader access to specialty sports channels can expand their lineup using the DIRECTV Sports Pack. This add-on includes over 35 channels, featuring sports-focused stations that may occasionally simulcast MLS content or offer in-depth analysis and replays. While it doesn't guarantee Atlanta United game broadcasts, it enhances access to auxiliary content such as studio shows, highlight reels, and discussion panels that provide deeper insight into team performance and league trends.

• FOX (Channel 360): Carries select Atlanta United games with national exposure.
• FS1 (Channel 219): Hosts high-profile MLS broadcasts, including playoff matches.
• Regional availability varies: Check local listings for RSNs still affiliated with MLS teams.
• DIRECTV Sports Pack: Offers additional soccer-related content across a robust sports channel lineup.

Streaming Atlanta United Matches: Going Beyond Satellite

MLS Season Pass on Apple TV: Your Gateway to Every Match

DIRECTV doesn't include streaming access to Atlanta United games through its base subscription or any premium sports add-ons. To get full coverage of every match, turn to the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. This platform carries every single MLS game — including playoffs and Leagues Cup — without blackouts. All matches stream in English and Spanish, and selected games include commentary from French broadcasters as well.

The subscription costs $14.99 per month or $99 per season, but Apple TV+ subscribers pay slightly less: $12.99 per month or $79 per season. Paying for the full season upfront delivers savings, especially if you follow a team like Atlanta United throughout the full campaign.

Accessing the Apple TV App on Streaming Devices

MLS Season Pass is available exclusively on the Apple TV app, but you don’t need an Apple device to use it. Owners of smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio can download the app directly. It’s also compatible with:

• Amazon Fire TV
• Roku devices
• PlayStation and Xbox consoles
• Apple TV 4K or HD
• Google TV and Chromecast

Already have DIRECTV and a connected device? Use your current setup to bridge traditional broadcasting with seamless streaming. That combination creates access to more content without needing to upgrade your provider package.

Stream Independently or Supplement DIRECTV

DIRECTV customers often add an Apple TV subscription to cover all MLS matches. This hybrid approach gives you access to linear TV coverage when available, while ensuring you won’t miss nationally exclusive or out-of-market games. DIRECTV continues to carry nationally televised matches on FS1 and FOX, but only Apple’s MLS Season Pass includes every regular-season Atlanta United fixture from start to finish.

Expand Your Coverage with the DIRECTV Sports Pack and Subscription Options

What’s Included in the DIRECTV Sports Pack

The DIRECTV Sports Pack offers a bundle of over 40 regional and specialty sports networks. With this add-on, subscribers unlock access to programming that goes beyond the standard offerings, including niche leagues, college sports, international competitions, and supplemental MLS coverage.

Included in the pack are channels such as:

• Altitude Sports
• YES Network
• NBC Sports Chicago
• Bally Sports regional networks (dependent on location)
• MSG, NESN, and ROOT Sports networks
• Comprehensive college sports via Big Ten Network, SEC Network, and Pac-12 Networks

Gain Access to Regional Sports Networks (Location Determines Availability)

DIRECTV’s Sports Pack integrates access to multiple regional sports networks (RSNs), but availability shifts based on ZIP code. For instance, a subscriber in Atlanta may receive Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast as long as those networks fall within the local coverage zone.

If an RSN doesn’t have broadcasting rights in a customer’s market, the content may be blacked out, even if the channel appears in the guide. These regional exclusivities, governed by league and team contracts, determine which matches and teams can be shown live.

How the Sports Pack Enhances Atlanta United Viewing

While Atlanta United’s matches reside primarily on national MLS broadcast partners or on MLS Season Pass, the Sports Pack unlocks a valuable layer of supplemental content. Expect pregame analysis, behind-the-scenes features, in-depth interviews, replays, and press conference coverage from RSNs that partner with MLS affiliates.

Some Sports Pack networks also air coverage of Atlanta United’s Eastern Conference rivals. Tracking playoff competitors, scouting upcoming matches, and replaying key fixtures from around the league become far easier with expanded access.

Looking to explore the broader world of soccer while following Atlanta United? The Sports Pack includes channels that occasionally carry international leagues, youth tournaments, and national team friendlies—as well as insight-driven studio shows that keep the entire soccer landscape in focus.

Accessing Local Channels on DIRECTV in Atlanta

Local FOX Affiliates on DIRECTV: How to Get Them

In the Atlanta market, DIRECTV includes local FOX affiliates such as WAGA-TV (FOX 5 Atlanta) in its base programming packages. Subscribers can access this channel directly without requiring any add-ons or upgrades. These local stations broadcast a selection of nationally televised MLS matches throughout the season, including games featuring Atlanta United when selected for national coverage.

DIRECTV uses your receiver's ZIP code and access card to determine local channel availability. Since WAGA-TV is part of the standard offering in metro Atlanta, customers within the designated market area (DMA) receive it automatically upon activation of service with an Atlanta-based address.

Why Local FOX Matters for MLS Fans

FOX holds national broadcasting rights for a portion of the MLS schedule. When Atlanta United is featured in one of those games, it often airs on FOX Sunday afternoon slots or during marquee matchups. These aren’t included in regional sports networks or streaming-only options—viewers in Atlanta must have access to WAGA-TV to watch these broadcasts live on DIRECTV.

Unlike FOX Sports 1 (FS1), which comes bundled in many mid-tier packages, the local FOX affiliate may only be available based on geographic eligibility. National games will not be accessible if your receiver is set to a ZIP code outside of the DMA, even with the appropriate base package.

Using DIRECTV’s Local Channel Lookup Tool

To confirm local coverage, use DIRECTV’s official Local Channel Lookup Tool. Entering your ZIP code generates a detailed list of local affiliates—including FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, and local independents—available through your package.

• Visit directv.com/channel-lineup/
• Scroll to the “Local Channels” section
• Enter your residential ZIP code linked to your DIRECTV service
• Review the complete listing, including channel numbers and station names

If WAGA-TV does not appear in your list and you're within the Atlanta media market, check the address registered to your receiver or contact DIRECTV customer support. Small discrepancies in ZIP code designation can affect access to local networks integral for MLS viewing.

Understanding Blackout Restrictions and Viewing Limitations for Atlanta United Games

What Are Blackout Rules and Why Do They Exist?

Blackout rules apply when a game is broadcast locally to protect the rights of regional sports networks (RSNs). For Atlanta United matches, these restrictions often apply when the game is available on a regional network like Bally Sports South or Bally Sports Southeast. If you're in the designated local viewing area, a national or out-of-market broadcast may be blacked out to encourage viewership via the local channel.

How These Rules Affect Fans in Georgia and the Southeast

Atlanta United fans located in Georgia — particularly those in the greater Atlanta region — face blackout restrictions most often. Viewers in neighboring states within the Bally Sports market footprint, such as Alabama, South Carolina, and parts of Tennessee, may also experience similar limitations, depending on the coverage zones defined by the network.

Differences in Blackouts Between Satellite and Streaming

Blackout enforcement differs between satellite and streaming. On DIRECTV satellite service, blackouts occur based on ZIP code and market eligibility. If a match is blacked out on a national DIRECTV channel, viewers within the local market must watch via their RSN. On streaming platforms like the DIRECTV app or Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, blackout restrictions use geolocation data; if your IP address places you inside the blackout zone, access to the stream will be blocked.

Solutions and Workarounds to Bypass Viewing Limits

• MLS Season Pass: Subscribers outside of the blackout region can watch every Atlanta United match live and on demand via Apple TV. Inside the blackout region, however, local games may be unavailable until after the live window concludes.
• Off-Market Viewing Options: Fans traveling or living outside of the club’s defined local market can freely watch blacked-out matches through the national MLS broadcast feed or the MLS Season Pass without restrictions.
• Access via Local RSNs: When a game is blacked out on national or streaming platforms, tuning in to Bally Sports South or Bally Sports Southeast on DIRECTV within the local market will provide access to the live broadcast.

Ever tried tuning in to a match only to find it's blacked out? Knowing your location’s broadcast rules and having alternative access lined up ensures you don’t miss a minute of Atlanta United’s action.

Streaming Atlanta United with MLS Season Pass and Apple TV

Step-by-Step: Subscribe to MLS Season Pass

Subscribing to MLS Season Pass through Apple TV+ delivers access to every Atlanta United match—home and away—without blackout restrictions. Here's how to get started:

• Open the Apple TV app on your device, or visit tv.apple.com.
• Sign in with your Apple ID. If you don’t have one, create an account.
• Navigate to the MLS Season Pass section, visible on the home screen during the MLS season.
• Select Subscribe. Choose between a full-season package or monthly billing.
• Confirm payment through your Apple account. Once complete, you'll gain instant access to live and on-demand games.

Subscribers can also follow their favorite club—Atlanta United—to receive personalized updates and game highlights.

Compatible Devices for Apple TV App

The Apple TV app isn't limited to Apple hardware. It runs smoothly across a broad range of platforms, giving fans flexibility in how they watch:

• Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV streaming boxes
• Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Sony models manufactured in the past 4–5 years
• Streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV-equipped Chromecast
• Gaming consoles: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One
• Web browsers: Any desktop or laptop with an updated browser via tv.apple.com

The app syncs across signed-in devices, so fans can start watching on an iPad and finish on a smart TV without losing progress.

Differences Between Traditional TV and Streaming Experience

Watching through the Apple TV app with MLS Season Pass differs significantly from traditional DIRECTV broadcasts. No regional blackouts mean all Atlanta United games become accessible, regardless of geography. The stream offers multiple camera angles, English and Spanish commentary, and a consistent schedule free of channel switching or rescheduling due to network conflicts.

Streaming also enables on-demand replays, game highlights, and a condensed match view—features unavailable on live TV. For fans with varied schedules, that flexibility delivers uninterrupted support for the team.

Why MLS Season Pass Offers the Most Comprehensive Access

No other platform matches the completeness of MLS Season Pass for Atlanta United coverage. The service includes:

• Every regular season and playoff game with zero blackouts
• Pre-match and post-match coverage tailored by club
• Full access to match replays and weekly highlight packages
• Streaming quality up to 1080p with adaptive resolution
• Multi-language support: English, Spanish, and occasionally French

For supporters who need to follow every attack, save, and goal, without restrictions or missed moments, MLS Season Pass through Apple TV+ remains the most complete solution available.

How to Record Atlanta United Matches on Your DIRECTV DVR

Using the Genie DVR to Capture Live Match Action

DIRECTV subscribers using the Genie or other supported DVR models can record Atlanta United matches aired on traditional channels like FOX, FS1, or local affiliates. Once the schedule is released each season, the fastest way to set up recordings is through your on-screen program guide—simply locate an upcoming game and press the record button on your remote.

For viewers following more than one team or league, the Genie DVR also supports simultaneous recordings, making it possible to capture an Atlanta United game while also recording other MLS or international matches airing on different channels.

Automating Game Coverage with Series Recordings

For consistent coverage throughout the MLS season, series recording is the most efficient option. Once a series is set, the DVR will automatically record all Atlanta United games broadcast on select channels. Here’s how to enable it:

• Go to the program guide and find a scheduled Atlanta United match on channels like FOX or FS1.
• Highlight the listing and press the record button twice—this activates series recording.
• Use the recording options menu to adjust preferences such as start/end times or episode limits.

This function only applies to matches aired via standard DIRECTV programming. It does not include content streamed through third-party apps.

What You Can’t Record: Streaming from Apple TV

When Atlanta United plays on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, those streams cannot be recorded using a DIRECTV DVR. DIRECTV does not integrate with Apple’s content delivery system, and the DVR functions only with satellite or compatible on-demand broadcasts.

If you want to rewatch a match streamed on Apple TV, you’ll need to use Apple’s built-in replay features. Full match replays are typically available shortly after the live broadcast concludes.

Your Complete Guide to Watching Atlanta United on DIRECTV

Catch Every Atlanta United Match with the Right Setup

Following Atlanta United throughout the MLS season on DIRECTV requires a simple but strategic mix of channels, subscriptions, and streaming access points. No matter where you watch—at home in Georgia or from elsewhere in the country—DIRECTV offers multiple ways to follow the Five Stripes every week.

• FOX and FS1: Nationally televised matches air on these networks, both of which are included in DIRECTV’s Choice package and higher tiers. Highlights include marquee matchups, rivalry games, and playoff coverage.
• MLS Season Pass: For complete coverage, including every regular season game, postseason match, and Leagues Cup fixture, a subscription to MLS Season Pass is required. This is available exclusively through the Apple TV app, which works seamlessly alongside DIRECTV.
• Apple TV Streaming: Out-of-market games and exclusive streams that aren’t carried on TV air here. Use Apple TV for full access when traveling or when a game isn’t broadcast on traditional sports channels.
• DIRECTV Sports Pack: This optional bundle adds regional and specialty sports programming, which may include bonus soccer content alongside NHL, college football, and MLB broadcasts.

Maximize Your Atlanta United Viewing Experience

Set up match reminders using your DIRECTV DVR. Record and re-watch key games to review strategy and relive dramatic finishes. If you're located within regional blackout zones, double check with MLS and DIRECTV blackout guidelines to ensure access via streaming or alternate coverage.

Ready to follow the entire season?

Subscribe to MLS Season Pass and check your DIRECTV plan today to make sure you’re not missing a single Atlanta United goal. Whether you cheer from downtown Atlanta or across the U.S., make game day part of your weekly TV lineup.

End Notes

• Major League Soccer (MLS), Atlanta United FC, Apple TV, and DIRECTV are trademarks of their respective owners.
• Broadcast schedules and availability are subject to change. Always confirm with official platforms and providers.