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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Subscribers can also follow their favorite club—Atlanta United—to receive personalized updates and game highlights.
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:
The app syncs across signed-in devices, so fans can start watching on an iPad and finish on a smart TV without losing progress.
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.
No other platform matches the completeness of MLS Season Pass for Atlanta United coverage. The service includes:
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.
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.
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:
This function only applies to matches aired via standard DIRECTV programming. It does not include content streamed through third-party apps.
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.
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.
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.
©2025 American TV. All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: All rights reserved. AmericanTV.com is a website for research and comparison as such, falls under "Fair Use". AmericanTV.com does not provide directly phone, TV, and internet service. All trademarks, logos, etc. remain the property of their respective owners and are used by AmericanTV.com only to describe products and services offered by each respective trademark holder. The use of any third party trademarks on this site in no way indicates any relationship between AmericanTV.com and the holders of said trademarks, nor any endorsement of AmericanTV.com by the holders of said trademarks.
We are here 24/7 to answer all of your TV + Internet Questions:
1-855-690-9884
1-855-690-9884