The Philadelphia Union compete in the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season, which typically spans from late February through mid-October. Teams play 34 matches—17 at home, 17 away—giving fans weekly opportunities to tune in. However, game times vary, especially when factoring in national TV broadcasts and flex scheduling. To avoid missing kickoff, always refer to both the official MLS schedule and the Philadelphia Union’s official website for the most accurate and updated match listings.
Philadelphia sits in the Eastern Time Zone (ET), which influences game times announced on national schedules. A match listed at 7:30 PM ET starts at that local time in Philadelphia, but people watching from other parts of the country—say, in Dallas (CT) or Los Angeles (PT)—must adjust accordingly. Keeping time zones in mind ensures you never tune in late to a high-stakes, second-half moment.
DIRECTV assigns specific numbers to its lineup of sports networks, making it easier to locate Philadelphia Union coverage when games are nationally broadcast. Here’s where to start:
Nationally televised Major League Soccer (MLS) games featuring the Philadelphia Union often appear on these major sports broadcasters. FS1, ESPN, and FOX frequently carry MLS regular season and playoff matchups. TUDN adds bilingual coverage for select games, expanding your viewing options.
DIRECTV integrates an on-screen electronic program guide designed to keep sports fans tuned in to live and upcoming events. To locate a Philadelphia Union match:
The DIRECTV interface also flags live events and games airing soon, so keep an eye out for the soccer icon or game-day notifications.
The DIRECTV mobile app extends access to Philadelphia Union broadcast details from anywhere. With real-time access to programming information:
The app syncs with your DVR and live TV feed, giving immediate control over what—and where—you watch.
DIRECTV makes it relatively simple to customize your sports offerings. To add a package that includes MLS coverage and Philadelphia Union games:
Once added, updates usually take effect within minutes, and new channels will populate automatically in your guide.
The most relevant package for Philadelphia Union fans is the DIRECTV Sports Pack. It provides access to over 40 regional and specialty sports networks, including outlets that frequently air MLS matches and related programming.
If you’re subscribed to CHOICE package or higher, some RSNs may be automatically included without needing to add the Sports Pack separately.
The DIRECTV Sports Pack typically costs $13.99 per month as an add-on. This fee appears on your monthly bill in addition to your base package subscription. RSNs like NBC Sports Philadelphia are subject to geographic availability. Entering your ZIP code during the subscription process confirms whether your location supports the RSNs that broadcast Union games.
Not all markets receive the same RSNs, so subscribers outside of the Philadelphia region may need alternative access through national broadcasts or MLS Season Pass, which is covered in later sections.
Prior to the 2023 season, local Philadelphia Union matches were broadcast on regional sports networks with additional coverage on local affiliates. This model allowed fans within the Greater Philadelphia area to follow their team through channels like PHL17 or NBC Sports Philadelphia. Games airing locally were typically supplemented by live pre-game and post-game shows, offering extended coverage that catered to the club’s fanbase.
In 2023, Major League Soccer signed a 10-year global streaming agreement with Apple, altering how all MLS content, including Philadelphia Union matches, is distributed. With this MLS–Apple deal in effect, every single game is available through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, regardless of geographic location.
This agreement eliminates local broadcasting exclusivity—Philadelphia Union fans no longer need to rely on local TV schedules or regional availability. Whether watching from South Philly or out of state, the viewing experience remains consistent, and language options (including English, Spanish, and occasionally French) are standardized within the platform.
Certain MLS matches—typically marquee fixtures or rivalry games—receive additional national coverage. These can air on major networks such as FOX, FS1, or Univision, depending on the league's broadcasting arrangements for that season. When that happens, games still stream on the MLS Season Pass, but availability on these networks creates opportunities for viewers who prefer traditional TV over streaming platforms.
In this new ecosystem, the distinction between local and national coverage largely disappears, replaced by a uniform, subscription-based experience. However, legacy networks continue to carry select matches—so checking both the Apple TV MLS schedule and DIRECTV’s program guide ensures nothing is missed.
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) once formed the backbone of local MLS coverage. In the Philadelphia area, NBC Sports Philadelphia previously served as the televised home for Philadelphia Union matches. The network broadcast a mix of live games, pre-match analysis, and post-game breakdowns. Commentary teams brought familiarity and regional insight that resonated with the local fanbase.
This arrangement began shifting after Major League Soccer centralized its media rights. In 2023, MLS signed a long-term global partnership with Apple Inc., effectively ending individual club agreements with regional broadcasters. This means NBC Sports Philadelphia and similar RSNs across other markets no longer carry live MLS games. Instead, every league match streams through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Although RSNs like NBC Sports Philadelphia no longer air live Philadelphia Union matches, they haven’t been erased from the soccer media ecosystem. These networks still offer supplementary coverage tied to the Union, including:
This transition reflects a broader shift in how regional sports media integrates into a streaming-first ecosystem, aligning local brand familiarity with national streaming platforms. Philadelphia Union supporters who follow NBC Sports Philadelphia can still find value in the network’s Union-related content, even though it no longer serves as the primary broadcaster for live matches.
MLS Season Pass has reshaped how fans watch Major League Soccer—from the very first matchday to the MLS Cup Playoffs. Launched through a partnership between MLS and Apple, this subscription service offers every game from every team, including the Philadelphia Union, in one centralized location. No blackouts. No separate regional streams. Just high-quality broadcasts available globally.
Unlike traditional TV packages, the MLS Season Pass includes:
Directv provides access to national broadcasts on FOX Sports networks and selected simulcasts. But for full-season coverage—including matches not picked up by national broadcasters—you’ll need MLS Season Pass. This matters for Philadelphia Union fans looking to catch every fixture in the schedule, both home and away.
Consider this: if just nine Union games air on FOX or FS1 throughout the year, MLS Season Pass covers the other 25+ games that DIRECTV doesn’t offer. That includes Leagues Cup matches, MLS Next Pro content, and featured club content, all exclusive to the platform.
How often do you want to miss a home fixture because of market exclusivity? With MLS Season Pass, that never happens.
Apple TV hosts the exclusive MLS Season Pass, the only platform to stream every Philadelphia Union match live, without blackouts. All regular season games, playoffs, and Leagues Cup matches are included. There’s no need for an additional cable subscription or regional sports add-on—once subscribed, viewers gain full access to all MLS content directly through the Apple TV app.
Whether using a smart TV, streaming device, or mobile phone, signing up and tuning in is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:
Traditional television limits access to select games based on national broadcasts or local agreements. In contrast, Apple TV with MLS Season Pass offers a comprehensive, no-blackout experience, fully digital and accessible from anywhere in the U.S. or abroad. Streaming allows for multi-device access, real-time notifications, and interactive features like match previews, English and Spanish commentary, and full replays on demand.
Fans can watch on the go using an iPhone or iPad, project games in 4K via Apple TV 4K on their home theater, or tune in through their gaming console. No satellite dishes. No regional availability concerns. Just direct access to every Union goal, save, and storyline as it happens.
For fans who’ve moved on from traditional cable or satellite subscriptions, several streaming platforms offer access to Philadelphia Union matches—either through national broadcasts or regional sports networks (RSNs), depending on availability. Each service differs in coverage, pricing, and channel lineup, so a direct comparison helps clarify which suits your viewing habits and budget.
FuboTV’s emphasis on sports coverage makes it a reliable option. The Pro plan, priced at $79.99/month (as of April 2025 ), includes FS1, FS2, ESPN, and FOX—channels that intermittently carry Union matches. Though Fubo has historically carried certain RSNs like NBC Sports Philadelphia, availability can vary by ZIP code. Subscribers can confirm access to local RSNs through the service’s channel lookup tool.
Bundling live channels with on-demand content, Hulu + Live TV offers access to ESPN networks, FS1, FS2, and local FOX affiliates. The package also includes Disney+ and ESPN+, creating broader sports coverage beyond national MLS broadcasts. Monthly cost sits at $76.99 (as of April 2025 ), with unlimited DVR included at no additional charge.
YouTube TV delivers a mix of live sports and entertainment at a base price of $72.99/month. Subscribers get FOX, FS1, ESPN, and ABC—useful for catching nationally broadcast Union games. However, access to RSNs remains limited. NBC Sports Philadelphia is not currently part of YouTube TV’s core offering, which may affect fans depending on regional game rights.
DIRECTV typically ranges from $74.99/month for the Entertainment package to over $120/month for Premier—with RSNs available depending on your location and extra fees. In contrast, live TV streaming options cluster in the $70–$80/month range. While none fully replicate DIRECTV’s RSN lineup, all three platforms—FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV—cover national channels that feature Union matches.
Here's a quick comparison table:
Not ready to commit? All three services offer trial periods, allowing fans to test the interface, stream quality, and channel coverage before switching permanently.
Blackout regulations in the United States stem from agreements between broadcasters, teams, and leagues. For Major League Soccer, including matches featuring the Philadelphia Union, these rules prevent local broadcasts when a game airs in a specific area through regional or national partners. If you're trying to watch on DIRECTV from within the Union's designated market area (DMA), and the game is being shown on a local RSN or a national channel with exclusive rights, you may encounter a blackout screen.
The intent behind these restrictions is to encourage attendance at local stadiums and protect broadcast rights purchased by networks. For DIRECTV subscribers, this means that availability of a Philadelphia Union game depends heavily on both the platform airing the game and your ZIP code.
With the launch of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, blackout issues no longer apply. This service offers every MLS game live and on-demand, regardless of location. Whether you're in Philadelphia or across the country, an MLS Season Pass subscription guarantees uninterrupted access to all Union games — home and away.
This model breaks from traditional regional broadcast limitations. Fans watching through the MLS Season Pass will not face unexpected cut-offs due to market-specific agreements. The stream remains consistent across all states and allows viewers to follow the full season without navigating a blackout map.
Where you watch from directly affects which games appear on DIRECTV. In-market viewers must rely on channels that carry regional coverage, such as selected RSNs or national channels like FOX or FS1. Out-of-market fans may receive different programming, and may need supplemental services if their package lacks specific sports networks.
Use DIRECTV’s zip code tool or customer support to identify RSN availability in your area. You'll get a clearer picture of which Philadelphia Union games appear in your local lineup, and which ones require additional access through Apple TV or another platform.
DIRECTV subscribers with a Genie HD DVR or a compatible receiver can easily schedule recordings of Philadelphia Union games. Start by navigating to the on-screen guide, locate the game you want to record—typically listed under regional sports networks or national broadcasters like FS1 or FOX—and press the Record button on the remote. A red dot will appear next to the broadcast title confirming it’s scheduled.
If you won’t be home for kickoff or want flexibility on when to watch, this method locks in the content for later viewing. You can also press Info during a live broadcast and select Record directly from the menu.
Rather than scheduling games one by one, set up a recurring series recording for Philadelphia Union matches. Search for "Philadelphia Union" using the search function. Once found in the program listings, choose Record Series. This option tells the DVR to record every future broadcast that matches the team’s keyword within the sports category.
You can further refine the series settings—such as limiting recordings to only first-run broadcasts or selecting specific channels only—to reduce redundant recordings and save space.
With a full MLS season running from late February to October, storage management becomes essential to avoid missed games. Here are some strategies:
Consider setting up keyword-based recordings not just for the team, but also for high-stakes events like "MLS Playoffs" or "Leagues Cup" to capture non-season tournament action that includes the Union.
How do you decide which games to save and which to let go? Think about what matters most: standout performances, history-making moments, or tactical details you'd want to watch again. Prioritize accordingly in your DVR queue.
Philadelphia Union fans don’t have to miss a single match or goal-line stunner in 2025 . Between DIRECTV’s robust sports packages and the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, every matchday has a clear viewing path. Whether you're catching nationally televised clashes on FS1 or ESPN, or tuning into regional matchups via local RSNs, these platforms cover the full season.
To keep up with the pace of the Union's season, combine the traditional strengths of DIRECTV—uninterrupted broadcasts, DVR access, high-definition picture quality—with the flexibility of MLS Season Pass. The latter delivers every match across the league, no blackouts, on-demand replay options, and expert commentary, all accessible through the Apple TV app.
Prefer a tailored experience? Follow these key steps:
Some matchdays may overlap between platforms, but that’s a strength—not a conflict. This lets you choose how to watch: on your big screen, on the go, or with in-depth analysis and multilingual commentary options.
Want to plan your Union matchdays ahead of time?
Ready to lock in every moment from kick-off to stoppage-time drama? Grab your remote, fire up your streaming app, and stay synced with the Union all season long.
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