Figuring out how to watch Major League Soccer live these days feels a bit like being a tactical analyst, doesn’t it? You’re scanning the field, looking for openings, trying to anticipate the next pass. I remember just a few years ago, the options were pretty straightforward, maybe even limited. Now, in 2024, the streaming landscape for MLS is a dynamic, ever-shifting game of its own. My complete guide here is born from a bit of frustration and a lot of trial and error—I’ve missed a few opening goals while fumbling between apps, so consider this your playbook to avoid the same fate.

Let’s start with the undeniable powerhouse for any North American soccer fan: Apple TV. The MLS Season Pass isn’t just an option anymore; it’s the central hub. For a flat fee—around $99 for the full season or $14.99 monthly—you get every single match. No blackouts. That’s the real game-changer. I was skeptical at first, wondering if fragmenting sports across more services was a good thing, but for a dedicated MLS follower, the depth and consistency are unmatched. You get multiple audio options, including local radio broadcasts which I adore for that hometown feel, and a ton of original content. It’s the must-have foundation of your streaming setup. Without it, you’ll be missing probably 80% of the action, especially those midweek fixtures that are never on linear TV.

But here’s where strategy comes in, much like a coach adjusting at halftime. Apple TV holds the league rights, but local broadcast deals for your hometown team might still be in play. This is crucial. For instance, my local club’s matches are also simulcast on a regional sports network. So while I use Apple as my primary, having access to that RSN through a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or FuboTV is a backup I use for when I want that specific local commentary or have friends over who prefer that channel. FuboTV, in particular, is a fantastic choice for soccer fans broadly, as it carries other leagues and competitions, making it a great complement. I’d estimate about 30% of matches I watch involve checking another service after starting on Apple, just to see the different presentation.

Now, what about the big, national spotlight games? This is where the picture gets interesting and requires a flexible approach. Major broadcasters like FOX, FS1, and ESPN still have select matches, particularly high-profile weekends and the playoffs. I never rely solely on my streaming subscriptions for these. I make sure my overall package—be it a traditional cable login or a live TV streaming service—includes these channels. Last season, I missed a thrilling conference final because I assumed it was only on Apple, and it wasn’t. A painful lesson learned. Always double-check the schedule on the MLS website or app a day before; it’s saved me countless times.

This brings me to a fascinating point about global sports consumption, something highlighted perfectly by recent international events. Take the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. I was reading about the Philippine national team’s final game against New Zealand, where coach Tim Cone praised the Kiwis' "torrid shooting" that his squad simply couldn't counter. That game, like many international sporting events, was accessible through a very specific, often niche, streaming partner—in that case, likely a regional sports network or an international service. It mirrors the MLS experience in a way. To follow a specific team or league with true dedication, you often need to go beyond the generic platforms and find the dedicated home. For MLS, that’s Apple. For European soccer, it might be Paramount+ or Peacock. The fragmentation is real, but the depth of coverage is better than ever if you’re willing to assemble the puzzle.

Speaking of international access, if you’re trying to watch MLS from outside the United States or Canada, the puzzle changes again. Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass is available globally, which is a massive improvement. However, local broadcast rights in your country might supersede that. A quick VPN can be a useful tool here, but always check the legalities. From my experience talking to fans abroad, using the official league partner in their region combined with a reliable internet connection is the most consistent path to success.

So, what’s my personal setup? I’ve settled on a core of Apple MLS Season Pass, supplemented by a FuboTV subscription during the heart of the season for those FOX/FS1 games and other soccer. It costs me roughly $120 per month during the season, which I justify as my primary entertainment expense. Is it perfect? No. I wish everything was in one place, but the reality of modern sports media is specialization. The quality on Apple, with no commercials during the run of play and incredible 4K HDR streams, has genuinely raised my expectations for how I consume sports. In the end, watching MLS live in 2024 is about commitment and a bit of tech savvy. You invest in the dedicated service for the sheer volume of matches, and you strategically add one or two broader services for the marquee events. Get that combination right, and you’ll never miss a moment of the action, from a rainy Wednesday night fixture to the MLS Cup final. It’s the only way to ensure you’re ready for whatever the league, and the modern streaming world, throws at you.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.