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EA Sports Breaks New Ground: MLS Matches to Stream Live Inside EA FC Mobile App

In a landmark industry crossover, EA Sports has announced that live Major League Soccer matches will now stream directly within its EA SPORTS FC Mobile app — a historic first for the video game industry. Starting May 10, 2025, users of the mobile game can watch select live matches each week from the MLS Season Pass, available through a new in-app feature called FCM TV.

The initiative makes EA Sports the first game publisher to broadcast live, real-world sports matches inside a mobile game platform, marking a watershed moment in the convergence of gaming, streaming, and sports media.

How It Works: Welcome to FCM TV

The new FCM TV feature will be embedded directly within the FC Mobile interface, enabling users to access a rotating selection of live MLS games every week. The debut match—New York Red Bulls vs. LA Galaxy—airs on May 10 at 23:30 UTC, followed by Atlanta United vs. Philadelphia Union on May 17.

This feature is powered via the existing Apple TV MLS Season Pass, integrating real-world broadcast infrastructure into the game without requiring users to leave the app or pay additional fees. The experience is frictionless, mobile-first, and available globally.

The Why: Merging Two Fanbases for Maximum Impact

This partnership between EA Sports, MLS, and Apple represents a strategic masterstroke—uniting:

• Gaming’s global, mobile-first Gen Z audience

• MLS’s push for broader U.S. and international viewership

• Apple’s ambition to reimagine sports distribution via Season Pass

With over 150 million global players, FC Mobile provides MLS with an unparalleled pipeline to younger, more digitally native fans—audiences who may not subscribe to traditional sports broadcasting platforms but who spend hours inside gaming environments.

A New Category in Sports Media: The Hybrid Fan Experience

This is not just about streaming games in a new location—it’s about redefining what a sports platform can be. FCM TV transforms FC Mobile into a dynamic hub that merges:

• Gameplay

• Live Sports

• Streaming Content

• Fan Community Engagement

Players can watch full matches or highlights while browsing the game, between sessions, or even during casual play. It extends time-in-app, deepens brand affinity, and introduces new advertising and sponsorship opportunities.

Implications for the Industry

This move signals the dawn of a new era where games are no longer just entertainment—they are distribution channels:

• For EA Sports: This lays the foundation for future integrations across other leagues, events, and media partners.

• For MLS: It amplifies their bold digital-first approach, building on their exclusive global rights deal with Apple.

• For the Sports Industry: It forces a reconsideration of how and where fans consume live content—and how brands engage them.

What’s Next?

This rollout is expected to grow in scope, with new matches added weekly and the possibility of post-match shows, exclusive interviews, or even in-game bonuses tied to live match engagement. While it starts with MLS, the playbook is clear—and replicable across other leagues and sports.

Conclusion: The Game Is Now the Platform

The collaboration between EA Sports, Apple, and MLS isn’t just innovative—it’s precedent-setting. By embedding real-world sports into the flow of a game, they’ve created a hybrid sports and entertainment environment that aligns perfectly with how new generations consume content.

This is more than a media rights deal. It’s the future of sports distribution—live, mobile, and built for the next generation of fans.

Sources: SportsPro, Apple Insider, Sportcal, Electronic Arts, Goal