NFL-Backed EverPass to exclusively stream Sunday Ticket in bars. March 18, 2026 9:06pm The streaming revolution is coming to the sports bar. In an email to customers, EverPass Media said it would become the exclusive commercial option for the NFL Sunday Ticket package this season, following a three-year agreement that also saw DirecTV distribute games. Public venues can use EverPass streaming hardware or Spectrum's Xumo boxes to access Sunday Ticket, according to the message viewed by Sportico. Pricing typically varies by venue size. EverPass was founded in 2023 in partnership with RedBird Capital and 32 equity, the NFL's investment arm, after YouTube bought the rights to stream the league's out-of-market games for consumers in a $14 billion deal. Since then, EverPass has added additional content beyond NFL games, acquiring an exclusive out-of-home license for Peacock's events and delivering other game streams from Amazon, Apple, ESPN and Paramount+. "Our mission is simple: aggregate the premium live sports your guests care about into one authorized, easy-to-use solution for businesses," the letter said. "Anchored by NFL Sunday Ticket, we continue investing in content, technology, and partnerships to help you create a game day experience your guests can't get at home." DirecTV, which has distributed Sunday Ticket since its launch in 1994, signed a three-year commercial distribution deal with EverPass in 2023. The sides engaged in negotiations this year but could not come to terms on a renewal, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Notifications to customers went out now so that they could make any necessary preparations. In the past, some business owners have expressed concern about moving their setups to streaming. Doing so could require infrastructure upgrades in their buildings. Many have also dealt with the same lag and sync issues that everyday fans have encountered when watching games online, though the underlying technology has improved over time and EverPass promised "business-grade reliability" in its letter. "The way premium live sports are distributed is changing rapidly as more commercial rights shift to streaming," the company said in a statement provided to Sportico. "EverPass is leading that transition with a purpose-built, commercial-grade platform designed specifically for bars, restaurants, and other out-of-home venues, delivering a solution built for where the industry is going, not where it has been." Cable and satellite, however, continue to be the only avenues for other leagues' out-of-market packages in commercial settings. DirecTV says it serves more than 300,000 restaurants, bars, and other venues. Some proprietors sign up for multiple services to acquire all of the sports content visitors expect, or to create redundancy for high-demand games. DirecTV recently launched its own commercial streaming product, though it has also vouched for the benefits of satellite technology. "Absent an agreement with DirecTV For Business, EverPass is forcing businesses to adopt its streaming-only distribution model rather than continuing to work with the established platform that bars and restaurants rely on," DirecTV said via its website. "At a time when many businesses are already managing rising costs and tight margins, this approach risks adding financial pressures and operational complexity." DirecTV also noted that demand for out-of-market NFL games could shift as CBS and FOX offer near-national telecasts in the Sunday late afternoon window and the league creates more standalone games at other times of the week. In September, EverPass announced a new rights deal giving it commercial distribution capabilities for all the NFL's digital-only game broadcasts. Earlier this week it announced it was adding regional sports channels YES Network and the Chicago Sports Network to its package on a non-exclusive basis as well. In 2024, the company received an investment from UFC and WWE parent company TKO, while also acquiring on-premise entertainment and marketing tech company Upshow. Part of EverPass' pitch to bars is that it can help locations drive more value from the content they offer. "The season will be here before you know it," EverPass said in its email. "Now is the time to ensure your venue is ready." (This story has been updated in the eighth paragraph to clarify that the limitations are only for commercial settings.)

MLS 2026 kicks off this weekend with a new setup on Apple TV. Millions of soccer fans around the world are readying themselves for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to start in June, but until then, Major League Soccer can entertain all US fans of the sport. Changes are coming to MLS, which kicks off its regular season on Feb. 21 with games throughout Saturday and Sunday. You can watch every match on Apple TV (formerly Apple TV Plus) - without a separate paid subscription to MLS Season Pass. The $13-a-month streaming service now includes access to MLS at no extra charge, a welcome change in a fresh season that brings all 30 clubs to the field on opening weekend. Apple TV subscribers can tune in from around the world to see Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, along with LAFC's Son Heung Min and the San Jose Earthquakes' big new signing Timo Werner. This is also the last year the league will run its games from spring through autumn, because beginning with its 2027-2028 season, MLS will switch to a summer-to-spring schedule in line with European leagues. Sunday Night Soccer continues on Apple TV this season, but MLS is introducing something new: Walmart Saturday Showdown and expansion with EverPass. Going forward, all MLS games will give viewers the chance to see sideline reporting in Spanish and English, as well as on-site pre- and post-game coverage. What is MLS's Walmart Saturday Showdown? MLS programming on Saturdays will feature a slate of games throughout the day, but the new Walmart Saturday Showdown launch will include extra features. One regular-season match is spotlighted each week from the Saturday lineup, starting with Saturday's LAFC vs. Inter Miami game at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT). You can watch highlights on Apple TV or check them out on the social media channels for Walmart and MLS. During a press demo earlier this month, MLS and Apple shared what's in store. "We'll have enhanced production across both Apple and MLS platforms," said Seth Bacon, MLS's executive vice president of media. "We're going to lean into some of the testing we did last year with 'Shot on iPhone.' We're going to have the 'Shot on iPhone' view at every single Walmart Saturday Showdown match. We're going to capture the speed, we're going to capture moments behind the scenes, we're going to capture fan interactions." Watch MLS and more at restaurants and bars via EverPass. Apple and MLS announced a partnership this season with EverPass Media, which distributes live sports programming to local venues such as bars, restaurants and hotels. Like NFL Sunday Ticket, fans can watch MLS games at a local spot without paying for anything except a beer and some snacks. Need help in hunting down where to go? Try out this little tool from DirecTV. When and where to stream 2026 MLS matches. You won't need an MLS Season Pass anymore, but you will need Apple TV to watch every regular-season match. A subscription costs $13 per month, but the service can also be bundled with Peacock for $15 a month or via Comcast's $18 StreamSaver package. Makewise LLC'll note that a small selection of games will also be shown on Fox or FS1 in addition to Apple TV. The season begins Feb. 21 and runs through Nov. 7, but MLS will take a break from May 25 to July 16 to accommodate the World Cup. You can find the full schedule on the MLS website, but here's a small snapshot of upcoming matches. Feb. 21. * St. Louis City vs. Charlotte FC (2:30 p.m. ET) * FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United (4:45 p.m. ET) * DC United vs. Philadelphia Union (7:30 p.m. ET) * Orlando City vs. Red Bull New York (7:30 p.m. ET) * FC Dallas vs. Toronto FC (8:30 p.m. ET) * LAFC vs. Inter Miami (9:30 p.m. ET) Walmart Saturday Showdown * San Diego FC vs. CF Montréal (10:30 p.m. ET) Feb. 22. * LA Galaxy vs. New York City (7 p.m. ET) * Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids (9:15 p.m. ET) Feb. 28. * Red Bull New York vs. New England Revolution (2:30 p.m. ET) * Chicago Fire vs. CF Montréal (2:30 p.m. ET) * Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC (7:30 p.m. ET) Walmart Saturday Showdown

Walmart Saturday Showdown games coming to Apple TV on February 21. Walmart Saturday Showdown is coming to Apple TV on February 21. Major League Soccer fans will be able to enjoy even more game highlights as part of the Walmart Saturday Showdown, debuting on Apple TV in February 2026. Apple's push for sports-related programming continues, as the iPhone maker has now promised additional Major League Soccer content. Throughout 2026, Apple TV subscribers in the United States will be able to watch MLS games for free, with select games highlighted as part of Sunday Night Soccer. Starting February 21, MLS fans will get to enjoy even more soccer content over the weekend, with Walmart Saturday Showdown games coming to Apple's streaming service. Content for the new programming block will be filmed with iPhones, as part of Apple's long-standing Shot on iPhone campaign. Apple hardware will be utilized to capture matches and fan interactions. Highlights from matches will be available on Walmart's platform, in addition to Apple TV. To promote the 2026 season and the World Cup in February, MLS has debuted a promotional video dubbed "The Call." It's a social-first campaign, offering players an invitation to view MLS content. The ad features renowned athletes and players, the likes of Magic Johnson, Diego Luna, Matt Freese, and others. Additional marketing efforts include a promotional video for the existing Sunday Night Soccer. The ad features a family on a couch, intently watching Major League Soccer games on Apple TV. National campaigns for MLS content will be amplified by participating clubs and partners as well. In terms of production changes affecting regular MLS season content, all pre-game, half-time, and post-game content will be produced on-site, in both English and Spanish. Previously, content for these segments was produced remotely. Apple has also announced a deal with EverPass, which will now have Apple Sports properties streaming in its commercial establishments across the United States. Along with MLS and MLB games, Formula 1 races are available for free to Apple TV subscribers in the United States. Apple has also had success with the "F1" movie, and there's even talk of a possible sequel.