MLS Viewership Explodes to Record Heights in 2026 Season Opener Despite Messi's Absence
The 2026 Major League Soccer campaign kicked off spectacularly, drawing 9.7 million live viewers who witnessed the excitement throughout the opening weekend festivities.
Interest in MLS has reached unprecedented levels. The attraction of superstar athletes like Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and Thomas Müller, combined with the upcoming World Cup scheduled across the United States, Canada and Mexico, has brought fresh appeal to the competition, captivating supporters completely.
Indeed, a record-breaking audience of 75,673 spectators filled the Los Angeles Coliseum to witness LAFC welcome Inter Miami over the weekend. This attendance figure helped MLS achieve its largest Opening Weekend crowd numbers in the organization's history.
Supporters were equally engaged from their homes. MLS announced 9.7 million live watchers across television and digital streaming services followed the weekend's events, highlighted by the Black & Gold's commanding 3–0 victory over Messi and the defending MLS Cup titleholders.
The documented audience represents an impressive 59% year-over-year growth to begin the campaign. Part of this surge stems from the league eliminating MLS Season Pass, enabling all Apple TV users to access their complete match schedule.
2026 MLS Opening Weekend: By the Numbers
2026 MLS Opening Weekend: By the Numbers
Beyond generating substantial viewership growth during the league's Opening Weekend, MLS also demonstrated significant improvements across social media platforms.
The organization reported that MLS and team social accounts experienced a 22% boost compared to the previous year. Additionally, there were 113,000 viewers on the MLS TikTok Live pre-match broadcast.
Regarding stadium attendance, an unprecedented 387,271 supporters visited venues throughout the U.S. and Canada to experience MLS Opening Weekend live. This marked both the largest Opening Weekend turnout in league history and the highest single match-weekend total on record.
What Can Fans Expect From Week 2 of the 2026 MLS Season?
What Can Fans Expect From Week 2 of the 2026 MLS Season?
Focus will center on Inter Miami as MLS competition continues this weekend. The Herons travel to Inter&Co Stadium to face regional adversaries Orlando City on Sunday.
The Florida rivalry provides Javier Mascherano's squad an ideal chance to recover from their Opening Weekend loss, though the Lions will equally seek redemption following their 2–1 setback to Red Bull New York last Saturday.
The leading contenders for the 2026 MLS Cup, LAFC will return to play against Houston Dynamo. Following star forward Denis Bouanga's contract extension with the Western Conference club, Marc Dos Santos's team will be eager to deliver another impressive performance on Saturday evening.
Additional compelling fixtures feature Real Salt Lake's season opener versus Seattle Sounders on Saturday, plus Vancouver Whitecaps' encounter with Canadian counterparts Toronto FC.