Major League Soccer has announced a groundbreaking new initiative that will transform the viewing experience for football fans across North America. The league is launching the Walmart Saturday Showdown for the 2026 season, creating a consistent weekly marquee event that promises to become a must-watch tradition.
A New Weekly Football Tradition
The Walmart Saturday Showdown will feature one premier match every Saturday throughout the regular season, providing fans with a reliable focal point for their weekend football viewing. This strategic move aims to establish Saturday as the definitive day for MLS action, making it easier for supporters to plan their viewing schedules around these high-profile fixtures.
Blockbuster Opening Weekend
The inaugural showdown kicks off on 21 February 2026 with what promises to be an electrifying clash between reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles Football Club. This highly anticipated match will take place at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with coverage beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET exclusively on Apple TV.
William White, chief marketing officer at Walmart, emphasised the initiative's community-focused approach, stating: "At its core, Walmart Saturday Showdown is about access and community. With Apple TV and MLS, we are celebrating the sport's momentum and connecting fans with MLS' most compelling matchups. Soccer fans don't just watch matches, they build traditions that make soccer culture contagious, and we want to make it easier for more people to be a part of the fandom by making matchday consistent and shareable every Saturday."
Enhanced Broadcast Experience
Viewers can expect a significantly upgraded production and broadcast experience across Apple TV and MLS platforms. A particularly innovative feature will be the "Shot on iPhone" View, which promises dynamic camera angles and immersive perspectives designed to capture the full energy of both the on-pitch action and the stadium atmosphere.
This technological enhancement aims to provide viewers with a true window into the speed, skill, pressure, and emotion of professional football, helping fans feel more connected to the live action when watching from home. Key highlights from each Walmart Saturday Showdown will be widely distributed across MLS and Walmart social channels, ensuring that memorable moments quickly become shareable content for football enthusiasts.
Initial Fixture Lineup
The league has announced the initial fixtures for the Walmart Saturday Showdown, promising an exciting start to the 2026 season:
- LAFC vs. Inter Miami CF – 21 February 2026 (9:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV)
- Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC – 28 February 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV)
- Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire FC – 7 March 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV)
- LA Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City – 14 March 2026 (9:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV)
- Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire FC – 21 March 2026 (4:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV)
Fan Engagement Initiatives
To mark the debut of this new initiative, MLS, Apple, and Walmart will host an immersive fan experience in Los Angeles on 20 February, the day before the opening weekend. This activation will feature appearances from MLS legends, well-known hosts, interactive games with collectible prizes, and exclusive previews of what fans can expect from the Walmart Saturday Showdown throughout the season.
Camilo Durana, MLS Executive Vice President, highlighted the significance of the upcoming year for the sport: "2026 will be a historic year for both Major League Soccer and our sport, and the launch of Walmart Saturday Showdown exemplifies how we continue to create new and exciting experiences for fans through an occasion they can plan for every Saturday. MLS has some of the most passionate fans and intense rivalries in all of sports, and we are committed to not only elevating some of our match weeks' most exciting storylines, but to inspiring a sense of community that will last throughout the 2026 season and beyond."
Strategic Partnership Expansion
The Walmart Saturday Showdown represents a significant evolution in the multi-year partnership between Walmart and MLS, aiming to deepen fan engagement and grow the sport's following across North America. Walmart will receive prominent visibility throughout the initiative, reinforcing its commitment to celebrating football and connecting supporters with the league's most captivating fixtures.
This new chapter in their collaboration comes as all MLS matches become exclusively available on Apple TV from 2026 as part of the league's ongoing partnership with the technology company, promising an expansive and accessible lineup of programming for football fans throughout the United States and Canada.
