MLS Cup Playoffs Round One: How to watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami play Atlanta United tonight

Lionel Messi will make his first-ever appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs on Friday, October 25 when Inter Miami CF hosts Atlanta United FC, the winner of the Eastern Conference Wild Card match. The prime time game will air for free on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Miami vs. Atlanta game marks the first game in the Round One best-of-three series. Messi, who joined Inter Miami last season, recently set the single-season points record earlier this month. A win at the MLS Cup would give him a record 47th career trophy, no big deal.

In addition to watching the game for free on Apple TV, TikTok will be broadcasting a special “Player Spotlight: Messi” presentation of Friday’s match, a livestream of the game focused exclusively on Messi. You can find more information about every way to watch Miami play Atlanta below, and check out live game-day updates here.

How to watch Lionel Messi in the MLS Cup Playoffs tonight:

Date: Friday, Oct. 25

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Game: Inter Miami CF vs. Atlanta United FC

Streaming: Apple TV+

How to watch the Miami vs. Atlanta MLS Cup game?

While the Inter Miami vs. Atlanta game is airing for free, a subscription to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV is the only place fans can watch every MLS playoff match with no blackouts, culminating with the MLS Cup final on December 7. Apple TV+ is currently offering a deal on MLS Season Pass subscriptions for current subscribers, just $9.99 for the rest of the season.

Apple TV and MLS Season Pass are offering up Friday’s Miami vs. Atlanta game for free, but an MLS Season Pass is a must-have if you want to catch every game throughout the season. Subscribers get English and Spanish broadcasts of hundreds of live MLS matches, plus game replays, highlights, analysis, and more original programming. For those that already subscribe to Apple TV+, the MLS Season Pass add-on is typically $12.99/month or $79 per season. For non-subscribers, it’s $14.99 per month or $99 for the season. However, Apple is currently running a promotion so existing Apple TV+ subscribers can snag the remainder of the season for just $9.99.

In addition to MLS games, Apple TV+ offers award-winning shows like Ted Lasso, The Morning Show and Lessons in Chemistry, plus great original movies, and all the Peanuts holiday specials. Apple TV+ has a 7-day free trial available to new subscribers, OR, if you’ve bought an eligible Apple device recently you can get up to three months of the streaming service totally free.

Watch tonight’s game free at Apple TV

Round One Best-of-3 Series: Game One Schedule

All times are ET.

Friday, October 25

Inter Miami CF vs. Atlanta United FC, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 26

LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids, 11 p.m

Sunday, October 27

Orlando City SC vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m.

LAFC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 9:45 p.m.

Monday, October 28

FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC, 6:45 p.m.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC. 9 p.m.

Tuesday, October 29

Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls, 6:45 p.m.

Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC, 9 p.m.

How to watch the Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United game on TikTok:

If social media is more your speed, TikTok will air a “Player Spotlight: Messi” presentation of Friday’s match against Atlanta. This special broadcast will air live on the @MLS TikTok profile and will be simulcast on the @InterMiamiCF TikTok profile. The streams will begin five minutes before kickoff. This marks the first time TikTok has ever streamed a live soccer match with a single-player focus. Fans can register on TikTok to watch.

Watch the MLS Cup Playoffs: