MLS
Messi and Inter Miami set incredible audience record in MLS Playoffs
The Herons’ first playoff game against Atlanta set a new record for sports broadcasting on Apple.
Lionel Messi continues breaking records in MLS with Inter Miami, and his first playoff game with the Fort Lauderdale team was no exception. The first match of the best-of-three series against Atlanta United set a new record.
Miami and Atlanta were the stage for Messi’s debut in the MLS postseason, generating huge expectations and resulting in what the company has said was the ‘most-watched sporting event on Apple,’ given that the match was available for free via the MLS Apple Pass and appeared on the Apple Store in major cities worldwide.
A major campaign promoting ‘Messi’s first playoff game’ helped boost viewership numbers, which, although not disclosed by Apple TV, can be inferred from TikTok figures alone, which was running at six figures.
During the match, Messi had a personal tracking camera broadcast on TikTok through the MLS and Inter Miami accounts.
Inter Miami to finish the job
Miami defeated The Five Stripes in the first match of the series, taking advantage of their home field at Chase Stadium. Now, as they visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium, they have the opportunity to end Atlanta United’s hopes and keep Messi’s aspirations alive to advance to the next phase of the postseason.