MLS ‘gives way’ to the Las Vegas GP ahead of the Conference semifinals

Major League Soccer is back in the spotlight this weekend as the conference semifinals determine the four teams that will fight for a spot in the MLS Cup—the trophy that will crown the successor to the LA Galaxy as league champion.

MLS Conference semifinal schedule changes

But there’s a twist in the scheduling. Of the four semifinal matchups, only one will be played on Saturday in prime time. The rest have been shifted to Sunday and Monday.

Why? In the opening round of the playoffs, MLS found itself competing for attention against the World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays. Baseball dominated the headlines, overshadowing even Lionel Messi’s playoff debut with Inter Miami. Game 1 of the World Series drew a massive 32 million viewers in the US, far outpacing MLS’s streaming audience on Apple TV, which does not release official ratings.

Avoiding TV audience clash

This time, MLS is steering clear of another ratings showdown—this one with Formula 1. The Las Vegas Grand Prix, one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, takes place Saturday night.

To avoid overlap, MLS scheduled only one game for Saturday: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LAFC. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET, leaving plenty of room before lights go out in Las Vegas.

All set for the Las Vegas GP

The F1 race begins at 11:00 p.m. ET, meaning fans can catch the MLS clash first and then switch over to the Grand Prix without missing a beat.

It’s a strategic move that also hints at Apple’s long-term play. With Apple TV already holding MLS rights and set to acquire Formula 1 rights starting in 2026, the company appears to be positioning itself smartly—avoiding internal competition between two of its marquee sports properties.

For now, Saturday night belongs to Vancouver and LAFC, but the bigger picture is clear: MLS and F1 are both growing fast in the US, and Apple is betting big on both.

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