MLS 2025 Season Kicks Off: Opening Weekend Fixtures, Where to Watch, and Key Storylines

The 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season is here, bringing high-energy matchups, fresh rivalries, and big names to the field as teams battle for supremacy in the league’s 30th anniversary campaign. With San Diego FC making their MLS debut and Lionel Messi embarking on his first full season with Inter Miami, this promises to be a season to remember.

As the season kicks off this weekend (February 22-23, 2025), fans across the world will be tuning in to catch the action. Here’s everything you need to know about the opening weekend fixtures, how to watch, and the biggest storylines.

 
🔥 Opening Weekend Fixtures
The first round of MLS action will feature 15 games, spread across Saturday and Sunday. Here’s a look at some of the biggest matchups to watch:

Saturday, February 22
⚽ Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC – 7:30 PM ET (Messi and Suarez begin their full MLS season together!)
⚽ LAFC vs. Minnesota United FC – 4:30 PM ET (Can LAFC continue their dominance?)
⚽ Atlanta United FC vs. CF Montréal – 7:30 PM ET (Thiago Almada looks to shine!)
⚽ Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas – 8:30 PM ET (Texas Derby sparks early-season tension!)

Sunday, February 23
⚽ Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – 4:00 PM ET (A Cascadia Cup rivalry battle!)
⚽ LA Galaxy vs. San Diego FC – 7:00 PM ET (San Diego’s MLS debut!)

🔴 All times in Eastern Time (ET)

The LA Galaxy vs. San Diego FC match is historic as it marks San Diego’s first-ever MLS game and also kicks off the new “Sunday Night Soccer” series—a key highlight of the 2025 season.

 
📺 Where to Watch MLS Opening Weekend
MLS fans have several options to watch the opening weekend action live:

1️⃣ MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
📡 Every match will be available live, with no blackouts. This is the best option for fans wanting to follow their favorite teams all season. Apple has also made the Apple TV app available for Android users, expanding its reach.

2️⃣ FOX and FOX Deportes
📡 Select games will be aired on FOX Sports, including the season opener between LAFC and Minnesota United FC.

3️⃣ TSN and RDS (Canada)
📡 Canadian fans can watch matches featuring CF Montréal, Toronto FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps live on TSN and RDS.

 
🔥 Key Storylines to Watch in 2025
1️⃣ Lionel Messi’s First Full MLS Season
Last year, Messi took MLS by storm when he joined Inter Miami mid-season, leading the team to Leagues Cup glory. Now, with a full season ahead, and joined by Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, can Miami dominate the league?

2️⃣ San Diego FC’s MLS Debut
The league welcomes San Diego FC, the 30th MLS franchise, as they take on LA Galaxy in their first-ever game. The club has big ambitions and a passionate fanbase—how will they fare in their inaugural match?

3️⃣ Houston Dynamo’s Big Rebuild
The Dynamo have reloaded their squad with fresh talent, including Jack McGlynn, Júnior Urso, and Nico Lodeiro. Their season opener against rival FC Dallas in the Texas Derby will be an early test of their new-look squad.

4️⃣ Defending Champions Columbus Crew Aim to Repeat
The Columbus Crew lifted the 2024 MLS Cup, but with teams strengthening all over the league, their title defense will be anything but easy.

 
🔜 What’s Next in MLS 2025?
The season is set to be full of surprises, with new signings, tactical shifts, and young talent emerging throughout the league. With an expanded playoff format and the added global spotlight on MLS, 2025 could be the most exciting season yet.

🔥 Be sure to catch all the action as the MLS 2025 season kicks off this weekend!