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MLS on the Radio: Live Soccer Commentary Is Still Alive and Well
When Major League Soccer signed its landmark media agreement with Apple, many fans assumed the days of listening to live MLS matches on the radio were over.
They were not.
In fact, every MLS club still provides live local radio coverage, giving fans the opportunity to follow their favorite team with familiar hometown voices. Whether you are driving, walking the dog, relaxing on the porch, or simply prefer audio over video, radio remains one of the best ways to experience Major League Soccer.
Local Voices Still Call Every Match
Although Apple TV is now the exclusive home for MLS video coverage, clubs continue to produce their own local radio broadcasts in English, Spanish, or both. Many teams carry games on:
- Traditional AM and FM radio stations
- Their club websites or official apps
- Local streaming partners
Apple TV also lets viewers select the home team’s local radio broadcast as an alternate audio feed during matches, blending television pictures with hometown play-by-play.
Where Can You Listen?
Unlike some professional leagues, MLS does not have a single national audio platform that monopolizes every game. Instead, broadcasts depend on each club’s local media partner. Here is where you will commonly find them:
Several MLS flagship stations are owned by Audacy and stream live through the Audacy app and website. Examples include Atlanta United on 92.9 The Game and the Philadelphia Union on 97.5 The Fanatic. If a team’s flagship station is an Audacy affiliate, listening is usually as simple as opening the Audacy app.
Many clubs also partner with iHeartRadio stations. For example, Austin FC broadcasts all regular-season matches on Alt 97.5, which is available through iHeartRadio. The Columbus Crew also uses iHeart-affiliated stations in its market.
TuneIn remains useful, but mostly because it carries many local AM and FM stations rather than league-wide MLS rights. Whether you can hear a specific match depends entirely on whether the team’s flagship station streams on TuneIn and any rights restrictions imposed by that station. TuneIn also features numerous MLS news and discussion programs, making it a good destination for soccer fans even when games are not being played.
radio.net aggregates thousands of radio stations, so availability depends on whether a club’s local affiliate participates. It is another convenient way to search for your team’s flagship station, but it does not hold exclusive MLS audio rights.
Why Radio Is Still Special
Soccer is one of the world’s great radio sports. Without pictures, the announcer paints the field through vivid descriptions, building anticipation with every attack, save, and goal. A skilled play-by-play broadcaster turns ninety minutes into an immersive experience powered entirely by sound.
For many fans, radio also provides a stronger connection to their club because local announcers know the players, supporters, and traditions that make each team unique.
Web Radio Info’s Listening Tip
Before kickoff, visit your club’s official website and look for the Radio or Matchday section to check the flagship station. You can then listen through the station’s app, website, or terrestrial broadcast. If you are watching on Apple TV, consider switching to the hometown radio audio feed for a more local experience.
Web Radio Info Rating
★★★★★ (5 out of 5)
Why We Recommend MLS Radio:
- Live hometown broadcasters
- Available on AM/FM and streaming
- Many English and Spanish broadcasts
- Compatible with Apple TV’s alternate audio option
- One of the best screen-free ways to follow professional soccer
Final Thoughts
Radio remains an essential part of the MLS experience. While there is not a single service that carries every match, fans have more listening options than many realize. Whether your club streams through Audacy, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, radio.net, or its own website or app, local voices continue to bring every pass, tackle, and goal to life.
For listeners who enjoy sports through sound, MLS radio is thriving and well worth discovering.
About the Author: Barry Lee is the Podcast Curator at Web Radio Info Inc., a Clearwater, Florida organization dedicated to making digital audio fully accessible to the visually impaired community. Barry sifts through thousands of shows to find the best audio dramas, immersive storytelling, and highly descriptive programming. His careful curation ensures that listeners can easily discover high-quality, screen-free content that perfectly captures the theater of the mind.
