Walmart, MLS to debut weekly 'Saturday Showdown' Apple TV matchup
America’s largest retailer is deepening its partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) with recurring programming.
Walmart and the soccer league have launched Walmart Saturday Showdown, which will highlight a marquee MLS matchup each Saturday throughout the regular season and establish a “consistent appointment-viewing experience” for fans.
Walmart Saturday Showdown will debut during the league’s Opening Weekend with one of the season’s most anticipated matchups, as defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF takes on Los Angeles Football Club at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 21. All games will be able to be viewed on Apple TV.
“At its core, Walmart Saturday Showdown is about access and community,” said William White, chief marketing officer at Walmart. “With Apple TV and MLS, we are celebrating the sport’s momentum and connecting fans with MLS’ most compelling matchups. Soccer fans don’t just watch matches, they build traditions that make soccer culture contagious, and we want to make it easier for more people to be a part of the fandom by making matchday consistent and shareable every Saturday.”
Match highlights captured from Walmart Saturday Showdown will also be shared across MLS and Walmart social channels to provide access to the biggest plays so soccer fans can “turn can’t-miss moments into must-share content.”
In celebration of the debut of Walmart Saturday Showdown, MLS, Apple and Walmart will host an immersive fan experience in Los Angeles on Feb. 20, ahead of MLS’ opening weekend Feb. 21–22. Featuring MLS legends, well-known hosts, and interactive games with collectible prizes, this activation will also offer exclusive previews of what fans can expect from Walmart Saturday Showdown throughout the season, according to the retailer.
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“2026 will be a historic year for both MLS and our sport, and the launch of Walmart Saturday Showdown exemplifies how we continue to create new and exciting experiences for fans through an occasion they can plan for every Saturday,” said Camilo Durana, MLS executive VP. “MLS has some of the most passionate fans and intense rivalries in all of sports, and we are committed to not only elevating some of our match weeks’ most exciting storylines, but to inspiring a sense of community that will last throughout the 2026 season and beyond.”
Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart Inc. operates more than 10,750 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.
