Major League Soccer (MLS) announced the Walmart Saturday Showdown, a new weekly marquee matchup that will celebrate MLS matches each Saturday, according to a joint statement published by Walmart and MLS.
What Is the Walmart Saturday Showdown?
The Walmart Saturday Showdown will spotlight one featured matchup each Saturday during the regular soccer season.
The initial showdown slate features five weekend and early-season matchups:
- LAFC vs. Inter Miami CF (February 21, at 9:30 p.m. ET)
- Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC (February 28, at 7:30 p.m. ET)
- Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire FC (March 7, at 7:30 p.m. ET)
- LA Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City (March 14, at 9:30 p.m. ET)
- Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire FC (March 21, at 4:30 p.m. ET)
As part of an enhanced broadcast experience, the Walmart Saturday Showdown will show the featured matches on Apple TV and MLS platforms, including features such as the “Shot on iPhone” view, which are designed to bring fans closer to the action and atmosphere.
The new “Shot on iPhone” view will capture select moments using dynamic camera angles to highlight the speed, skill, and emotion of the game, with key highlights shared across MLS and Walmart social channels.
MLS said the Walmart Saturday Showdown events build on a multiyear partnership with Walmart focused on fan engagement, with the retailer featured throughout the match-of-the-week presentation.
When Will the Walmart Saturday Showdown Begin?
The Walmart Saturday Showdown will debut on February 21 with Inter Miami CF facing Los Angeles Football Club at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with coverage on Apple TV at 9:30 p.m. ET.
MLS, Apple, and Walmart have also scheduled an immersive fan experience in Los Angeles on February 20 featuring MLS legends, hosts, interactive games with prizes, and previews of Saturday Showdown features, right before the league’s opening weekend, which starts on February 21.
Walmart’s chief marketing officer, William White, said the Walmart Saturday Showdowns are designed to improve access and foster a sense of community by giving fans a consistent, shareable weekly matchday. The goal of the weekly showdowns is to connect more people with the league’s most exciting matchups and support the traditions that make soccer culture so engaging.
“At its core, Walmart Saturday Showdown is about access and community. 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.”
The MLS executive vice president, Camilo Durana, mirrored this sentiment by saying: “2026 will be a historic year for both Major League Soccer 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.”
“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.
The FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It will be jointly hosted by 16 cities—11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
