MLS Productions Moving to ‘The Studios at WWE’ as Part of Expanded Deal With IMG

League will leave NEP facility in NYC for new state-of-the-art facility in Stamford, CT

Major League Soccer has announced plans to move its media- and broadcast-production arm, MLS Productions, to WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT, beginning with the league’s 2025 season. The move is part of a multiyear partnership renewal with IMG that expands and builds upon an existing broadcast-production relationship. IMG will continue to produce live match and studio productions and programming for more than 600 games annually on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV; NEP Group will handle production facilities and technology.

WWE’s state-of-the-art Studios at WWE features a cutting-edge virtual production stage.

“The debut of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV has been remarkable for fans around the world to be able to consume all MLS games and content,” says Seth Bacon, EVP, Media, MLS. “With the incredible momentum and excitement around the league, we are thrilled to further our partnership with IMG to support our vision of elevating production, creating new viewing opportunities, and pushing the sports-broadcast landscape into the future.”

The Studios at WWE is a 30,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art production facility housing five studios featuring the latest technologies, wide-ranging production amenities, a cutting-edge virtual production stage, built in collaboration with AbelCine and Meptik, and the latest-generation technology from Sony Electronics and Disguise. CLICK HERE for SVG’s detailed story on The Studios at WWE.

“We have long admired the tremendous MLS-IMG partnership — and the fantastic product and results it has generated over the years,” says Lee Fitting, EVP, media and production, WWE. “We believe that WWE’s new state-of-the-art facilities will help take their collective capabilities to even greater heights.”

The 30,000-sq.-ft. Studios at WWE houses the latest technologies.

The Studios at WWE will serve as the dynamic hub for MLS live studio programming and content in English and Spanish. The new location for MLS Season Pass will also enable MLS Productions to add programming in the new season. The facilities MLS Productions will use will be bespoke and engineered toward its needs, enabling centralized solutions across the MLS workflow. During the past two years, all MLS Season Pass studio productions have been handled at NEP’s Metropolis Studios in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City.

This year, the league says, MLS Productions will advance its capabilities, create efficiencies, broaden content offerings, and centralize its broadcast content and graphics. Details of the new capabilities and enhanced programming will be unveiled during the start of the new season.

The WWE facility is part of TKO Group Holdings, which recently reached an agreement with Endeavor to acquire IMG, in a transaction expected to be completed in the first half of this year.

“Together with MLS and Apple, we have set a new standard for the MLS viewing experience, creating a new era of entertaining, highly engaging content for football fans globally,” says Barney Francis, EVP, studios, IMG. “Over the coming years, we will continue to innovate with cutting-edge technology and creativity, powered by our incredible new home, The Studios at WWE, and IMG’s industry-leading production experience and capabilities.”

Moving to the WWE production facility in Stamford, CT, will allow MLS Productions to add programming in the new season.

In 2023, MLS and Apple debuted the global streaming service, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, creating a platform where every MLS match is available for fans around the world in a single destination. With its production partners IMG and NEP, MLS Season Pass has brought top-notch production, more-expansive coverage, and increased global visibility, surpassing the league’s expectations in its first two years.

IMG produces content for some of the world’s biggest leagues and events, including the Premier League, English Football League, Saudi Pro League, CBS’s UEFA Champions League and Europa League coverage, UFC, DP World Tour, The Ryder Cup, and The Open Championship.

MLS Season Pass is collaboration of MLS, Apple, IMG, and NEP, with the shared goal of putting fans first.