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Lionel Messi and defending MLS champions Inter Miami will get their 2026 regular season under way as they travel across the country to meet Western Conference powerhouse LAFC on Saturday evening.
The Herons, led by 2025 MVP Messi, won their first-ever MLS Cup last season, beating Vancouver Whitecaps decisively in the final after finishing third in the Eastern Conference standings.
Unfortunately, 38-year-old Messi isn't a guarantee to begin the season healthy. There were reports that he was set to miss two weeks after cropping up with a slight muscle injury in their preseason friendly at Ecuadorian side Barcelona SC, but he was back in training on Wednesday and is expected to be fit for this weekend.
LAFC have their own superstar on hand, as Son Heung-Min begins his first full season with the MLS club after joining in the middle of last season. He has been an instant hit at LAFC, striking 12 goals and four assists in just 13 matches last season, while already back in form with a goal and three assists in early continental action this winter.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
MORE: Explaining all the special MLS laws and quirks, including the Designated Player rule
LAFC vs. Inter Miami live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this MLS regular season match in the United States:
TV channel: None
Live stream: Apple TV
This match, along with every single game of the 2026 Major League Soccer season, will be available to stream on Apple TV.
No longer will subscribers need to pay for an additional MLS Season Pass service. Instead, all matches will be available to those simply with a basic Apple TV subscription.
New subscribers can also sign up for a seven-day FREE trial.
What time does LAFC vs. Inter Miami kick off?
This MLS regular season clash takes place at the United Airlines Field in Los Angeles, California and kicks off on Saturday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat, Feb. 21 | 9:30 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, Feb. 21 | 8:30 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, Feb. 21 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, Feb. 21 | 6:30 p.m. |
MLS match schedule this week
All times Eastern.
Saturday, February 21
- St. Louis City vs. Charlotte FC (2:30 p.m.)
- FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United (4:45 p.m.)
- DC United vs. Philadelphia Union (7:30 p.m.)
- Orlando City vs. NY Red Bulls (7:30 p.m.)
- Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Real Salt Lake (7:30 p.m.)
- Austin FC vs. Minnesota United (8:30 p.m.)
- FC Dallas vs. Toronto FC (8:30 p.m.)
- Houston Dynamo vs. Chicago Fire (8:30 p.m.)
- Nashville SC vs. New England Revolution (8:30 p.m.)
- LAFC vs. Inter Miami (9:30 p.m.)
- Portland Timbers vs. Columbus Crew (10:30 p.m.)
- San Diego FC vs. CF Montreal (10:30 p.m.)
- San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sporting KC (10:30 p.m.)
Sunday, February 22
- LA Galaxy vs. NYCFC (7 p.m.)
- Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids (9:15 p.m.)
English (US)