Apple made sports broadcasting history by shooting an entire Major League Soccer (MLS) game using only iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphones. This groundbreaking event, featuring the match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo, not only demonstrated the feasibility of such an endeavor but also provided insights into how Apple achieved this impressive feat.
According to Apple, fifteen iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphones were strategically deployed to capture action both on the pitch and in the stands at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The iPhone's compact size proved to be a significant advantage, enabling the production team to place professional-grade cameras in locations inaccessible to traditional, full-sized broadcast cameras, such as on long poles or inside the nets. With the iPhone 17 Pro capable of outputting video over HDMI, it seamlessly integrated into Apple TV's standard MLS broadcast setup, with all camera feeds transmitted directly to the on-site production truck.
The highlights from the match appeared to be of industry-standard professional quality, which is a remarkable accomplishment given that the entire broadcast was captured using consumer-grade smartphones. Achieving such a high level of production quality with a device that fits into one's pocket underscores the advanced capabilities of the iPhone's camera technology.
However, the broadcast setup involved more than just standalone iPhones. As shown by Brian Tong on Instagram, some iPhone 17 Pro Max units were mounted onto industry-standard Fujifilm Fujinon broadcast lenses, creating unusual configurations. For instance, one setup featured an iPhone 17 Pro Max paired with a Fujinon HZK 25-1000mm lens, valued at approximately $265,000. While such elaborate setups are beyond what most iPhone owners could or would want to do, Apple also utilized simpler on-field configurations, employing the iPhone's built-in lenses and fairly standard handheld rigs. These more accessible setups demonstrate that even enthusiast-level creators can achieve professional-grade video with the iPhone.
Tong further detailed that the fifteen iPhone 17 Pro Max devices used for the broadcast were running the Blackmagic Camera App and recording in Apple Log 2 format at 1080p60. Additionally, some camera setups incorporated an attached iPad to serve as a monitor.
Although Apple has not announced plans to exclusively broadcast all its professional sporting events—including the full MLS season, Formula 1, or Friday Night Baseball (MLB)—using iPhones, this special MLS broadcast was undeniably a success. It conclusively proved that Apple's smartphone camera technology is viable in a professional broadcast environment, and the company is increasingly integrating the iPhone into its broader sports broadcast workflow. As Apple stated, the iPhone's ability to access places traditional cameras cannot opens up new possibilities for future sports content production.
