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This guide to the best sports streaming services tells you where to watch the games you care about most, as well as which platforms have DVR capabilities, discounted bundles, add-on options, and location restrictions, so you’re less likely to miss one of those heart-stopping plays. But it’s not easy to figure out which streaming service is best for sports.
A good service for streaming sports gives you access to all the channels you need to watch the games you want. Still, it can be hard to find the right service for your needs and location because not all of them carry your local sports network. (RSN). We’ve put together a list of the best sports streaming services so you can see what you can watch.
Best Sports Streaming Services Comparison Table
| Streaming Service | Features | Price/month (USD) | Visit Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu | Live TV and on-demand streaming, original content, add-ons | $5.99 – $70.99 | Visit Website |
| Peacock | Live TV and on-demand streaming, original content, add-ons | $4.99 – $9.99 | Visit Website |
| YouTube TV | Live TV and on-demand streaming, cloud DVR, 85+ channels | $64.99 | Visit Website |
| Sling TV | Live TV streaming, customizable channel lineups | $35 – $50 | Visit Website |
| ESPN+ | Live sports streaming, original content, replays | $6.99 | Visit Website |
| FuboTV | Live TV and on-demand streaming, cloud DVR, 100+ channels | $64.99 – $84.99 | Visit Website |
| Paramount Plus | On-demand streaming, live TV, sports, news, and originals | $4.99 – $9.99 | Visit Website |
| DirecTV Stream | Live TV and on-demand streaming, cloud DVR, 65+ channels | $69.99 – $139.99 | Visit Website |
Hulu
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| On-demand content | Access to a wide selection of TV shows, movies, and Hulu Originals |
| Live TV | Ability to watch live TV from popular networks |
| Add-ons | Additional channels and features can be added for an extra cost |
| User profiles | Create profiles for multiple users with personalized content recommendations |
| Offline downloads | Download select content to watch offline |
| Cloud DVR | Record live TV to watch later |
| Ad-supported plans | Lower cost plans available with limited ads |
If you like sports, Hulu is a great streaming service to use. All of the major broadcast networks and many sports-focused cable channels are part of the service. These include BTN, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, and NBC Sports Network.
A few league-specific channels, like MLB Network, NBA TV, and RSNs from AT&T and Sinclair, aren’t on it, though. Before the next NFL season starts, Hulu will add NFL Network and NFL RedZone. If you pay for the Espaol add-on, you can also watch sports from around the world.
- Huge library of shows and films to choose from
- Live TV is available.
- Reasonable Costs
- Access without ads is an option.
- Inadequate International Material
- Fewer alternatives to watch content offline
The Good
The Bad
Peacock
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Access to a limited selection of content with ads |
| Premium plans | Expanded selection of content with additional features |
| Originals | Exclusive Peacock Originals available |
| Live TV | Ability to watch live TV from popular networks |
| Sports coverage | Access to live sports and exclusive coverage |
| Kid-friendly content | Dedicated section with child-friendly shows and movies |
| User profiles | Create profiles for multiple users with personalized content recommendations |
| Offline downloads | Download select content to watch offline |
To watch sports on Peacock, you have to pay for one of its paid tiers. For sports fans, the best thing about Peacock is that it shows Sunday Night Football and Premier League soccer. Along with IndyCar and WWE content, the service recently added live betting show for the PGA Tour.
Peacock is for people who want to watch sports as a part of their regular entertainment. The Office is the most popular show in Peacock’s on-demand library, but you can also watch other NBC shows like 30 Rock, Cheers, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, Will and Grace.
- Free plan with ads is offered
- Lots of NBC shows and films to choose from
- Original material that is only available live
- There isn’t much non-NBC material to choose from, and the ads on the free plan can be annoying.
- On the premium plan, you can only watch two shows at once.
The Good
The Bad
YouTube TV
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Live TV | Access to live TV from popular networks |
| Unlimited DVR | Record and store an unlimited amount of live TV |
| Multiple streams | Up to three simultaneous streams per account |
| User profiles | Create profiles for multiple users with personalized content recommendations |
| Sports coverage | Access to live sports coverage, including ESPN and local networks |
| On-demand content | Selection of TV shows and movies available for on-demand streaming |
YouTube TV has a great selection of live sports channels, including all of the broadcast networks, CBS Sports Network, several ESPN Channels, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, Olympic Channel, and Tennis Channel.
Add-ons like Fox Soccer Plus, NBA League Pass, and Sports Plus cost extra each month. Keep in mind, though, that YouTube TV doesn’t have any international channels or the NFL Network. It also doesn’t have RSNs from AT&T or Sinclair, but it does have RSNs from NBC Sports.
- Offers over 85 stations
- Cloud DVR recording with no limits
- Interface that’s easy to use
- Five simultaneous streams
- Only sold in some parts of the US
- No way to watch videos offline
- There are no plans for sports.
The Good
The Bad
Sling TV
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Live TV | Access to live TV from popular networks |
| Customizable plans | Ability to create a custom plan with selected channels |
| Cloud DVR | Record live TV to watch later |
| On-demand content | Selection of TV shows and movies available for on-demand streaming |
The main idea behind Sling is that it gives you access to some broadcast channels and a lot of cable channels for a much lower price than Xfinity or Spectrum. There are two basic packages, called Orange and Blue, and each has a different set of channels.
Sling says that if you like the NBA, you should choose Orange because it has three ESPNs and TNT. Blue, on the other hand, is better for college basketball because it has TBS and truTV. For $50 a month, you can sign up for both.
- Prices that are fair
- Customised sets of channels
- Available in different languages
- Choices for Cloud DVR
- Few local channels to choose from
- No CBS material available
- Some stations can’t be watched without extra add-ons.
The Good
The Bad
ESPN+
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Live sports | Access to live sports coverage from popular networks |
| On-demand content | Selection of sports documentaries, series, and other original programming |
| Exclusive content | Exclusive access to certain live sports events and coverage |
| Multiple streams | Up to three simultaneous streams per account |
| Offline downloads | Download select content to watch offline |
You can get ESPN+ on its own, but keep in mind that it’s not the same as watching ESPN the channel. It doesn’t have a lot of live sports to choose from, so it’s more of a nice addition or a cheap add-on if you’re a hockey fanatic than a full-fledged live streaming service.
Still, for the price, it does a good job. It has a lot of popular soccer, hockey, tennis, golf, cricket, lacrosse, and college sports leagues. It has all of the 30 for 30 series and other documentaries made by ESPN. Overall, it is one of the best sports streaming services that you can buy.
The Good
- Prices that are fair
- Access to live sports events first
- Original work
- Alerts and messages that can be changed
The Bad
- No access to big sports networks like ESPN or Fox Sports. Only a few live events to choose from.
- No way to watch videos offline
FuboTV
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Live TV | Access to live TV from popular networks |
| Cloud DVR | Record live TV to watch later |
| Multiple streams | Up to three simultaneous streams per account |
| On-demand content | Selection of TV shows and movies available for on-demand streaming |
| Sports coverage | Access to live sports coverage, including local networks and international leagues |
| News coverage | Access to live news coverage from popular networks |
| User profiles | Create profiles for multiple users with personalized content recommendations |
| Spanish-language | Dedicated section with Spanish-language programming and content |
FuboTV costs $74.99 per month and has more than 130 channels, which is the same as most other live streaming services. A seven-day free trial is also available, which is becoming less common among live TV services. When it comes to sports, this is one of the best ways for people who live outside of the country to watch games online.
For $7 a month, you can add International Sports Plus, which gives you access to Fox Deportes, GOLTV, Zona Futbol, TyC Sports, RealMadrid TV, and more. You can watch sports from around the world, as well as ESPN, ESPN2, and USA Network. There are also AT&T and NBC Sports RSNs on the service.
The Good
- Offers a wide range of live and on-demand sports programmes.
- Gives you access to a cloud DVR that can store up to 500 hours of video.
- Allows streaming on up to three devices at the same time.
The Bad
- Prices can be more expensive than those of some of its competitors.
- In some places, you might not be able to get some local stations.
- Few stations that aren’t sports-related.
Paramount Plus
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| On-demand content | Selection of TV shows, movies, and exclusive Paramount Plus Originals |
| Live TV | Access to live TV from popular networks |
| Sports coverage | Access to live sports coverage, including NFL games and events |
| User profiles | Create profiles for multiple users with personalized content recommendations |
| Offline downloads | Download select content to watch offline |
| Ad-free option | Option to upgrade to an ad-free plan for an extra cost |
The NFL and PGA Tour fans will like Paramount Plus the most because it lets them stream sports. Fans of sports should choose the $9.99 per month plan that doesn’t have ads instead of the $4.99 per month plan. With the upgraded plan, you can watch CBS live, which means you can live stream local NFL games, PGA events, and even March Madness.
The NWSL women’s soccer league, the UEFA Champions League, Concacaf, the Liga Profesional de Ftbol, and more are all available on Paramount Plus. If you also want a library of shows that you can watch whenever you want, Paramount Plus is a better deal. Some games come in the high-quality 4K format. Paramount Plus can even be added to other services, like Amazon Prime Video.
The Good
- Offers access to a huge library of TV shows, films, and live sports from ViacomCBS.
- Offers exclusive shows and material made just for it.
- Allows streaming on up to three devices at the same time.
The Bad
- Some TV shows and films might not be available in some areas.
- The version that has ads may make it hard to watch.
- The layout can be hard to understand and messy.
DirecTV Stream
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Live TV | Access to live TV from popular networks |
| Cloud DVR | Record live TV to watch later |
| Multiple streams | Up to three simultaneous streams per account |
| On-demand content | Selection of TV shows and movies available for on-demand streaming |
| Sports coverage | Access to live sports coverage, including local networks and international leagues |
| User profiles | Create profiles for multiple users with personalized content recommendations |
| Spanish-language | Dedicated section with Spanish-language programming and content |
DirecTV Stream has the most local sports coverage by a long shot. For example, a subscriber in Baltimore, Maryland can use MASN and NBC Sports Washington to watch Nationals, Orioles, Wizards, and Capitals games. But if you want to watch RSNs in your area, you have to sign up for the Choice, Ultimate, or Premier plans, which can get pretty pricey.
Three of DirecTV Stream’s four packages include regional sports as well as the MLB Network, NBA TV, four ESPN channels, and a few NCAA conference networks like the Big Ten, ACC, and SEC. If your family is split up or you just don’t want to miss any of the action during football season or March Madness, DirecTV lets you and everyone else watch as much content as you want at the same time.
The Good
- There are a lot of stations and packages to choose from.
- Gives you access to a cloud DVR that can store up to 500 hours of video.
- Allows streaming on up to three devices at the same time.
- Cons:
The Bad
- Prices can be more expensive than those of some of its competitors.
- The user design can be hard to understand and use.
- In some places, you might not be able to get some stations.
FAQs
In the United States, there are channels like MLB.TV, NBA League Pass (which includes NBA TV), Paramount+ (which has some sports events from CBS Sports), PGA Tour Live, Motortrend, MOTV, FuelTV, and The Surf Network.
Subscribers to Prime Video sports channels can watch major professional leagues like MLB, NBA, soccer (also called “futbol”), and NFL, as well as some niche sports and events.
At the moment, DirecTV Stream is the only service we’ve looked at that has RSNs from all of these owners. However, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all have NBC Sports RSNs. Which RSNs you need in your market to watch sports depend on where you live.
You can stream live and local sports, news, and shows from 100+ channels like CBS, FOX, NBC, HGTV, TNT, and more on YouTube TV. We have full coverage of local networks in over 98% of US TV households, so make sure to find yours above.