How To Watch the Chicago Cubs
The Cubs embark on a quest for 100 wins and more
Despite the tough five-game postseason loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, I can’t wait to watch the Chicago Cubs in 2026.
The Cubs have won at least 83 games every season since 2023. And last year, they passed the 90-win mark. That upward trajectory is the hallmark of a very good—and potentially great—team. With a bad taste in their mouths from last season’s playoff exit, I expect the Cubbies to be highly motivated for a deep playoff run.
Fans living in the team’s broadcast territory can continue to tune in to Marquee Sports Network for most regular-season games. And this year, they’ll be able to access the channel in even more ways than before. I created this guide for Cubs fans who don’t want to miss a second of the action.
Spring into baseball with DIRECTV!
DIRECTV has the most MLB games, including Spring Training, period.* Not only that, but this season you can catch the World Baseball Classic and tons of college ball streaming on your favorite devices. With so much live action on deck, it's time to get your game together by scouting DIRECTV's packages today.
*Claim based on total games carried on Nat'l and combined local Regional Sports Networks. RSNs avail. with CHOICE package or higher. Avail. of RSNs varies by ZIP code and pkg. Blackouts apply.
Where to watch the Cubs—local TV breakdown
Local Cubs fans only need one channel to catch most games: Marquee Sports Network. For the Cubs, the local broadcast territory includes most of Illinois and Iowa, eastern Nebraska, almost all of Indiana, and Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
New for 2026, the network expanded its streaming availability to include Hulu + Live TV and Amazon Prime Video. On Prime Video, the regional sports network is offered as a premium add-on channel.
Fans who live outside of Chicago’s coverage area will need a streaming subscription to MLB.TV or a cable/satellite plan with the MLB EXTRA INNINGS add-on.
| Channel | Starting price | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquee Sports Network | $19.99/mo. | Most in-market games | DIRECTV, Xfinity, Spectrum, Hulu + + Live TV, Fubo, Marquee Sports Network app |
| MLB.TV | $29.99/mo. | Most out-of-market games | MLB and ESPN apps |
| MLB EXTRA INNINGS | $149.99/season | Most out-of-market games | Cable and satellite services |
Where to watch the Cubs—national TV breakdown
Because the Cubs boast a large, nationwide following, you can expect to see them featured heavily on national TV. You’ll see Chicago stepping into the national spotlight across all major MLB broadcast partners, including FOX, NBC, FS1, TBS, Apple TV, and Peacock.
Many of these national matchups are tied directly to the league’s weekly showcase games. For example, you will find the Cubs on TBS for Tuesday Night Baseball, Apple TV for Friday Night Baseball, and NBC/Peacock for Sunday Night Baseball.
| Network | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV | Friday Night Baseball exclusive games | Apple TV subscription ($12.99/mo.) |
| ESPN | Select regular-season games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| FOX | Saturday MLB games, select primetime matchups, All-Star Game, World Series | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| FS1 | Saturday regular-season games, select postseason games (Division Series, League Championship Series) | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| MLB Network | Regular-season national games, simulcasts, showcase matchups | Cable, satellite, select live TV streaming services |
| NBC | Select Sunday MLB games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| Netflix | Exclusive events (Home Run Derby, MLB at Field of Dreams) | Netflix subscription ($9.99–$26.99/mo.) |
| Peacock | Exclusive Sunday MLB games | Peacock Premium subscription ($10.99–$16.99/mo.), NBCSN (simulcasts) |
| TBS | Regular-season Tuesday night games, select postseason games (Division Series, League Championship Series) | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
Best TV plans for watching the Chicago Cubs
The ideal TV plan for watching as many Cubbies games as possible depends on your location and budget. I typically recommend DIRECTV as the best all-around option because it includes Marquee Sports Network for in-market fans, alongside every traditional national MLB channel. But local fans can skip an expensive live TV package and opt for Marquee’s standalone streaming app for direct access to in-market broadcasts.
Of course, if you live outside of the local broadcast territory, an MLB.TV subscription is absolutely crucial for catching the daily action. You’ll also need to keep Peacock and Apple TV in mind for those exclusive national matchups.
Best Overall
This is the go-to service for Cubs and MLB fans. It includes Marquee Sports Network (ch. 664), as well as most of the national networks you’ll need.
Exclusive Games
There will definitely be multiple games this season where the Cubs will be featured on Apple TV’s Friday Night Baseball showcase.
Exclusive Games
Any Cubs games broadcast on NBC will also stream on Peacock, and there will be a few exclusives on the platform throughout the season.
Out-of-Market Coverage
Fans outside of the Cubs’ broadcast territory will need MLB.TV to stream games either live or on demand.
Watch the Cubs with a free trial
The best way to catch about a week’s worth of Cubs games is by using the free trials available from select live TV streaming services. Again, I recommend DIRECTV for this, but there are others to choose from depending on your channel needs.
| Packages | Price | ESPN | FOX | FS1 | NBC | TBS | MLB Network | RSNs* | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Five days free, then $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM |
| Fubo | Five days free, then $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | — | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for FuboTV |
| YouTube TV | Varies, then $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | — | View Plans for YouTube TV |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Avail. of RSNs varies by zip code and pkg.
Get tickets to see the Cubs!
Buy Chicago Cubs tickets through our partner, StubHub—your source for the best deals on Cubs games and more.
How to watch the Chicago Cubs FAQ
What channel are the Cubs on?
You can watch in-market Chicago Cubs games on Marquee Sports Network during the regular season. Meanwhile, national TV games will air on FOX, NBC, FS1, TBS, Apple TV, and Peacock.
Can I stream Cubs games without cable?
Yes, you can stream in-market Cubs games on Marquee Sports Network's standalone streaming service, which is also available as an add-on through Amazon Prime Video. Live TV streaming services like DIRECTV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV also cover MLB games, while select Cubs games will stream on Peacock Premium and Apple TV.
Why are Cubs games blacked out in my area?
If Cubs games are blacked out for you on MLB.TV, you're likely located within the team's local broadcast territory. In-market fans must tune in via Marquee Sports Network to catch the action.
Can I watch the Chicago Cubs for free?
Unfortunately, there aren't many options to watch the Cubs for free long-term. Utilizing free trials for a live TV streaming service is the only way, but those trials are limited. You can also catch select MLB games over the air using a digital antenna.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com junior sports writer, Alex Vejar, reviewed the details of the 2026 Chicago Cubs schedule. He then researched which TV and streaming providers offered the most channels to watch Cubs games. Using that information, he made a recommendation that he feels is best for Cubs fans.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
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