Top Sports Streaming Services for NFL, NBA, MLB, and Soccer Fans
Game on! Our TV experts break down the best sports streaming services and reveal our Best of the Best Award winner for ultimate sports fans.
What is the best streaming service for live sports?
The best streaming service for sports depends on which teams, leagues, and players you want to watch. But I’ll help you narrow down your options.
Whether you’re into the NFL, NBA, or something else, the CableTV.com crew and I have tested every service in this guide to help you tune in on game day.
DIRECTV STREAM is our Best of the Best pick for the highest quality, most comprehensive TV experience out there, offering essential sports channels and regional networks.
YouTube TV earns our Editor’s Choice award for those who don’t need every sports channel under the sun but still want a quality experience.
Meanwhile, ESPN+ is our Best Bang for Your Buck, delivering extensive league coverage at a low monthly cost. Read on to find out which sports streaming service is best for you and your home.
✦ Get an in-depth look at how we evaluate TV services on our Why You Can Trust CableTV.com page.
Never miss a buzzer-beater again with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
Stream March Madness without buffering and get a $300 gift card for free when you sign up for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet before 4/2/25. Customers rated it higher than any other 5G internet provider in our 2025 satisfaction survey, and our editors awarded it the Best Bang for Your Buck above every major internet provider in the U.S. Try it free for 15 days and then get up to 8 months of service free thanks to your $300 gift card.*
* Internet bundle price of $35.00/mo. requires one postpaid phone line.
Compare sports streaming services at a glance
Streaming live sports requires more than just access to games—you need a service that’s compatible with your devices, offers the right channels for your favorite leagues, and works seamlessly with your internet setup.
Our comparison table below breaks down the key features of our favorite sports streaming services, including pricing, channel count, simultaneous streams, and DVR storage. For a more in-depth look at each service, be sure to check out our detailed reviews linked in the Details column.
| Streaming service | Price | Live channels | Streams | Cloud DVR | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DIRECTV STREAM Best of the Best |
$74.99–$154.99/mo. | 90–185+ | 3–unlimited | Unlimited (for 9 mos.) |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
|
ESPN+ Best Bang for Your Buck |
$11.99/mo. or $119.99/yr. | N/A | 5 | N/A |
View plans Read ESPN+ review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | 50–291+ | 3–10 | Unlimited (for 9 mos.) |
View plans Read Fubo review |
|
Hulu + Live TV Best of the Best for College Sports |
$81.99–$95.99/mo. | 95+ | 2 | Unlimited (for 9 mos.) |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Paramount+ | $7.99–$12.99/mo. | 30+ | 3 | N/A |
View plans Read Paramount+ review |
| Peacock | $7.99–$13.99/mo. | 75+ | 3 | N/A |
View plans Read Peacock review |
| Sling TV | $45.99–$60.99/mo. | 30–45+ | 1–4 | 50–200 hrs. |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
|
YouTube TV Editor’s Choice |
$82.99/mo. | 100+ | 3 | Unlimited (for 9 mos.) |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Best of the Best: DIRECTV STREAM
Price: $74.99–$154.99/mo. | Live channels: 90–185+ | DVR storage: Unlimited (for 9 mos.)
Pros: Wide RSN availability; large channel counts; user-friendly interface
Cons: Expensive plans; confusing branding
DIRECTV STREAM takes the trophy for the best sports streaming service, offering nearly everything fans could want. With 30+ sports channels, it boasts a robust lineup that includes national and in-market broadcasts. In fact, DIRECTV STREAM has the best local and regional coverage of any streaming service, making it ideal for fans who need access to local teams and niche competitions.
The CHOICE™ plan (regularly $79.99/mo.) is the sweet spot for sports lovers, providing access to regional sports networks (RSNs) and essential channels for NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL games. While super pricey compared to other services, DIRECTV STREAM is transparent about channel offerings, which makes it easier to choose the right plan for your interests.
It’s a customer favorite, too. In our 2025 Live TV Streaming Customer Satisfaction survey, 85% of subscribers were completely or very satisfied with the user experience, while 83% felt the same about the service’s channel offerings. As one customer shared, “I’m very satisfied because of its wide range of channels and user-friendly interface.”
Beyond its impressive content lineup, DIRECTV STREAM stands out with its sleek and straightforward interface. It’s a welcome change from some competitors, whose menus can feel like scrolling through a cluttered social media feed.
Having grown up on cable and satellite TV, I especially appreciate that DIRECTV STREAM still includes channel numbers. Plus, the ability to pause, rewind, and record live TV makes it an all-around winning experience.
Pro tip: RSNs let you watch in-market games not shown nationally. To avoid local blackouts, use DIRECTV’s free RSN lookup tool to see which RSNs are available in your area. That’ll help you decide if DIRECTV STREAM makes sense for you.
Editor’s Choice: YouTube TV
Price: $82.99/mo. | Live channels: 100+ | DVR storage: Unlimited (for 9 mos.)
Pros: Innovative features; consistent performance; multiview capabilities
Cons: No MLB Network or NHL Network; limited RSN coverage
If you want a solid blend of sports and entertainment, YouTube TV delivers the best of both worlds. It’s our Editor’s Choice because it combines reliable performance, innovative features, and a strong channel lineup for less than DIRECTV STREAM’s cheapest plan.
While DIRECTV STREAM is like a fully loaded sports car, YouTube TV is a dependable sedan—practical, efficient, and excellent for everyday use. But don’t mistake dependable for dull. YouTube TV’s multiview feature and real-time stats view make my game days all the more exciting.
YouTube TV includes 100+ live channels, including popular non-sport favorites like AMC, Discovery Channel, FX, and Syfy. With a sleek and familiar interface, YouTube TV is easy to navigate and provides a smooth viewing experience.
From a sports perspective, YouTube TV doesn’t have as many channels as DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo, but it includes the essentials and is home to the NFL Sunday Ticket add-on. That alone makes it the ultimate service for watching NFL games and a standout option for general sports fans.
Best Bang for Your Buck: ESPN+
Price: $11.99/mo. or $119.99/yr. | Live sports: NHL, Bundesliga, La Liga, PGA Tour, UFL, and more | Features: Full 30 for 30 library and exclusive UFC PPV events
Pros: Inexpensive pricing; rich on-demand sports library; plenty of live soccer, MMA, and college sports
Cons: Limited NFL and no NBA games; no traditional ESPN access; regional blackouts
If you’re looking for incredible value, ESPN+ is the way to go. At just $11.99/mo. or $119.99/yr., it offers unmatched league coverage—making it a no-brainer for budget-conscious sports fans.
ESPN+ streams events from nearly every major sports league in the U.S. except the NBA. It’s the exclusive home for out-of-market NHL games, UFC PPV fights, and expanded golf coverage via PGA Tour Live. And the buck doesn’t stop there—especially for soccer fans—as ESPN+ is the exclusive U.S. broadcast partner for the Bundesliga and La Liga.
I fire up ESPN+ several times a week and am always impressed by its amount of live content. That said, I wish the ESPN app had a more user-friendly interface and a watchlist feature. As one subscriber from our On-Demand Customer Satisfaction survey put it, “Sometimes it’s hard to navigate and find the game we want to watch.”
The biggest downside to ESPN+ is that it doesn’t include ESPN’s traditional TV channels. But you can easily bridge that content gap with services like DIRECTV STREAM or YouTube TV. Another great option is Hulu + Live TV because it includes ESPN+ at no extra cost.
Best of the Best for College Sports: Hulu + Live TV
Price: $81.99–$95.99/mo. | Live channels: 95+ | DVR storage: Unlimited (for 9 mos.)
Pros: Disney+ and ESPN+ included; satisfying original programming; on-demand network shows
Cons: No NBA TV or NHL Network; frequent price hikes
Hulu + Live TV is a dream for college sports fans. It combines ESPN+ with ESPN, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, and NBC Sports networks, along with conference channels like Big Ten Network and SEC Network. With both national broadcasts and ESPN+’s exclusive matchups, it’s the ultimate one-stop shop for college game day fanatics.
I’ve had my share of frustrations with the ESPN app, but Hulu + Live TV fixes that by letting you stream ESPN+ content directly in the Hulu app. Its user-friendly interface makes following your favorite teams a breeze, allowing you to add leagues and teams to your watchlist and enjoy unlimited DVR storage.
Throw in Disney+ and Hulu’s massive on-demand library, and you have one of the most versatile streaming services at your fingertips. It edges out DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV in the college sports department—especially for NCAA fans who appreciate endless entertainment options.
Hear from real Hulu + Live TV customers
“I mainly use this to watch movies and sports channels, but it’s good because it has some TV shows that I love.”
Fubo
Price: $14.99–$94.99/mo. | Live channels: 50–291+ | DVR storage: Unlimited (for 9 mos.)
Pros: Excellent international sports coverage; large channel counts
Cons: Expensive plans; no TNT Sports channels
We don’t like Fubo (formerly fuboTV) as much as we did a few years back. Price hikes and ongoing carrier disputes will do that. But if you’re willing to pay for it, Fubo can give you more sports channels than most live TV streaming services. This includes some channels you may have never heard of—unless you’re really into soccer and motorsports. While Fubo launched as a fútbol-centric streaming service, its channel offerings now include entertainment networks and custom add-on options.
Unfortunately, Fubo doesn’t carry any Warner Bros. Discovery networks. You won’t see channels like TBS, TNT, and truTV on any Fubo plan. It’s a significant loss because TNT carries a lot of nationally televised NBA, NHL, and U.S. Soccer matchups, while TBS airs many MLB games. You can also say goodbye to watching most of March Madness.
Paramount+
Price: $7.99–$12.99/mo. | Live sports: NFL, Champions League, March Madness, and more | Features: Live access to your local CBS station in Premium plan
Pros: Local CBS live TV stream (in higher-tier plan); large on-demand TV and movie library
Cons: Scarce sports league coverage; small (but growing) lineup of originals
Paramount+ is more than just a hub for streaming CBS hits like Tracker and Matlock, it’s a worthy pick for live sports. Its Essential plan includes NFL on CBS coverage, Serie A matches, and every thrilling moment of the UEFA Champions League. Upgrade to the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME tier, and you’ll gain live CBS access for even more sports action—a crucial addition for college basketball fans.
I signed up for Paramount+ back when it was called CBS All Access. It’s (thankfully) evolved a lot since then, upping its sports coverage and releasing quality shows like 1883 and Colin from Accounts. But it’s not the most frequently used service in my streaming lineup. Without its exclusive soccer coverage, I likely would’ve moved on by now due to its low frequency of new content and glitchy interface.
Peacock
Price: $7.99–$13.99/mo. | Live sports: NFL, Premier League, Olympics, WWE, and more | Features: Next-day access to current NBC shows
Pros: Inexpensive plans; exclusive NBCUniversal TV shows and movies
Cons: Poor playback controls; limited sports content from USA Network
Being a sports fan can be expensive, but Peacock lets you save money while catching some of the biggest events. I subscribed in 2020 to watch select Premier League games, but it’s also become my go-to for Sunday Night Football, the PGA Tour, the Tour de France, and the Olympics. It also has plenty of WWE content if that’s your jam.
On top of sports, Peacock Premium gives you next-day access to popular NBC shows and a strong collection of hit movies. Universal Pictures’ latest releases usually go to Peacock a few months after their theatrical debut. (I recently watched Twisters on Peacock, and it was a blast.)
If you’re looking for a service that balances sports with a variety of entertainment, Peacock is a solid choice. I’m also happy to report that Peacock’s been rolling out a multiview feature, which works well during busy Premier League matchdays.
Sling TV
Price: $45.99–$60.99/mo. | Live channels: 30–45+ | DVR storage: 50 hrs. included
Pros: Budget-friendly plans; diverse sign-up deals; several add-on options
Cons: Weak local channel coverage; limited DVR storage
Whenever someone wants channels like ESPN, FS1, or TNT for cheap, I often recommend Sling TV because of its low cost and ease of use. At $45.99/mo., its base plans cover some mainstream sports, but serious fans will need the combined Sling Orange + Blue plan and Sports Extra add-on for better coverage. That bumps the price closer to YouTube TV, which has more robust features and programming.
Sling TV’s cost savings come with trade-offs: only 50 hours of included DVR storage and limited local channel access. While it’s budget-friendly, it lacks the features and channels of pricier competitors. That’s why opinions on Sling TV vary—it’s ideal for some but too restrictive for others.
Other top streaming services for sports
Amazon Prime Video
Price: $8.99–$17.98/mo. | Live sports: NFL, WNBA, NWSL, ONE Championship, and more | Features: 25,000+ movies and TV shows included
Amazon Prime Video is gradually becoming a must-have streaming service for sports fans. Anchored by its exclusive Thursday Night Football coverage, it also has select WNBA games, NWSL matches, and ONE Championship bouts. I’m a fan of Prime Video for its WNBA and NWSL content, but my interest will only grow when the service starts broadcasting live NBA games in the 2025–2026 season.
What really sets Prime Video apart is its add-on channels. You can tack on subscriptions like NBA League Pass, MLB.TV, and Max to your plan, giving you even more options to watch your favorite games. While I usually prefer signing up for services individually, adding them through Prime Video is convenient if you’re already a fan of the app interface.
Apple TV+
Price: $9.99/mo. | Live sports: MLB and MLS | Features: 100+ original movies and TV shows
Sports on Apple TV+ is a bit like Amazon Prime Video in its early days—not a huge selection, but it’s growing. Right now, Apple TV+ offers Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders and select MLS matches. While it doesn’t have the extensive sports lineup of other services, it’s worth keeping an eye on as it expands its offerings.
Like Prime Video, Apple TV+ lets you add on other services through its app, including the MLS Season Pass, which streams every MLS game without location restrictions. However, if you’re not into baseball or soccer, Apple TV+ isn’t our go-to for live sports. That said, it’s home to several high-quality original series: Ted Lasso, anyone?
DAZN
Price: $29.99/mo. or $224.99/yr. | Live sports: Boxing, women’s soccer, pool, and more | Features: Exclusive PPV events and 500+ classic fights
In terms of quantity, DAZN is one of the best streaming services for combat sports. It’s got fights from Golden Boy Promotions, Matchroom Boxing, and Most Valuable Promotions. It also carries UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) matches alongside niche sports like pool, darts, chess, and snooker.
The biggest downside to DAZN is its price. At $29.99 a month, you’d expect the service to offer a deeper library of mainstream sports. The price is incredibly disappointing if you’re only interested in specific leagues like the UWCL. Plus, PPV fees still apply for select combat events.
Netflix
Price: $7.99–$24.99/mo. | Live sports: Boxing, NFL, WWE, and more | Features: Marquee live events and award-winning documentaries
Netflix steered clear of live sports for years but finally entered the arena in a big way. After launching with The Netflix Cup golf tournament in November 2023, the service made waves with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight—a ratings juggernaut despite severe technical hiccups. Now, Netflix is home to annual NFL Christmas Day games, WWE Raw, and future FIFA Women’s World Cups.
Live sports on Netflix are still limited, but its sports documentaries remain the real MVP. As someone who loves a good behind-the-scenes story, I’m hooked on series like Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Tour de France: Unchained, and Quarterback.
ViX
Price: $4.99–$8.99/mo. | Live sports: Liga MX, Liga MX Femenil, UEFA Champions League, and more | Features: Live and on-demand TelevisaUnivision movies and TV shows
If you prefer sports en Español, ViX is the best streaming service to have in your corner. The TelevisaUnivision platform streams content from popular Spanish-language networks like Galavisión, TUDN, UniMás, and Univision. Plus, you’ll see exclusives that don’t appear anywhere else.
Sports fans will benefit the most from ViX’s daily dose of live events from Liga MX and UEFA competitions to Argentine Primera División and Liga Mexicana de Beisbol games. It also doesn’t hurt if you’re a telenovela aficionado because ViX comes packed with Spanish soap operas.
What to look for in a sports streaming service
Choosing a streaming service for sports can be overwhelming with so much coverage on different channels and platforms. As a Liverpool fan, I need Peacock, Paramount+, ESPN+, and a live TV streaming service to watch the Reds across all competitions.
To make things easier, here are a few tips to help you shop streaming services.
Sports teams and leagues
Start with the basics: Does the service carry the teams and leagues you love? DIRECTV STREAM might offer the most channels, but that won’t matter if those channels don’t show your favorite teams.
I find shopping for sports streaming services easier when looking at my favorite leagues individually. Our CableTV.com Sports Hub makes this simple with league-specific How To Watch guides for the most popular leagues.
App availability
Make sure the service you choose is compatible with your preferred streaming device, whether it’s Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, or another platform.
Most services in this guide work across major devices, but it’s wise to double-check your device’s app store before committing. New to streaming? Visit our Best Streaming TV Devices page for recommendations.
DVR specs and on-demand content
Cloud DVRs are a lifesaver when you can’t catch games live, especially for sports in different time zones (hello, Chinese Grand Prix!). While unlimited DVR space is now standard for live TV streaming services, most recordings expire after nine months.
On the other hand, on-demand platforms like ESPN+, Paramount+, and Peacock don’t have DVRs. But they store live games for a short time. For example, Peacock keeps Premier League matches available to stream for 30 days after they air.
Best streaming services for live sports FAQ
Which streaming services have live sports?
Most streaming services carry live sports. DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and Sling TV are the most popular live TV streaming services for sports. On-demand streaming services like ESPN+, Peacock, and Paramount+ also carry live sports.
What streaming service has NBA and NFL?
Live TV streaming services often carry national NBA and NFL coverage. Options like DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV offer both leagues’ core channels, but regional coverage will depend on your location. Starting Fall 2025, Amazon Prime Video and Peacock will stream select NBA games on top of their current NFL coverage.
Is Hulu the best for sports?
Hulu + Live TV is a standout option for streaming sports, but it’s not for everyone. After all, the live TV streaming service doesn’t have NBA TV and NHL Network. But it includes ESPN+ at no extra cost, which has excellent college sports coverage.
What is the best free streaming service for sports?
Pluto TV and Tubi are stellar free streaming services that offer 24/7 sports content and occasional live events. But if you want free live access to marquee sports events, we recommend a one-time purchase of a digital antenna. That’ll get you local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC—all of which air a wide selection of sports.
Do regional sports blackouts apply to streaming?
Yes, regional sports blackouts apply to streaming, just like cable and satellite TV. Depending on your location, some games may be available only on specific regional or local channels. Not all TV plans include regional sports networks, but a VPN (virtual private network) can help bypass blackouts by masking your location.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts constantly test TV streaming services year-round, logging thousands of usage hours to ensure our recommendations in this guide stay fresh. With a deep knowledge of sports and TV services, we analyze channel lineups, league coverage, pricing, technical performance, and extra features. Our editorial team also closely monitors industry trends and news to anchor this guide with the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
