From Bavaria to the Ruhr and the edge of the Black Forest, the Bundesliga brings Germany’s distinct soccer regions together in one 18-club title race. The ultimate prize is the Meisterschale, but watching the battle for that iconic silver shield requires a fresh game plan for stateside fans.
After years in the ESPN ecosystem, Bundesliga coverage has a new U.S. home. Versant’s USA Sports landed exclusive English-language rights through the 2030-2031 season, splitting more than 300 live matches between USA Network and Fandango. Most games will stream free on Fandango, while select fixtures will require access to USA Network.
If you’re looking for the best way to watch Bundesliga action in the U.S., our guide breaks down that updated viewing setup, the season’s key dates, and our top TV recommendations. Keep scrolling to get your fußball fix and find the right combination for complete coverage.
What channels show Bundesliga matches?
You can watch every Bundesliga match in the U.S. with English-language commentary across USA Network and the Fandango streaming platform. At least 30 matches will air on USA Network each season, while all remaining league games stream for free on Fandango.
Spanish-language coverage follows a different setup. Telemundo and Universo will air more than 100 matches each season, while Peacock Premium will stream every Bundesliga match en Español.
Bundesliga TV schedule
The 2026-2027 Bundesliga season runs from August 28 through May 22, packing 34 matchdays around its traditional winter break. Defending champion Bayern Munich is chasing a record 35th Bundesliga title, with Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, VfB Stuttgart, and the rest of the field in pursuit of the Meisterschale.
Exact kickoff times are announced in stages as the season progresses, so check ESPN’s Bundesliga TV schedule for the latest weekly fixtures and start times. Below, we’ve highlighted several rivalry dates and matchups worth circling on the calendar.
Key dates and matchups
- Season opener (Aug. 28, 2026): Bayern Munich begins its title defense at home against VfB Stuttgart.
- Der Klassiker (Oct. 30–Nov. 1, 2026; March 5–7, 2027): Bayern and Borussia Dortmund renew their rivalry twice, first at the Allianz Arena and later at Signal Iduna Park.
- Revierderby (Dec. 4–6, 2026; April 9–11, 2027): Schalke and Dortmund meet twice after the Royal Blues’ three-year Bundesliga absence, bringing one of German soccer’s fiercest local rivalries back to the top flight.
- Final matchday (May 22, 2027): All 18 clubs play their 34th and final league match on the same Saturday.
Best TV plans for watching the Bundesliga in the U.S.
Bundesliga TV coverage works a little differently from most European leagues this season. Fandango streams the vast majority of matches for free, while roughly 10% of the schedule airs exclusively on USA Network.
With that split in mind, our recommendations focus on the best free streaming option, the most affordable live TV companion, and the easiest way to get complete Spanish-language coverage.
Best Free Streaming: Fandango
Fandango should be the starting point for most Bundesliga fans because every regular-season match that doesn’t air on USA Network will stream there for free. And yes, we’re talking about that Fandango — the brand best known for selling movie tickets. Its revamped streaming platform is expanding into live sports, giving Bundesliga fans access to the vast majority of the league schedule without paying for a monthly subscription.
The trade-off is that Fandango alone doesn’t provide complete English-language coverage. You’ll still need a TV service for the select matches that air on USA Network. Since Bundesliga coverage is part of Fandango’s new live-sports push, we’re just as curious as you are to see how the platform handles matchday streaming once the season gets underway.
Best Value for USA Network: Sling TV
When a Bundesliga match lands on USA Network, Sling TV is the cheapest way to fill the coverage gap. Sling Blue starts at $45.99/mo. and includes USA Network alongside popular channels like FS1, TNT, and NFL Network. The downside is that you get a smaller overall channel lineup and just 50 hours of included DVR storage.
If you want a more robust live TV service, Hulu + Live TV is worth considering. It carries USA Network alongside ESPN, FS1, TNT, Telemundo, and dozens of other sports and entertainment channels. You’ll pay considerably more, but the broader lineup and unlimited DVR make Hulu a better fit if your household watches more than just the Bundesliga.
Best Spanish-Language Option: Peacock Premium
For Spanish-speaking Bundesliga fans, Peacock Premium ($10.99–$16.99/mo.) offers the simplest path to complete coverage. Every league match streams with Spanish-language commentary, so there’s no need to bounce between multiple services. That all-in-one setup also makes Peacock a convenient alternative for viewers who don’t mind swapping English commentary for Spanish.
The soccer lineup stretches well beyond Germany’s top flight. Peacock also carries exclusive Premier League matches, Spanish-language USMNT and USWNT coverage, and select Liga MX action, giving fans plenty to watch between Bundesliga matchdays. We’ve been using Peacock since it launched, and that increasingly deep soccer lineup has made it one of our go-to streaming subscriptions for the sport.
Most live TV providers carry the key channels needed for linear Bundesliga broadcasts. Check the comparison table below to see which services include USA Network, Telemundo, and Universo.
| Provider | Price | USA Network | Telemundo* | Universo* | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$171.98/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | — | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | — | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
*May require Spanish-language plan or separate add-on.
How to watch the Bundesliga for free
Watching the Bundesliga for free is much easier this season. Fandango streams every English-language match that doesn’t air on USA Network at no cost, giving you free access to the vast majority of the league schedule.
An over-the-air antenna can also pick up select Spanish-language broadcasts on your local Telemundo station. As long as a broadcast affiliate is within range of your home, you can catch those televised matches without subscribing to any TV service.
If you’re looking for short-term access to USA Network, Telemundo, or Universo, a free live TV streaming trial is your best option. DIRECTV features a five-day free trial, while Fubo offers trials on select plans. Either service can come in handy when a Bundesliga matchup lands on traditional networks.
How to watch the Bundesliga FAQ
Is the Bundesliga still on ESPN+?
No, ESPN+ no longer carries Bundesliga matches in the U.S. beginning with the 2026-2027 season. Versant secured the latest U.S. media rights after ESPN and Paramount+ also showed interest, ending the Bundesliga's six-season run in the ESPN ecosystem.
Does Fandango stream every Bundesliga match?
No, Fandango streams every Bundesliga match that doesn't air on USA Network. At least 30 games per season will air on USA Network, while the rest of the league schedule streams free on Fandango.
Can I watch the Bundesliga on Peacock?
Yes, Peacock streams every Bundesliga match with Spanish-language commentary. Over 100 games per season also air across Telemundo and Universo.
Do I need cable to watch the Bundesliga?
No, a cable subscription isn't required to watch the Bundesliga. Most matches stream for free on Fandango, while games airing on USA Network are available through live TV streaming services like Sling TV or YouTube TV.
Is the Bundesliga on Fubo?
Fubo carries Spanish-language Bundesliga broadcasts via Telemundo and Universo, but it falls short for English-language coverage. That's because Fubo currently doesn't carry USA Network.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched the Bundesliga’s U.S. media rights and evaluated the platforms carrying matches. With English-language coverage now split between free Fandango streams and USA Network broadcasts, Taylor compared those options with live TV providers that carry USA Network. He based his service recommendations on match availability, pricing, viewing features, and overall ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
