Watching sports used to be straightforward. You'd simply turn on the TV, and chances are, you'd catch the big game. However, navigating the world of sports streaming today is far more complex. From regional blackouts and additional paywalls to determining which service has exclusive rights to the games you're eager to watch, it's a labyrinth that leaves fans searching for solutions.
With numerous streaming platforms broadcasting live sports, deciding where to watch and which services are worth subscribing to can be daunting. Fortunately, we've done the research for you. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of the best sports streaming services for live games, matches, and fights, tailored to suit every fan's needs.
Hulu + Live TV
Best Streaming Bundle For Sports
Disney Bundle Included
Hulu + Live TV
Includes Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads).
$82.99 at Hulu
Hulu + Live TV offers a robust selection of the most popular sports across more than 95 channels, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, international soccer, UFC, and more. In addition to games on local channels, you can regularly watch sporting events on ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, and FS1, to name a few.
As part of the monthly subscription, Hulu + Live TV also includes the Disney Bundle, providing access to ESPN+, which unlocks additional exclusive sporting events such as UFC and college sports, original programming, and more.
Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial, allowing you to test the service before committing. It's also an excellent choice for watching March Madness games in 2025.
Fubo
Best Variety
$30 Off First Month
Fubo (Pro)
Save $30 off first month after free trial period.
$84.99 save 35%
$54.99 at Fubo
Though not as well-known, Fubo stands out for its extensive variety of sporting events, streaming over 55,000 events annually, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more. International soccer enthusiasts will appreciate access to leagues like the Premier League, LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Liga MX, and Serie A.
For those craving even more sports content, Fubo offers various sports add-on packages that include channels like NFL Redzone, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, numerous international sports channels, and many NCAA conference-specific channels.
Peacock
Best For Premier League Soccer and WWE
Annual Plan Available
NBC Peacock (Premium)
Annual plan available for $79.99/year.
$7.99 at Peacock
Owned by NBC Universal, Peacock provides a wealth of sports content. Premier League soccer, one of the most popular sports globally, is extensively available on Peacock, with season-long live coverage and exclusive matches featuring teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
WWE fans will find Peacock to be an essential service, as it's the exclusive live streaming home for every WWE premium event, including Wrestlemania. Additionally, Peacock offers every NFL Sunday Night Football game and Big Ten college basketball.
ESPN+
Best For UFC and College Sports
Annual Plan Available
ESPN+
Annual plan available for $119.99/year.
$11.99 at ESPN
ESPN+ is the go-to platform for streaming UFC events, including Pay-Per-View (PPV) fights, Fight Nights, and more. While UFC PPV events require an additional $79.99 on top of the ESPN+ subscription, UFC Fight Nights and other events are included at no extra cost. The service also provides access to hundreds of classic UFC fights from its archive.
Additionally, ESPN+ offers an extensive selection of college sports, with over 6,000 men's and women's events such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and more, across 26 conferences.
It's crucial to note that ESPN+ does not provide access to popular ESPN network channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, and others. To watch SportsCenter or ESPN-exclusive televised sporting events, you'll still need a traditional cable or Live TV streaming subscription.
DirecTV Stream
Best Cable Alternative
Limited-Time Offer
DirecTV Stream (Choice)
Includes $10 off for 24 months offer.
$79.99 at DirecTV
DirecTV Stream is the satellite-free offering from DirecTV, available to anyone. This streaming-only option includes everything you'd expect from a cable alternative, such as local networks and popular sports channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN U, NBC Golf, FS1, NBA TV, MLB Network, and the Tennis Channel.
For sports fans, the DirecTV Choice package offers the best value, providing access to over 125 channels, including major nationwide games and a strong selection of regional sporting events based on your location.
New subscribers can enjoy a five-day free trial to test out the service.
Paramount Plus
Best For PGA Golf
Annual Plan Available
Paramount+ (Essential)
Annual plan available for $59.99/year.
$7.99 at Paramount
Paramount+ offers all the sports content you'd expect from CBS Sports, including NFL on CBS games and every UEFA Champions League soccer match. Along with a library of sports movies and TV shows, Paramount+ provides daily programming from CBS Sports HQ, documentaries, and more.
For golf enthusiasts, upgrading to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan is a great option, as it includes everything in the Essential tier and adds access to major PGA Tour events like the Farmers Insurance Open and the Wyndham Championship.
Sports Streaming FAQs
Can You Watch Live Sports For Free?
Yes, you can watch select live sports for free. However, the type of sport and frequency vary significantly. You can access local channels with a TV antenna and watch many popular sporting events, including NFL, MLB, and NBA games, over the air. Streaming services like Sling Freestream also offer ad-supported access to certain live sports.
Which Sports Streaming Services Have Free Trials?
Most of the sports streaming services mentioned above offer free trials. Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Paramount+ provide trials ranging from three days to a week. If timed correctly, you may be able to watch multiple live sporting events during the free trial period. The exceptions are Peacock and ESPN+, though the latter is available as part of the Hulu + Live TV free trial.
For those interested in more than just sports, check out our list of the Best Streaming Services With Free Trials in 2025.
