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Buying Guide: The Best Sports Streaming Services for 2026
What Streaming Service Do You Need to Watch Sports?
Before you sign up for a sports streaming service, take time to decide which channels you need. NFL fans have the easiest job. All NFL games air on local broadcast affiliates (CBS, FOX, or NBC), ESPN, or NFL Network. You don't have to deal with regional sports networks (RSNs) to watch games. However, the games that air on your local broadcast affiliates will almost always feature local teams; if you are a fan of an out-of-market team, NFL+ and YouTube's Sunday Ticket are your best options. Other sports programming, such as PGA Tour events (CBS, Golf Channel, or NBC) and NASCAR races (FOX, FS1, NBC, or NBC Sports Network), also air on national channels.
Some MLB, NBA, and NHL games air on national channels, too; for example, you can watch NBA games on ABC, ESPN, or NBC. Many of the games from these leagues air on RSNs owned by Sinclair (Bally Sports, formerly FOX Sports), Comcast (NBC Sports), or SportsNet (formerly AT&T). The RSNs vary by location. Check out each RSN's listing page to see which teams they cover and which RSNs these services support. Note that Warner Bros. Discovery is selling off the former AT&T SportsNet RSNs.
Baseball, basketball, and hockey fans should check out our roundups of the best MLB streaming services, the best NBA streaming services, and the best NHL streaming services for all the details on streaming these sports without cable.
How to Stream League-Specific and International Sports
Many individual sports leagues have dedicated streaming services. MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NFL+, NFL Sunday Ticket, and NHL.TV are the best-known examples. Many of these services restrict viewing until after the matchups air in their entirety on regular channels, so most aren't ideal for sports fans who want to watch their local team's drama unfold live.
Many services offer major sports channels for international markets, such as beIN Sports, ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, and Univision Deportes. Still, some require you to subscribe to extra packages for more regional and international sports content.
Dazn, on the other hand, is better for users in international markets (such as Germany, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland) who want to watch mainstream US sports. However, it provides a mix of Boxing, MLB, and MMA content for US subscribers.
Which Streaming Service Is Best for Live Sports?
We restricted this roundup to those services that regularly stream live sports events. After all, there's no point in cutting the cord if you can't watch your favorite teams live. That means you'll find a lot of overlap with our top picks for overall live TV streaming, including Fubo, Hulu, and YouTube TV.
Like cable broadcasts, streaming services are subject to coverage blackouts, so it's a good idea to find a service with both RSNs and local broadcast affiliates, in case one outbids the other for broadcast rights.
The Best Streaming Service With More Than Sports
It's likely that not everyone in your household wants to watch sports exclusively. Therefore, you should consider whether a service has general appeal. For example, many of the best sports streaming services, such as Hulu + Live TV, Paramount+, Peacock, and Prime Video, have extensive libraries of shows and movies in addition to live sports content. Depending on the package, many options cost upwards of $70 per month. Add-ons can easily push that monthly price even higher.
You won't find esports on any of these services, but many game companies broadcast major events for free online. Twitch is your best bet for video game live streaming.
Streaming Sports: DVR, Simultaneous Streams, and Resolution
Sometimes sports coverage, such as international or Olympic highlights, doesn't air at a convenient time. If you can't watch the game for whatever reason, finding a service with good DVR functionality is worthwhile. Many streaming platforms specify the number of hours you can record (some offer unlimited recording), and you can keep recordings in storage for a set amount of time or until you stop paying for your subscription. However, no service we reviewed lets you watch those recordings offline, unlike some on-demand video streaming services.
What if two programs are airing at the same time? Make sure that the video streaming service you pick supports simultaneous streaming. Most services support at least two simultaneous streams, but many have add-ons that increase that limit for an extra monthly fee.
However, a streaming service's picture quality may not always match that of cable. The upper streaming resolution depends on the broadcast, so you may occasionally find games or channels limited to 720p. To enjoy smooth 1080p streaming, ensure your internet connection reaches the service's minimum bandwidth requirement. Hulu + Live TV, Paramount+, and YouTube TV are the services we tested that support 1080p/60fps streams on select platforms. Streaming at 4K resolution requires even more bandwidth (and a compatible screen), and few services support it. Fubo and YouTube TV are exceptions: both broadcast some live events in 4K, though the latter requires an extra monthly fee for that capability.
How Can I Stream Live Sports for Free?
Not all sports events require a subscription to watch them online. Major sports events, such as the Super Bowl or The Masters, are typically free to stream. You can also purchase a TV antenna for free over-the-air local channels, though the number and quality of said channels may vary wildly based on your location. NFL+ has replaced previous free apps with a paid, albeit affordable, tier. Peacock includes select sports in its free tier. In general, though, sports viewers should be prepared to pay.
Yes, illegal options are available too. For example, there's likely a sketchy subreddit (if it hasn't already been shut down) or sports streaming site with several dozen hosted links for whatever matchup you want to watch. We do not condone the use of these sites.