There are four ways for local Boston Celtics fans to watch every live game. Whether you’re in Boston or cheering from afar, this comprehensive guide ensures you won’t miss a play.
What channels are Boston Celtics games on?
In-market fans can watch the Celtics play at home on NBC Sports Boston. National broadcast games are on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV. Out-of-market fans can subscribe to NBA League Pass.
Boston Celtics Schedule on NBC Sports Boston
I’ve gathered the information about the Boston Celtics games from December 1 to the end of the year. Here’s the table with the details including date, time, opposing team, and TV channels:
Date | Time (ET) | Opposing Team | TV Channels |
---|---|---|---|
Dec 1, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Philadelphia 76ers | NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia |
Dec 4, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Indiana Pacers | Bally Sports Indiana, NBC Sports Boston |
Dec 12, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Cleveland Cavaliers | NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Ohio |
Dec 14, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Cleveland Cavaliers | NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Ohio |
Dec 15, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Orlando Magic | NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Florida |
Dec 17, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Orlando Magic | NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Florida |
Dec 19, 2023 | 10:00 PM | Golden State Warriors | NBC Sports Boston |
Dec 20, 2023 | 10:00 PM | Sacramento Kings | NBC Sports Boston, NBCSCA |
Dec 23, 2023 | 3:30 PM | LA Clippers | Bally Sports SoCal, NBC Sports Boston |
Dec 25, 2023 | 5:00 PM | Los Angeles Lakers | ABC, ESPN |
Dec 28, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Detroit Pistons | NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports DET, NBA TV |
Dec 29, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Toronto Raptors | NBC Sports Boston, NBA League Pass |
Dec 31, 2023 | 7:00 PM | San Antonio Spurs | Bally Sports SW-SA, NBC Sports Boston |
How to Watch Boston Celtics games for free
Boston Celtics fans can also catch some nationally televised games on ABC using a TV antenna.
The Boston Celtics have several high-profile games scheduled to air on ABC.
Fans can look forward to witnessing the Celtics’ prowess in key matchups, including the much-anticipated Christmas Day game against the Los Angeles Lakers, a historic rivalry that never fails to deliver intense basketball action.
With 15 appearances across ESPN and ABC, the Celtics, led by the dynamic Jayson Tatum, are poised to showcase their talent on the national stage.
The season also features intriguing games against the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, adding to the excitement. Celtics fans, mark your calendars for these must-watch games!
Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Event |
---|---|---|---|
Dec 25, 2023 | Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers | 5 p.m. | Christmas Day Game |
Feb 24, 2023 | Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks | 8:30 p.m. | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
Mar 9, 2023 | Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns | 8:30 p.m. | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
Feb 11, 2023 | Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat | 2 p.m. | ABC Sunday Showcase |
Mar 3, 2023 | Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics | 3:30 p.m. | ABC Sunday Showcase |
Here are some resources that I have assembled over the years from my own hands-on testing.
- Review: The Best Indoor TV Antennas
- Review: The Best Outdoor TV Antennas
DIRECTV STREAM
- 5-day free trial
- Unlimited Cloud DVR
- Unlimited Screens within household
PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
---|---|---|
Entertainment | $79.99/month | 75+ |
Choice | $108.99/month | 105+ |
Ultimate | $119.99/month | 140+ |
Premier | $164.99/month | 150+ |
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has all the channels you need to watch the Boston Celtics in the Choice plan.
The Choice plan is the entry-level package that includes NBC Sports Boston. A subscription costs $108.99 per month for 105 channels. NESN, TNT, ESPN and NBA TV and local channels are included in the Choice lineup.
You get unlimited Cloud DVR and options to record games from specific sports teams.
The Choice package has a wide selection of sports channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and Big Ten Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $99.99 per month.
The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including locals, and sports channels such as NHL Network. The Ultimate package is $109.99 per month.
The Premier package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription is $154.99 per month.
The Entertainment package has more than 75 channels, but it does not carry regional sports channels such as NBC Sports Boston or NESN.
Subscribers to Entertainment, Choice or Ultimate can get three months of Max, Showtime, Cinemax and MGM+ for free before the monthly rates kick in.
All subscribers get unlimited hours of Cloud DVR storage and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.
You can watch live TV on unlimited screens within your home. There are no contracts. You can subscribe month to month and cancel whenever you want.
DIRECTV STREAM is ideal for viewers seeking a broad selection of channels, surpassing Fubo’s sports-focused lineup. It has a more diverse range of entertainment options. Though pricier, DIRECTV STREAM is a better pick for those desiring a comprehensive package similar to traditional cable.
Fubo
- Free trial
- 1,000 hours Cloud DVR
- 10 simultaneous streams
PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
---|---|---|
Pro | $74.99/month | 182 |
Elite | $84.99/month | 248 |
Premier | $94.99/month | 257 & Showtime |
Fubo (formerly fuboTV) has 182 channels including NBC Sports Boston, NESN, ESPN, local channels and NBA TV. You won’t find TNT on fubo.
New England sports fans get NESN and NESN Plus with their subscription. The Fubo starter plan costs $74.99 per month. Subscribers can watch live TV on 10 screens at a time.
You will be able to record games using 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR. The “lookback” feature also maintains an on-demand style menu for games that aired in the last 72 hours.
A regional sports fee is included, and costs between $10.99 to $13.99 per month.
The Elite plan is $84.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Premier plan has 231 channels, including Showtime, for $94.99 per month. There are no contracts or obligations if you don’t like the service.
Fubo is excellent for dedicated New England-based sports fans, offering NESN and NBC Sports Boston for Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics games. It provides more sports-focused content compared to Hulu with Live TV, ideal for those primarily interested in regional sports coverage.
Just cancel before the end of your free trial if you decide the service is not for you.
Hulu + Live TV
- Sign up & get Disney+ and ESPN+ included
- Unlimited Cloud DVR (9 mos.)
- Two simultaneous streams
PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
---|---|---|
Hulu + Live TV | $76.99/month | 90+ |
Hulu with Live TV has ESPN, NBC Sports Boston, TNT and local channels such as ABC. It has all the channels you will need to watch every Celtics game.
The live TV package has 90 channels, Disney+ Hulu’s on-demand library and ESPN+. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR to record shows, movies and sporting events. It has all the channels you will need to watch every Celtics game this season.
You can watch live TV on two screens at once. And if you’re using a Roku, Apple TV or Fire TV, you can use your Hulu subscription to activate dozens of apps. A subscription costs $76.99 per month.
Hulu with Live TV suits Celtics fans who also value a mix of sports and entertainment, including Hulu’s extensive on-demand library, a feature not offered by YouTube TV. It’s a great choice for households looking for both live and on-demand content.
YouTube TV
- Free trial
- Unlimited Cloud DVR
- Three simultaneous streams
PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
---|---|---|
YouTube TV | $72.99/month | 128 |
YouTube TV has local channels, TNT, TBS and NBC Sports Boston. A subscription costs $72.99 per month.
The base plan has 128 channels offering a mix of sports networks, news and entertainment channels.
The YouTube TV base plan carries other key sports channels for fans such as TNT, TBS, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and MLB Network. YouTube TV carries regional NBC Sports networks across the U.S. ESPN, FOX and TNT are part of the channel lineup. You can watch live TV on three screens at once.
You’ll be able to watch CNN, Golf Channel and HGTV. Unlimited Cloud DVR is included with a subscription. And you can create up to 6 profiles for a household per account.
The service works with Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield TV, Apple TV and Chromecast.
YouTube TV is recommended for Celtics fans seeking a comprehensive sports and entertainment package, including multiple regional sports networks. It’s a solid alternative to fuboTV for those preferring a broader variety of channels.
Can I watch the Boston Celtics on Sling TV?
You can watch some, but not all Boston Celtics games on Sling TV.
Celtics games that air on TNT and ESPN are available through the Sling Orange plan. But Sling TV doesn’t NBC Sports Boston, which carries the most Celtics games. ABC stations are available in a limited number of TV markets.
Sling Orange costs $40 per month. Roku, Amazon Fire TV and just about any other streaming device has an app for Sling TV.
The first month of a subscription costs only $10. There are no contracts, and you can cancel anytime.
What’s the best way to watch Boston Celtics games without cable?
STREAMING SERVICES | PROS | CONS |
---|---|---|
DIRECTV STREAM | Comprehensive channel lineup, unlimited DVR, multiple package options. Includes NESN and NESN Plus. | Higher monthly cost, extra fee for premium channels |
Hulu with Live TV | Includes ESPN, NBC Sports Boston, TNT, Disney+, and Hulu’s on-demand library | Single plan option, higher cost |
fuboTV | Wide range of channels including regional sports, 1,000 hours of DVR, “lookback” feature. Includes NESN and NESN Plus. | Regional sports fee applies, higher base price. |
YouTube TV | Extensive range of channels, unlimited DVR, supports multiple screens | Single plan option. No NESN. |
For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.
I had Fubo for over a year to watch Revolution matches (NBCSports Boston too) and was very satisfied with the streaming service, but their fees kept going up. I’m switching to YouTube TV this season because it’s a little cheaper.
So what is best option, we have Verizon internet and ps4 hubby has to have every Celtics game, no problem buying roku, not sure what to get bye, YouTube live, hululive.. or just buy an antenna for outside
I had slingtv recently and it seems as though you can add the sports channel on top of regular programming with sling to watch all of Celtics games. Its a regional sports channel for Celtics. However, I did not care for the formatting of the sling program. It seems to have issues.
7/22/2018
Re DirecTV Now:
“NBC Sports Boston, ESPN and TNT are part of a 60+ channel lineup that costs $35 per month.”
This bit is flat out wrong. I just signed up for DirecTV Now in the hopes of getting Boston Celtics games all season, but when I did, I couldn’t find access to NBC Sports Boston.
I chatted with a customer service agent. It turns out, NBC Sports Boston is a Regional Sports Network that’s only available in the $50/mo package, not the $35/mo package.
Your article needs to be corrected.
Sorry to hear about that, Eugene. If that’s so, DTVN needs to correct it’s own site.
See: http://cdn.directv.com/content/dam/dtv/gmott/html/compare-packages-account.html
I’ll follow up on this.
Greetings from South Carolina. Local options include only southern sports networks as of January 2019. Please understand that not everyone reading this is from New England. I have yet to *truly* find all 82 games from any one service – someone please correct me if I’ve missed an option. #CelticsNation.
PS Vue does let you watch Celtics/Sox/Bruins away from your home network. You just have to log in and stream on your home network once with the device you want to use. Then you are able to stream whenever and wherever with that device.