Best Sports Streaming Services of 2024

Navigating the world of sports streaming services can be daunting. There is an avalanche of streaming services, each offering different packages, exclusive content, and varying price points. 

It’s challenging to find the perfect match for your sports-viewing needs. Regional sports networks continue to be on unstable footing, NBA rights could be shifting to NBC and elsewhere, and ESPN is moving further away from cable this year. 

Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan looking for all the out-of-market games, a soccer devotee needing comprehensive access to international leagues, or simply seeking a reliable service for Sunday football, this guide is tailored to help you.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the top sports streaming services available today. I compare costs, examine the types of sports content offered—from local games to international events—and evaluate additional features like DVR capabilities and multi-screen streaming. 

Choosing the Best Sports Streaming Services

Here is a quick overview of monthly prices, and key channels for each service so you can easily compare your sports streaming options:

Streaming Service	Free Trial	Monthly Price	Key Channels
The Roku Channel	N/A	Free	Free MLB Games on Sunday morning
YouTube TV	Yes	$72.99	ESPN, FOX Sports, ABC, CBS, NBC, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, ACCN, SECN, BTN, TBS, TNT
Hulu + Live TV	Yes	$76.99	ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, CBS Sports Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC
DIRECTV STREAM	Yes	$108.99	ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, SEC Network, Bally Sports Networks, NESN, YES Network
Fubo	Yes	$79.99	ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, Big Ten Network, FOX, Golf Channel, NFL Network, ACC Network, beIN Sports, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, FS1
Sling TV	No	$40 (single), $55 (combined)	ESPN, NFL Network, NFL RedZone, FS1, beIN Sports, ACC Network, SEC Network, Longhorn Network, NBA TV, MLB Network
Paramount Plus	Yes	$5.99 to $11.99	CBS, NFL, UEFA Champions League, SEC Football, Big Ten Conference games
Peacock	No	$5.99	NBC, Sunday Night Football, Premier League, WWE, The Olympics, PGA Tour, The Masters
Amazon Prime Video	Yes	$14.99	NFL Thursday Night Football, New York Yankees (in-market only), ONE Championship MMA, WNBA, (In-market MLB & NBA from Bally Sports)
Fanatiz	Yes	$9.99	beIN Sports, beIN Xtra, GolTV, TyC Sports, Real Madrid TV
ESPN Plus	No	$10.99	MLB, NHL, LaLiga, MLS, Bundesliga, UFC Fight Night, PGA Tour, NCAA FCS games, Monday Night Football simulcasts
MLB.tv	Yes	$29.99	Out-of-market MLB games
Apple TV+	Yes	$9.99	MLB Friday Night Baseball, MLS Season Pass
Venu Sports	TBA	$40-$50 (projected)	ESPN networks, FOX Sports, ABC, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN+

The Roku Channel for free MLB Sunday Leadoff Games

Roku is positioning itself as a player in the world of sports streaming with a slate of free MLB games offered every Sunday on The Roku Channel.

Roku has secured the exclusive multi-year rights to stream Major League Baseball’s Sunday Leadoff games. 

Starting May 19, baseball fans can enjoy 18 games throughout the season for free on The Roku Channel. Notably, there will be no blackout restrictions, making these games available to anyone with an internet connection. You can watch on a Roku device, or without one, on The Roku Channel. 

Cable-Like Sports Alternative on YouTube TV

YouTube TV offers a comprehensive range of top sports channels and broadcast networks just like a cable provider.

Even if you are not that tech-savvy, you will find YouTube TV’s menus easy to use after cutting ties with a cable subscription. The difference is you don’t need a cable box or have to worry about the ever-escalating prices of cable TV or satellite service.

The Base plan features approximately 128 channels. A subscription costs $72.99 per month and includes local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX stations nationwide. ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ESPN, ESPN2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, TBS, and TNT are all part of the base channel lineup.

The YouTube Base plan allows streaming on three devices simultaneously. One of the main benefits of YouTube TV is its extensive coverage for NFL and college football, reaching viewers everywhere in the U.S.

YouTube TV is known for its user-friendly interface and unlimited Cloud DVR. YouTube TV does lack certain sports channels, such as the NHL Network and PAC 12 Network. 

It also misses regional sports networks critical for MLB and NBA fans like Bally Sports, NESN, ROOT Sports Northwest, and YES Network. YouTube TV provides options to add NBA League Pass and MLB.TV for comprehensive season coverage at additional costs of $14.99/month and $29.99/year respectively.

Related: YouTube TV Channels: Plans, Pricing and Add-Ons

Soccer fans might be interested in the YouTube TV Sports Plus package. It costs an extra $10.99 per month. Sports Plus includes 14 channels such as beIN SPORTS, FOX Soccer Plus, NFL RedZone, and more.

The 4K Plus add-on, priced at $9.99 per month, is something sports fans with high-end OLED TVs might want to consider. This add-on has upscaled 4K resolution for select live sports on ESPN, FOX Sports, NBC Sports, and MLB Network.

4K Plus has a few other perks such as unlimited streaming on home networks and offline viewing of DVR recordings. YouTube TV is available on various devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Smart TVs with Android TV or Google TV.

Check out the latest promotions YouTube TV offers to new and returning customers.

Get ESPN+ with ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC on Hulu + Live TV

Hulu Live TV has a full slate of cable networks from ESPN, FOX Sports and ESPN Plus in a single bundle. Aside from streaming live sports on ESPN Plus, Hulu has a Sports Add-on bundle for NFL RedZone and FanDuel TV.

With a Hulu Live TV subscription, you get access to over 90 live TV channels, featuring ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, TBS, and TNT. Hulu recently brought back its free trial for live TV.

The service covers NCAA football or basketball action with channels like ACC Network, Big Ten Network, and CBS Sports Network.

Local NBC, CBS, FOX, and ABC stations are also widely available, giving you coverage for local and national sports. Hulu Live TV is highly recommended for fans of the NFL, college basketball, and college football due to its comprehensive selection of cable channels tailored for sports enthusiasts.

Subscribers benefit from unlimited Cloud DVR and the ability to stream on two devices simultaneously. A subscription is $76.99 per month. ESPN Plus, included with your Hulu subscription, features college football from the Big 12 and Big South, and a dozen conferences.

You can live stream the PGA Tour, UFC Fights, daily MLB and NHL games, and international soccer leagues like La Liga and MLS. Subscribers can use the ESPN app to stream ESPN3 live.

The Sports Add-on package, available for $9.99 per month, includes NFL RedZone, FanDuel TV, and more, enhancing your sports viewing experience. Subscribers also gain access to Hulu’s extensive on-demand library and Disney+.

While Hulu Live includes regional NBC Sports networks, it lacks coverage of Bally Sports, NESN, and ROOT Sports, as well as MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network. Before deciding, you can review which regional sports channels are available in your area on Hulu’s website.

Hulu Live TV also offers a free trial, allowing you to test the service before committing.

Regional Sports Channels & ESPN on DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM is one of two live TV streaming services you should consider when you want access to national sports channels like ESPN and regional sports channels.

The Choice plan provides access to all your local broadcast channels including ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, along with sports-centric networks such as ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, FS1, and SEC Network.

The Choice plan is priced at $108.99 per month. Choice is the entry-level plan for RSNs, but you will also find them in the more expensive Ultimate and Premier plans.

This service – like Fubo – has all Bally Sports networks, from Bally Sports Southwest to Bally Sports South. It also has sought-after RSNs such as YES Network and MASN. For New England sports fans, DIRECTV STREAM also offers NESN.

Choice subscribers enjoy a comprehensive package of more than 105 channels, unlimited Cloud DVR for recording games, and a vast library of over 40,000 on-demand movies and shows. 

The service allows streaming on an unlimited number of screens within your household. You can try any DIRECTV STREAM plan with a free 5-day trial.

DIRECTV STREAM stands out for its extensive channel selection ideal for sports viewers, though it is priced higher than many other services.

With no long-term contracts, subscribers have the flexibility to opt in month-to-month and cancel anytime. DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Smart TVs using Android TV or Google TV.

Consider reviewing the various channel packages available to determine the best fit for your needs.

Bally RSN, YES Network and NESN on Fubo

Fubo, formerly known as fuboTV, has over 188 channels, emphasizing a strong lineup of both national and regional sports networks within its Pro plan.

Included in the Pro plan are major sports channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, Big Ten Network, FOX, Golf Channel, NFL Network, ACC Network, beIN Sports, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and FS1.

The Pro Plan is priced at $79.99 per month and includes unlimited Cloud DVR for capturing all your favorite moments.

Some of the notable regional sports networks available on Fubo include:

• Altitude Sports
• SportsNet Pittsburgh
• Various Bally Sports Networks (e.g., Bally Sports Arizona, Bally Sports Detroit)
• MASN
• Marquee Sports Network
• MSG, MSG+
• NBC Sports Regional Networks (e.g., NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston)
• NESN
• ROOT Sports Northwest
• SNY – SportsNet New York
• YES Network

Fubo imposes an additional fee for RSN coverage in certain markets, including New England and New York.

Related: Fubo channels list for 2024: Plans, Pricing and Add-Ons

You can expand your channel lineup with the Sports Plus bundle, available for an additional $10.99 per month. Fubo’s Sports Plus add-on includes 29 channels such as ESPNU, ESPNews, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, and NFL RedZone.

The Fubo Extra bundle, priced at $7.99 per month, expands the channel offering to include ESPNU, ESPNews, and more entertainment networks. Local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX channels are readily available across most of the U.S. within the Fubo Pro plan.

Subscribers can stream live TV on up to 10 screens simultaneously. FuboTV is compatible with all major streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Smart TVs powered by Android TV and Google TV.

Try Fubo with a 7-day free trial—there’s no obligation to continue, and you can cancel online anytime.

Cheap Sports Channels on Sling TV

Sling TV is currently the cheapest way to get ESPN, ESPN2, and a number of other major cable sports networks such as FS1, and NFL Network.

Sling TV provides two primary channel packages, Orange and Blue, each priced at $40 per month. 

If you’re a diehard sports fan who needs ESPN and a sports channel offered on Sling Blue, you can combine the two primary channel packages for $55 per month.

A major advantage of Sling TV is its affordability. Even if you added the Sports Extra bundle to the Orange or Blue plan, your monthly bill would be $51 per month. 

That’s significantly cheaper than YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM. However, it’s important to note that Sling TV no longer includes regional sports networks (RSNs), which may be a drawback for some sports fans. Local broadcast networks such as ABC, NBC and FOX are offered in limited markets. 

And CBS is not offered anywhere. 

The Sling Orange plan includes 31 channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, and Stadium for $40 per month. Conversely, the Sling Blue plan features NFL Network, FS1, and Stadium among its 41 channels. Local FOX stations are available in 18 markets, and NBC in 11 across the U.S.

Sling Blue allows streaming on three screens simultaneously, while Sling Orange supports streaming on one screen.

The Sports Extra bundle, which costs an extra $11 per month, offers a slightly different lineup to Orange and Blue plans:

• Sports Extra Sling Orange: Adds 14 sports channels, including ACC Network, SEC Network, ESPNU, PAC 12 Network, Longhorn Network, beIN Sports, NBA TV, MLB Network, and more.
• Sports Extra Sling Blue: Includes 12 additional channels such as NFL RedZone, Big 10 Network, NBA TV, FS2, MLB Network, and others.

Sling TV does not require long-term contracts or impose extra fees like traditional cable TV. Start streaming on devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, and more. Prepay for two months and receive a free streaming device as a bonus.

Paramount Plus: Stream Live Sports and More on a Budget

Paramount Plus is an affordable option to stream live sports on CBS, including NFL games, select SEC football games, and the UEFA Champions League.

Beyond sports, Paramount Plus features a diverse range of TV shows from networks like CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, and the Smithsonian Channel.

While the service does not offer a dedicated sports package or sports channels, it provides varying levels of access to live sports across its two main plans:

• The Essential plan is priced at $5.99 per month and includes live NFL games broadcast on CBS on Sunday afternoons, as well as international soccer competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League.
• Paramount Plus with Showtime (previously the Premium plan) allows subscribers to watch additional sports like SEC Football and Big Ten Conference games on CBS, plus major golf tournaments including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, the PGA TOUR, The PGA Championship, and The Masters. It also covers Combate Global MMA.

Subscribers to the Paramount Plus with Showtime plan also receive live streams of their local CBS station, enhancing the service’s value for fans of live sports and local programming.

This plan costs $11.99 per month and allows streaming on up to three screens simultaneously. Subscriptions are month-to-month, providing the flexibility to cancel online at any time.

ESPN Plus: College Football, PGA Tour, Soccer, NHL and MLB

ESPN Plus continues to expand its offerings with an array of live sports events, featuring daily MLB and NHL games, as well as coverage of soccer, the PGA Tour, and UFC Fight Night. It’s also the exclusive home to UFC pay-per-view matches.

Soccer enthusiasts will enjoy live matches from top leagues including LaLiga, MLS, Bundesliga, Dutch Eredivisie, Liga MX, and the EFL Championship.

Subscriptions to ESPN Plus are available at $10.99 per month.  

During the college football season, ESPN Plus covers over 350 FCS games from more than a dozen conferences, including:

• Big 12
• Big South
• Conference USA
• Ivy League
• Mid American
• Mid Eastern
• Missouri Valley
• Northeast
• Ohio Valley
• Southern
• Southland
• Southwestern
• Sun Belt

NFL fans can catch select simulcasts of Monday Night Football games on ESPN Plus, featuring special commentary on the “Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli” feed, offering insights from the legendary Manning brothers.

ESPN Plus allows users to pause, rewind, and replay live sports, and many games are available on-demand even after they conclude.

While it does not include the full suite of ESPN cable TV channels, ESPN Plus provides unique sports content not typically available on standard networks.

To access ESPN Plus on your TV, simply download the ESPN app on devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation 4, Samsung Smart TVs, or Xbox One.

Peacock: Your Hub for Live Sports and More

Peacock draws upon NBC and NBC Sports to bring subscribers Sunday Night Football along with a variety of other live sporting events. 

Subscribers get comprehensive coverage of Golf, NASCAR, INDYCAR, Premier League soccer, and WWE events under the Premium plan.  

Many of these sports events are also broadcast on NBC, including high-profile events such as the Olympics.

The Premium plan is affordably priced at $5.99 per month. During the college football season, subscribers can also stream live Notre Dame football games and Big Ten basketball.

Peacock allows streaming on up to three screens simultaneously, making it easy to watch different events or shows on multiple devices. The Premium Plus plan costs $11.99 per month and offers ad-free streaming for on-demand shows and movies. Premium Plus subscribers also get a 24/7 live stream of a local NBC station. 

Amazon Prime Video: Thursday Night Football (and probably local MLB games)

Amazon Prime and Prime Video subscribers now have exclusive access to stream every Thursday Night Football game during the regular NFL season.  

However, Amazon Prime has a tentative deal to become the new streaming home for most in-market MLB and NBA games across the U.S. as part of a deal with Diamond Sports Group. These games are currently offered through Bally Sports RSNs, but are expected to be rebranded and offered as an add-on streaming option in local markets. 

Amazon Prime is available for $14.99 per month, while Prime Video can be subscribed to separately for $8.99 per month. Both services offer a 30-day free trial, providing ample time to explore the extensive content without commitment.

Amazon’s strategy clearly shows its intention to expand aggressively into the sports streaming market.

Fanatiz: Cheap Streaming for International Soccer

Fanatiz is a niche live TV streaming service dedicated to international soccer. It offers both English and Spanish broadcasts of popular sports networks like beIN Sports, beIN Xtra, GolTV, and dedicated channels for Real Madrid.

A Fanatiz subscription is priced at $9.99 per month in the U.S. for the Front Row plan, which includes a 7-day free trial. An annual subscription is also available for $89.99.

In the United States, Fanatiz provides access to 13 live TV channels:

• beIN Sports (English and Spanish)
• beIN Sports Xtra (English and Spanish)
• TyC Sports
• GolTV (English and Spanish)
• RCN Our Tele
• CATV
• Tigo Sports
• Real Madrid TV (English and Spanish)

Compared to other streaming services like Sling TV and Fubo, Fanatiz offers a more affordable way to access extensive international soccer content. While it lacks a Cloud DVR feature, Fanatiz compensates with an on-demand section for replaying previous soccer matches.

Fanatiz supports a variety of devices, including Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast with Google TV, Android TV, and Apple TV, ensuring you can stream games live on almost any platform, as well as on a PC.

MLB.tv: For Out-of-Market MLB Fans

MLB.tv is the key streaming service for baseball fans who want to follow teams outside their local market. It provides live streams of all out-of-market MLB games, making it a must-have for fans who do not reside in the home market of their favorite teams.

Due to local broadcasting rights, MLB games are blacked out in their home markets, which makes MLB.tv particularly valuable for fans living in different areas or those who follow multiple teams across the country.

A subscription to MLB.tv is priced at $29.99 per month. For Amazon Prime members, there’s an added benefit: a free 7-day trial available through Amazon Channels, after which the standard subscription rate applies.

Fans can also subscribe directly through the MLB.tv website or via various app stores, ensuring comprehensive access to games no matter where you are or which device you prefer to use.

Apple TV+ for MLB Games and MLS Soccer

Apple TV+ offers a growing selection of sports content at a competitive price, making it a go-to platform for diverse sports viewing. 

For soccer enthusiasts, the MLS Season Pass is now the exclusive hub for all MLS games, thanks to Apple’s 10-year streaming rights deal that started in 2023. This means MLS games are no longer available on traditional broadcasters like ESPN and Univision.

For those wondering about MLS soccer on cable networks, some games continue to be broadcast on FOX, FS1, and FOX Deportes due to a separate broadcasting rights agreement with FOX in the U.S.

This strategic move by Apple TV+ underscores the broader trend of live sports transitioning to online streaming platforms, similar to strategies by Amazon Prime and others.

In addition to soccer, Apple TV+ hosts “Friday Night Baseball” during the 2024 MLB season, featuring two games every Friday night. There is no add-on package required for MLB games.

Subscriptions to Apple TV+ are available for $9.99 per month following a 7-day free trial. This subscription not only offers access to MLS and MLB games but also includes Apple’s acclaimed lineup of original movies and TV shows.

The MLS Season Pass costs $12.99 per month for Apple TV+ subscribers. For non-subscribers, the Season Pass is available for $14.99 per month, providing flexible options for fans.

Unlike services such as MLB.tv or ESPN Plus, Apple TV+ does not have blackouts for MLB games, ensuring fans can watch their favorite teams without interruption.

Apple TV+ is compatible with a wide array of devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, and Smart TVs from major brands, ensuring that viewers worldwide can access these games and more.

Venu Sports: Get ESPN, FOX, & TNT together

ESPN, FOX, and Warner Bros. Discovery is joining forces to launch a new sports-focused streaming service called Venu Sports in fall 2024. This still-unnamed platform is designed to deliver the first comprehensive sports-only streaming service. 

The service will feature roughly 14 cable and broadcast networks.

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, and truTV are the confirmed channels to date. Subscribers will get ESPN+ as part of their subscription package.

Pricing details for Venu Sports have yet to be officially announced, but it is anticipated to cost between $40 and $50 per month.  

Subscribers will enjoy a diverse array of live sports programming that was previously limited to cable and satellite providers. This includes:

• Professional Football: Coverage of NFL and UFL.
• Basketball: NBA and WNBA games.
• Baseball: Entire MLB season and playoffs.
• Hockey: NHL games.
• College Sports: Comprehensive coverage from top conferences and NCAA Championship Events.
• Golf: Major tournaments, including the PGA Tour and The Masters.
• Tennis: Grand Slam events like Wimbledon and the US Open.
• Cycling: Key races, such as the Giro d’Italia.
• Soccer: Both international and domestic competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and UEFA.
• Combat Sports: UFC fights and Top Rank boxing.
• Auto Racing: Formula 1, NASCAR, and other endurance races.

Venu Sports will be available both as a standalone subscription and as an add-on through platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and Max.