A Guide to Sports Streaming Services: Find the Best Options for Your Favorite Games

For sports fans, keeping up with games, matches, and tournaments has become easier with the rise of streaming services dedicated to live sports. Whether you’re a fan of football, basketball, soccer, or niche sports, there are many options for streaming sports content. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best sports streaming services, what each offers, and tips for selecting the right one for your needs.

1. ESPN+

Monthly Cost: Around $10, or bundled with Disney+ and Hulu for Around $13

Best For: Fans of mainstream and niche sports, including UFC, soccer, MLB, and college sports.

Features:

  • Extensive coverage of sports, from major leagues like the NHL and MLS to niche sports like rugby and cricket.
  • Exclusive access to UFC fight nights and pay-per-view events, plus boxing and Top Rank fights.
  • Includes ESPN Originals, like Peyton’s Places and 30 for 30 documentaries, giving fans additional sports-related content.
  • Access to replays and classic games in the ESPN+ library, allowing fans to rewatch big moments.

Downside: ESPN+ doesn’t offer live NFL, NBA, or major college football games outside of some smaller conferences. It’s more of a complement to other sports streaming options rather than a complete solution for all major sports fans.

Ideal For: Fans looking for exclusive access to specific sports like UFC or wanting documentaries and original content beyond live games.

2. FuboTV

Monthly Cost: Starts around $75 for the Pro package

Best For: Viewers wanting a cable-like experience with live sports and general TV channels.

Features:

  • Includes over 100 live channels, focusing on sports networks like ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and regional sports networks (RSNs).
  • Offers 4K streaming for select sports, which is ideal for watching big games in high quality.
  • FuboTV includes DVR functionality, so you can record games to watch later, plus the option for simultaneous streaming on multiple devices.
  • FuboTV covers NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and international soccer leagues, making it a well-rounded option for sports fans.

Downside: One of the more expensive options, especially if you’re just looking for a specific sport or league.

Ideal For: Those who want a comprehensive sports streaming service with general entertainment channels and the option to stream in 4K.

3. NFL Sunday Ticket

Monthly Cost: Starts around $400 per season (available through YouTube and YouTube TV)

Best For: Dedicated NFL fans wanting access to out-of-market games.

Features:

  • Allows fans to watch every out-of-market Sunday NFL game, so you never miss your favorite team’s games.
  • Available as an add-on through YouTube TV or as a standalone option directly from YouTube, making it accessible for both cable and cord-cutting NFL fans.
  • Offers features like multi-game viewing on one screen, so you can watch multiple games at the same time.

Downside: Only covers NFL games on Sundays, so if you’re looking for other sports or need access to Monday or Thursday games, you’ll need additional subscriptions.

Ideal For: NFL fans who want to follow out-of-market games, especially those not in their home team’s broadcast region.

4. NBA League Pass

Monthly Cost: Starts around $15 per month (prices vary for full season and team-only packages)

Best For: Basketball fans looking to follow out-of-market NBA games.

Features:

  • Offers access to nearly every out-of-market NBA game, with blackout restrictions on local broadcasts.
  • Includes options to watch entire games or catch condensed versions, which are ideal for fans with limited time.
  • New features like alternate camera angles, real-time stats, and multi-game viewing enhance the experience for fans.

Downside: Local blackout rules apply, so fans may still need additional access to local games on regional networks or major broadcasters.

Ideal For: NBA fans who want to follow teams outside their local market or keep up with the entire league.

5. Peacock Premium

Monthly Cost: Around $6 for the Premium plan with ads, $12 for ad-free

Best For: Fans of Premier League soccer, WWE, and various sports documentaries.

Features:

  • Exclusive streaming rights to Premier League soccer in the U.S., with live games and replays available.
  • Offers WWE content, including pay-per-view events, original shows, and classic matches.
  • A library of sports documentaries and highlights, plus limited NFL games and major events like the Olympics when in season.

Downside: Limited to specific sports, primarily Premier League and WWE, with limited access to other live sports events.

Ideal For: Soccer fans, especially those interested in the Premier League, and WWE enthusiasts.

6. Paramount+

Monthly Cost: Around $6 for Essential (with ads), $12 for Premium (ad-free)

Best For: Fans of college sports, UEFA soccer, and CBS-hosted sports events.

Features:

  • Covers UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and other international soccer competitions.
  • Live access to CBS sports programming, including the NFL (games broadcasted on CBS), NCAA March Madness, and select PGA Tour events.
  • Premium subscribers can watch local CBS channels live, which is ideal for NFL fans wanting CBS-hosted games.

Downside: Primarily focused on sports that CBS has rights to, so it may not offer a full range of sports coverage.

Ideal For: Soccer fans and college sports enthusiasts, especially those who want to catch Champions League games and NCAA tournaments.

7. DAZN

Monthly Cost: Around $20

Best For: Fans of combat sports, including boxing and MMA.

Features:

  • DAZN specializes in boxing, offering live fight nights, pay-per-view events, and exclusive matches from fighters like Canelo Alvarez and GGG.
  • Provides on-demand content, including fight replays and behind-the-scenes footage.
  • Offers a selection of niche sports, depending on the region, such as international soccer and extreme sports.

Downside: Primarily focused on combat sports, so it may not offer enough variety for fans looking for other sports.

Ideal For: Boxing and MMA fans who want access to exclusive fights and additional content from the world of combat sports.

Tips for Choosing the Right Sports Streaming Service

Here are some factors to consider when selecting a sports streaming service:

  1. Identify Your Must-Watch Sports: Different services excel in different sports. Make a list of the sports you’re most interested in and choose a service that covers those games.

  2. Consider Blackout Restrictions: Some services, like NBA League Pass and NFL Sunday Ticket, have blackout rules for local games. If you want local coverage, look for a service that offers regional sports networks (RSNs).

  3. Look for Bundles: Bundling streaming services can save you money. For example, the Disney Bundle includes ESPN+ along with Disney+ and Hulu, providing a mix of sports, family content, and general TV shows.

  4. Check for DVR Options: If you can’t always watch live, select a service with DVR functionality so you can record games and watch later.

  5. Free Trials and Discounts: Many streaming services offer free trials, so you can try before committing. Keep an eye out for seasonal discounts, too, especially for league-specific services at the start of a season.

  6. Streaming Quality and Device Compatibility: For an optimal viewing experience, choose a service that offers high-definition streaming and is compatible with your devices, whether it’s a smart TV, tablet, or mobile phone.

Conclusion

With the wide variety of sports streaming services available today, it’s possible to catch all your favorite games without a traditional cable package. By choosing the right service based on your favorite sports, budget, and viewing needs, you can create a personalized sports streaming setup that delivers all the excitement of live games. Enjoy the game!