If you’re a huge sports fan, it’s time to forget about cable. These days, you can access the same content (and usually a whole lot more besides) from a dedicated streaming service. The best streaming services put local, national, and international sports content at your fingertips. If you’re ready to cut the cable and start streaming sports instead, here are the 10 best sports streaming services to check out.
10. Dazn
If you’re a fight fan looking for a great value option, Dazn makes an excellent choice. Although Top Rank Boxing and UFC aren’t covered, boxing and MMA are both well represented via partners that include Golden Boy Promotions, Matchroom Boxing, GGG Promotions, and World Boxing Super Series on the boxing front and Bellator, Combate Americas, and KSW for MMA. Unlike certain other streaming services, you don’t need to pay additional pay-per-view fees on top of your subscription costs for premium fights. Other sports featured include J1, soccer, darts, fishing, gymnastics, and cricket. Special features include the option to restart and rewind fights once they air.
9. DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream may be a little pricier than some of the other options on the market, but considering it offers up to 18 sports channels (including NBA TV and MLB Network) and includes premium channels such as HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz, and Epix in most of its plans, it’s still a sound option for viewers looking to bundle a sports package in with entertainment and lifestyle shows. The service offers four separate packages (Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier) to choose between, each of which comes with a different selection of sports channels included.
8. Paramount+
In addition to streaming national and international soccer, Paramount+ also offers users (albeit only those who sign up for its $9.99-per-month ad-free tier) the chance to stream their local CBS channel as part of their subscription, thereby gaining access to select PGA Tour events, live NFL games and the NCAA March Madness tournament. It also includes access to a large selection of on-demand streaming content along with original shows. The service is available on iOS and Android, media streaming devices, and game consoles.
7. ESPN+
ESPN+ offers exclusive access to live sports content, including national and international soccer league matches, MLB and NHL games, PPV UFC events, and NCAA sports events. Although it doesn’t replace ESPN’s regular channels or offer access to core ESPN shows such as Pardon the Interruption or SportsCenter, it does include access to a library of on-demand content from shows such as 30 for 30 and E:60. You can watch ESPN+ online, via media streaming devices and gaming devices, or through the ESPN app.
6. Sling TV
Named by reviews.org as one of the best options for sports fans looking for a streaming service at a reasonable price, Sling TV offers a choice between several packages starting from around $35 a month. To access all of its sports channels, opt for the combined Orange & Blue Package at $50 a month. It’s also worth considering the Sports Extra add-on at approx. $11 a month to enjoy access to MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, beIN Sports, ESPN U, and Golf Channel. The service can be accessed via smartphones, streaming devices, Xbox consoles, and online. The standard service includes 50 hours of DVR storage, but there’s an option to increase this to 200 hours for an additional fee.
5. Amazon Prime Video
Obviously, Amazon Prime Video offers a lot more than just sports. However, the option to stream live sporting events, along with coverage of WNBA matchups, Thursday Night Football, and select Yankees games, makes it a great option for sports fans who also want to benefit from the service’s extensive library of on-demand TV shows and movies. It also comes with the option to add sports channels such as Paramount+, NBA League Pass, and PGA Tour Live to your subscription. The service is available as a standalone service or as part of Amazon’s Prime subscription, and can be watched either online or via mobile platforms, streaming devices, game consoles, and Smart TV.
4. FuboTV
Named as one of the best sports streaming services by iskysoft.com, FuboTV delivers excellent coverage of national and international sports events, offering channels such as CBS, FOX, Golf Channel, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, TBS, and TNT for national events and beIN Sports, Fox Deportes, GOL TV, and TUDN for international events. The service also offers an impressive lineup of news and entertainment channels, including Discovery and Viacom, together with an extensive library of on-demand TV shows and movies. Standout features include 250 hours of DVR storage (with the option to expand this to 1000 hours for an additional fee), Lookback, which lets you view already aired sports programs for up to 72 hours, and Startover, which lets you rewind live events to the start. FuboTV can be watched online or via mobile platforms and streaming devices, including Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Roku.
3. Peacock
If you’re a soccer fan, Peacock makes a great choice, offering coverage of both Sunday Night Football and Premier League soccer. It also hosts IndyCar and WWE content, along with a live PGA Tour betting show. Along with its sports content, the service offers access to an excellent selection of NBC shows, including This is Us, The Office, Saturday Night Live, Parks and Recreation, and Law & Order: SVU. Peacock can be accessed online or via mobile platforms, gaming consoles, and media streaming devices.
2. YouTube TV
For viewers looking for a service that combines excellent sports coverage with a vast selection of news and entertainment channels, YouTube TV makes an excellent choice. Its selection of live sports channels includes FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, Olympic Channel, Tennis Channel, CBS Sports Network, all the broadcast networks, and multiple ESPN channels. For an extra fee, you can upgrade to the Fox Soccer Plus, NBA League Pass or Sports Plus add ons. The service comes with unlimited cloud DVR storage and can be streamed on three devices simultaneously from up to six user accounts.
1. Hulu
In at number one is Hulu. As pcmag.com notes, Hulu is an excellent option for sports fans, enabling access to all the major broadcast networks along with a great selection of sports-focused cable channels like BTN, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, and NBC Sports Network. For international sports coverage, you can stump up an extra $4.99 for the Español add-on. Also available is a huge selection of news and entertainment channels, along with an equally impressive library of on-demand shows and movies.
