How to watch football, basketball, and other sports live without cable or a TV
Sports and reality shows are two genres of television that have to be watched live. You don’t want to be that person who missed your team’s game-winning goal or any intense moments throughout the match.
In the past, you had to have a cable provider to watch all of the big games, but we live in the age of streaming and you’re able to cut the cord and still catch all of the best content. You can stream movies and cartoons without cable, and live sports are no different.
Streaming services give you all the sports coverage you want on your terms. However, there are so many to choose from that it can be a little difficult deciding which one is the best fit for you. When making your selection, keep in mind which sports are the most important to you. If you’re a die-hard football fan and don’t really pay attention to any other athletics, NFL Game Pass might be the service you need. Or maybe you’re just an ESPN enthusiast and want access to ESPN+.
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Some streaming sites are cable replacements first and sports services second. Hulu Live offers access to a bunch of live channels, on-demand movies and shows, original content, and sports, including events like the Super Bowl and World Cup. These kinds of options are great if your whole family is going to be using it or you just want a comprehensive TV plan for yourself.
Keep in mind that not every service offers the same features. You might have to give up watching the Super Bowl in exchange for exclusive content or forego DVR storage for a lower price tag. The best part about going this route rather than cable (aside from being cheaper) is that there’s no contract and you can cancel your subscription whenever you want.
We’ve found 11 of the best platforms for watching live and recorded sports (including esports) and have broken down the awesome and not-so-great features of each to help you decide which one will give you your sports fix.
fuboTV
fuboTV puts sports first, but provides entertainment channels, too.
- Price: $54.99 per month
The best option out there for the biggest sports fan is fuboTV. It offers access to a wide array of local and national channels in real time so you don’t miss out. You get access to the big channels like Fox, CBS, NBC, and more, plus tons of sports channels. Not only do you get the standard NFL, NBA, and MLB, you can also watch NHL, NASCAR, golf, boxing, MMA, tennis, college sports, and more. And of course, you get all of the big sporting events like the Super Bowl and World Cup. It’s the total sports package.
The basic plan includes 116 channels, 30 hours of cloud DVR space, and the ability to watch on two screens at once. There are also more advanced packages for families, Latin TV, and add-ons like Showtime.
There is a free, seven-day trial available for each of the packages so you can test the water before committing to the full price.
BEST BUDGET PICK
ESPN+
You won’t get all the big games, but at a great price you get tons of ESPN content.
- Price: $5.99 per month
- Price: $49.99 per year
Since 1979, ESPN has dominated sports coverage, providing 24/7 coverage of all professional sports in the United States. As time has gone on, the network has evolved and expanded, covering sports from all over the world and an ever growing list of sports related shows and specials.
That sort of coverage and varied programming is what makes ESPN+ worth it, and a steal at such a low price tag of $5.99 per month or $49.99 per year. While it doesn’t get the same number of big games as some other networks or providers, ESPN+ definitely makes up for it in sheer variety. You could go from MLB to college lacrosse to tennis in a snap. Add to that programs like 30 for 30 and SportsCenter and ESPN+ originals, and you’ve got a pretty decent sports offering right there.
You also have the option to bundle ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu for $12.99 per month.
BEST FOR CUSTOMIZED ADD-ONS
Sling TV
Sling TV’s base packages don’t offer tons of sports channels, but a la carte sports extras won’t cost too much more.
- Price: $30 per month (Sling Orange)
- Price: $30 per month (Sling Blue)
- Price: $45 per month (Sling Orange and Blue)
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Sling TV is a pretty bare bones cable alternative. The basic subscription choices give you some of the big channels, but if you want cloud DVR and access to all of the sports you love, you’ll have to pay additional costs.
Sling has two standard subscriptions, Orange and Blue, that each feature different sports channels. For the best deal, we suggest going for the combination package that gives you all the channels from both plans. These include ESPN, NBC Sports, and a couple others.
To really utilize Sling as a sports streaming platform, you’ll definitely want to add on the sports extra for an additional $10 per month. Unfortunately, local channels are not automatically included with Sling TV, but that’s not a huge issue because all you have to do to gain access is install an HD antenna.
BEST FOR WATCHING MORE THAN JUST SPORTS
Hulu Live’s ability to catch up on missed games makes up for fewer local channel offerings.
- Price: $54.99 per month
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Another great option out there right now is Hulu Live. Hulu, as a service, built itself by offering on-demand network and cable TV shows the day after they aired but eventually began to develop their own series too, like the Emmy Award-winning show The Handmaid’s Tale. While that may not sound conducive to watching sports, that’s where Hulu Live comes in.
By signing up for Hulu Live or upgrading from the base $7.99 service, you get access to live TV through most major networks, plus some local channels as well. That means Fox, NBC, CBS, and their affiliated sports channels are right there at your fingertips on any device. The portability of Hulu cannot be overstated. Not only can you watch it on your smart TV or your laptop, but via the Hulu app as well on any compatible device.
Hulu organizes channels and networks by genre, so you can find Group B games in the World Cup or jump between MLB games. It also makes finding replays easier as well, so if you miss any vital moments in big sporting events like the World Cup or Super Bowl, you can easily go back and watch them. And while Hulu Live might not get as many local channels as some other offerings, you do get a pretty decent movie selection with it.
BEST FOR MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
CBS All Access
CBS All Access has the best coverage of men’s NCAA basketball and NFL AFC games, plus CBS shows and streaming originals.
- Price: $5.99 per month with limited commercials
- Price: $9.99 per month with no commercials
- Price: $59.99 per year with limited commercials
- Price: $99.99 per year with no commercials
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CBS’s entry in the streaming space, CBS All Access, gets into more specific desires when it comes to sports viewing.
Compared to most other networks, CBS offers the best coverage of men’s NCAA basketball. From the men’s regular season, division championships, and finally March Madness, CBS has established itself as the undisputed king of college basketball. And since you can get the first week free (and ostensibility can cancel before the subscription kick in) you can watch the height of the action without paying a penny.
It’s also worth mentioning CBS’s dedicated coverage of the NFL AFC, which prove to be some of the most competitive and dominant teams in the league.
Unfortunately there isn’t much of a selection beyond NCAA basketball and the NFL AFC. However, CBS has shown a desire to supply original content to the service as well, much like Netflix and Amazon. Stream shows like Survivor, Big Brother, and Star Trek: Discovery.
BEST FOR WATCHING A VARIETY OF SPORTS
Peacock TV
Peacock TV offers sports like cycling, golf, rugby, and more — plus the Olympics.
- Peacock price: Free (golf, tennis, sports talk, movies, and TV)
- Peacock Premium price: $4.99 per month (everything in Peacock plus Premier League, cycling, skating, rugby, and snow sports)
- Peacock Premium Plus price: $9.99 per month (everything in Premium without ads)
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NBC created its own streaming platform called Peacock TV and is slowly moving all of its content off other streaming sites and onto Peacock. But, Parks & Rec and 30 Rock aren’t the only things to enjoy on the platform — there’s also a robust sports selection.
The base package is free and includes golf, tennis, sports talk, and all the entertainment content Peacock offers. The Premium tier includes additional sports like Premier League, cycling, rugby, and more, and then Premier Plus is all of that but without commercials.
Peacock Sports is awesome for people who are into a variety of sports. You won’t find figure skating and rugby on many other sports streaming services. Plus, Peacock also includes the Olympic Games.
BEST FOR YOUTUBE LOVERS
YouTubeTV
YouTubeTV is limited in its local offerings, but you get unlimited storage space and won’t be tied to a contract.
- Price: $64.99 per month
YouTube built its domination of the internet as an easy-to-use video platform that started in the mid-2000s. As time went on, it became a new entertainment platform with some of the biggest personalities and content providers on the internet. As such, this has helped it grow to the point where it can now offer live programming.
This is where YouTubeTV comes into the equation. Growing out of the original platform and YouTube Red, YouTubeTV offers live coverage of most major networks, including sports affiliates. That means FSN and NBCSN are available so that you don’t miss the biggest games of the week, much like fuboTV and Hulu Live.
And unlike a cable provider that’s going to lock you into a contract, a site like YouTubeTV lets you cancel at any time. This means that if you’re really only into basketball, you can tune in during the regular season then cancel your account once the NBA finals conclude. And, much like Fubo and Hulu, you can try YouTube TV free for seven days if you’re undecided.
The downside is that YouTubeTV is a little more limited in its offerings when it comes to local channels, giving services like the aforementioned Hulu and Fubo an edge. That said, it does provide access to YouTube Red, which has slowly been building a large and varied catalogue of original content.
BEST ESPORTS PLATFORM
Twitch Prime is the ultimate platform for watching esports while reaping the benefits of Amazon Prime.
- Price: $4.99 per month
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This one is a little more subjective, depending on how you feel about esports, but stick with us. Twitch, at its core, is a streaming service dedicated to live streaming video games, leading to a new collection of personalities, like AnneMunition and Ninja, who are able to rival some of the most successful YouTube personalities when it comes to building a devoted following.
It’s because of this kind of exposure that several leagues, like the Overwatch League, have chosen to use Twitch as their core streaming platform. And given the booming popularity of esports, it only made sense that Prime Gaming would serve a major role. And the great thing here is that there are two options available. If you don’t want to pay for anything, you don’t have to. Just use Twitch to sit back, relax, and watch your favorite players.
Get more out of your Twitch account by signing up for Prime Gaming (formerly Twitch Prime) if you’re super into gaming. Plus, with an Amazon Prime account, you can access live sports like football and basketball.
BEST FOR FOOTBALL
NFL Game Pass
You won’t find live regular season, playoff, or Super Bowl games here, but die-hard NFL fans can watch games after they’ve aired, plus extra NFL content.
- Price: $74.99 per year
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NFL Game Pass is one of the best of the dedicated league services out there. We don’t have to tell you that NFL Sunday is one of the biggest modern traditions for sports fans, with friends and families gathering at the house, apartment, bar — wherever — to see how their teams will play that week. NFL Game Pass provides the most die-hard fans with an avenue to keep up with every game, every week. With one catch, though: Game Pass doesn’t stream live games, but they’re available on the platform as soon as the live broadcast ends.
The service also includes condensed and full replays of games you might have missed and the extensive NFL films archive, like HBO’s Hard Knocks series. And, like most of the services on this list, offers a seven-day free trial to see how you like it.
Because there are no live games, you cannot watch the Super Bowl live through Game Pass. This is also due to network rotation between CBS, Fox, and NBC to air the Super Bowl. Even so, NFL Game Pass is probably the best value for big NFL fans.
BEST FOR MMA FANS
UFC Fight Pass lets you stream live and past fights and other exclusive UFC content.
- Price: $9.99 per month
- Price: $95.99 per year
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For those combat sports fans, it doesn’t get much bigger than the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Growing out of fairly unregulated tournaments in the ’90s to see whose fighting style was best, the UFC has grown into the biggest MMA organization on the planet.
So it only makes sense that it would offer its own dedicated platform, UFC Fight Pass, for MMA fanatics to catch every fight, no matter where they are. That means you can watch an entire packed card, from the prelims to the main event, with no fuss through UFC Fight Pass. It also gets you access to every piece of content dropped by UFC, whether that be the latest in Dana White’s Contender Series or a vlog following fighters leading up to a big fight.
BEST FREE OPTION
NBC Sports app
This one requires quite the workaround, but is a last-resort way to watch if you’re broke and know somebody with cable.
- Price: Free (with cable subscription)
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We know what you’re thinking. Yes, the idea is to cut cable. And yes, the NBC Sports app requires a cable account in order to work. But like many other things today, thanks to technology, there’s always a work around.
While there are plenty of people cutting cable, there are still plenty of others who are happy with what they have. To that end, it is always worth seeing if anyone in your family still has cable. If they do, you can simply share the account to get access. That way, you won’t miss the NFL’s Sunday night game or NHL’s featured game of the week. Just log into the NBC Sports app and you’re good to go.
If you’ve been on the verge of cutting your cable cord because you aren’t getting enough access to sports, adding on the NBC Sports app might save you the hassle.
