Sports Fans
General Sports Questions
Yes. ESPN’s streaming app is called ESPN. You can subscribe to the ESPN Unlimited tier in order to watch SportsCenter live. This includes access to all of ESPN’s linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes, plus access to programming on ABC, ESPN Select, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. It’s effectively “cable ESPN, but via streaming.”
You can stream SportsCenter when subscribing to streaming providers like DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV Orange and YouTube TV.
To help fans cut through the clutter and watch all their favorite sports in one place, ESPN launched a new direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21st, 2025, which is also called ESPN. This service is divided into two tiers:
- ESPN Unlimited – This includes access to all of ESPN’s linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes, plus access to programming on ABC, ESPN Select, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. It’s effectively “cable ESPN, but via streaming.” Fans get coverage of more than 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, original programming, and more. It’s available as a standalone plan for $29.99/month or $299.99 for the year, with no cable subscription required.ESPN Unlimited can be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu starting at $35.99/month (with ads on Disney+/Hulu) or $44.99/month (no ads on Disney+/Hulu). ESPN Unlimited can also be bundled with the new FOX One streaming service for $39.99/month. Both ESPN Unlimited and Fox One launched on August 21st, and starting October 2nd, you’ll be able to bundle them together for access that includes everything in the new ESPN suite of programming, plus all of Fox’s News, Sports, and Entertainment-branded content.
- ESPN Select – This is essentially the new name for ESPN+. The service still provides exclusive access to many events, and will simulcast certain sports that air on other channels and offer PPV access to UFC fights — until Paramount takes over as the streaming home of UFC in 2026 — but doesn’t feature the robust programming of ESPN Unlimited.ESPN Select costs $12.99/month or $129.99/annually. A Disney+ Hulu ESPN Select bundle costs $19.99/month (with ads on Disney+/Hulu) or $24.99/month (no ads on Disney+/Hulu).
How do you enroll in the new ESPN streaming service? If you’re a subscriber to ESPN+ (either with a standalone subscription or as part of a Disney+/Hulu bundle), you’ve automatically been enrolled in the new ESPN Select plan at no additional cost. If you want to subscribe to the ESPN Unlimited plan, you can do so by signing in on either ESPN.com or the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices.
Yes, HBO Max’s live sports component began in 2023. They offer a wide variety of live sports including MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness, and U.S. Soccer games and matches. They also include other sports programming such as “Inside the NBA” and Bleacher Report highlights and events.
Peacock offers Sunday Night Football, a few exclusive NFL games, Premier League soccer matches, Big Ten football games, extensive Olympics coverage, WWE events, PGA Tournaments, SuperMotocross and IndyCar races, and much more.
The Chicago Sports Network (www.chsn.com) streaming service will carry live games from the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago White Sox, along with highlights, pre- and post-game coverage, and shoulder programming.
The streamer will cost $20 per month for customers who pick just one of the three teams to watch, or $30 for fans who want to stream all three. Both plans come with a 7-day free trial to allow viewers to thoroughly test out the streamer before committing.
NFL
Yes, but the cleanest direct-to-consumer option is NFL+. A standard NFL+ subscription includes the live NFL Network feed in the U.S., plus live local and primetime regular-season and postseason games on a phone or tablet. NFL+ costs $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year. NFL+ Premium costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year and adds NFL RedZone, full-game replays, condensed replays, and All-22 films.
Important limitation: live local and primetime games on NFL+ are phone-and-tablet only because of broadcast restrictions. NFL Network, replays, and NFL RedZone with NFL+ Premium are available across supported devices.
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Yes. Sunday Night Football streams on Peacock and airs on NBC. For most fans, Peacock Premium is the simplest standalone option for Sunday Night Football streaming without a cable package. Peacock Premium starts at $10.99 per month and includes live sports. Peacock Select is cheaper at $7.99 per month, but it excludes sports, movies, and Peacock Originals, so it is not the right tier for NFL games. You can also get NBC through live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV, subject to local availability.
Thursday Night Football is primarily a Prime Video package. In 2026, Prime Video is scheduled to stream the main Thursday Night Football slate, along with select holiday NFL windows such as Black Friday and late-season Thursday games. Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year in the U.S. Standalone Prime Video offers may appear during sign-up, so check the Prime Video offer page before paying. NFL+ also carries live nationally televised primetime games, including Thursday Night Football, but only on phones and tablets. Local-market broadcast availability can vary by game.
NFL streaming is split by game window. To watch NFL online, match the game to the right broadcaster or streaming service:
- Local Sunday afternoon games: CBS and FOX through an antenna, a live TV streaming service, or Paramount+ for local CBS games.
- Sunday Night Football: NBC or Peacock.
- Monday Night Football: ESPN and/or ABC through live TV services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DIRECTV, or Sling TV, depending on the package.
- Thursday Night Football: Prime Video with phone/tablet access through NFL+.
- Out-of-market Sunday afternoon games: NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV or a standalone YouTube purchase option.
- Christmas and select exclusive games: Netflix plus other special windows depending on the season schedule.
Yes. Paramount+ streams NFL on CBS games, but the local CBS live station is tied to the Premium plan and local market availability. Paramount+ starts at $8.99 per month. Paramount+ Premium costs $13.99 per month and is the plan to check first if your goal is to stream local CBS NFL games. Paramount+ is useful for CBS games, but it does not replace a full NFL streaming setup because it does not include FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, NFL RedZone, or NFL Sunday Ticket.
NFL RedZone is the Sunday afternoon whip-around channel for fantasy players and fans who want every scoring chance without switching games manually. During the regular season, NFL RedZone jumps from game to game, shows every touchdown, and often uses the octobox to follow multiple games at once. It is not a full-game channel and does not replace CBS, FOX, or NFL Sunday Ticket.
You can watch NFL RedZone through NFL+ Premium or through participating live TV providers and add-ons. Common streaming options include YouTube TV Sports Plus, Hulu + Live TV Sports Add-on, Fubo Sports Plus, DIRECTV Sports Pack, and Sling TV Sports Extra. NFL+ Premium is the most direct standalone streaming option for NFL RedZone. Live TV services are better if you also need local channels, ESPN, ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, and NFL Network in the same app.
Yes. Fubo offers NFL RedZone through Sports Plus with NFL RedZone and may include it in select higher-tier plans depending on your market and current package. Fubo pricing varies by plan, location, fees, and add-ons. Recent base-plan examples start around $88.99 per month, and regional sports fees may apply. Check the Fubo plans page for current pricing before subscribing.
Yes. DIRECTV customers can get NFL RedZone through the DIRECTV Sports Pack, which is listed at $14.99 per month, or through eligible sports-focused packages when available. DIRECTV starts around $89.99 per month before discounts and fees. It is a strong fit if you want a traditional cable-style lineup with local channels, ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and sports add-ons.
Yes. YouTube TV offers NFL RedZone through the Sports Plus add-on, currently listed at $10.99 per month.
You do not need NFL Sunday Ticket to add NFL RedZone to a YouTube TV base or Sports Plan subscription. NFL Sunday Ticket is for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games; NFL RedZone is a separate whip-around channel.
Yes. Sling TV Blue customers can add NFL RedZone with the Sports Extra add-on. Sling TV Blue is also the Sling TV plan that includes NFL Network in many markets. Sling TV is often one of the cheaper ways to get NFL Network and NFL RedZone, but it has bigger gaps than full live TV bundles. Local channels are limited, CBS is not included, and ESPN requires Sling Orange or Sling Orange + Blue.
The most common reasons are plan availability, billing platform restrictions, or regional account settings. Fubo says add-ons and plan changes can depend on how you subscribed. If you subscribed through Roku in-app billing, Fubo subscription changes must be handled through Roku rather than through the Fubo website. Sign in to your account, check available add-ons, and switch to direct billing if you want the most straightforward plan-management experience.
NFL Sunday Ticket is the premium out-of-market package for Sunday afternoon games that are not shown by your local CBS or FOX station. It is built for fans who live outside their favorite team’s market or want broader Sunday afternoon access. It does not replace national games on NBC, ESPN, ABC, Prime Video, Netflix, NFL Network, or Peacock. NFL Sunday Ticket pricing varies by season, account type, renewal status, bundle, and promotion. Use the official NFL Sunday Ticket page for the current offer instead of relying on last season’s price.
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Yes. NFL RedZone is available without NFL Sunday Ticket. The simplest standalone option is NFL+ Premium, and live TV options include YouTube TV Sports Plus, Hulu + Live TV Sports Add-on, Fubo Sports Plus, DIRECTV Sports Pack, and Sling TV Sports Extra. Buy NFL Sunday Ticket only if you need out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. Buy NFL RedZone if you want live scoring drives and whip-around coverage.
Usually, NFL Sunday Ticket season purchases are nonrefundable once the terms take effect. YouTube’s offer language can also require an active linked YouTube TV plan if you bought a bundle that depends on that plan. Review the current NFL Sunday Ticket purchase terms before checkout, especially for payment plans, auto-renewal, student plans, RedZone bundles, and any promotional pricing. Seasonal sports packages are not as flexible as month-to-month streaming services.
It depends on the current season offer and how you purchased. If you bought NFL Sunday Ticket as a standalone YouTube Primetime Channels product, you may not be able to simply add a different bundle after purchase. The safest approach is to choose the NFL Sunday Ticket bundle you want before checkout. If you already purchased, check your YouTube account settings and the official NFL Sunday Ticket terms for whether RedZone can be added, changed, or renewed in a different package.
Yes, when YouTube TV offers that bundle for the season. YouTube TV customers can typically choose NFL Sunday Ticket options during the season sales window, and NFL RedZone may be available through a Sunday Ticket bundle or through Sports Plus. Because NFL Sunday Ticket pricing and bundles change seasonally, use the official NFL Sunday Ticket offer page before quoting a price or choosing a plan.
Log in to YouTube TV, open your membership settings, and look for Sports Plus or the current NFL Sunday Ticket with RedZone option. Sports Plus is currently listed at $10.99 per month and includes NFL RedZone. You can add NFL RedZone to YouTube TV without buying NFL Sunday Ticket. If you already bought NFL Sunday Ticket, check whether your purchase terms allow bundle changes or whether you need to add RedZone separately.
No. NFL Sunday Ticket can be purchased with YouTube TV or as a standalone YouTube Primetime Channels product. The YouTube TV route is better if you also want local CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network in one live TV app. The standalone route is better if you only need out-of-market Sunday afternoon games and already have another way to watch local and national NFL games.
Current NFL Sunday Ticket stream rules depend on your account, home network, and package. YouTube has offered unlimited in-home NFL Sunday Ticket streams after you set your home network, with additional restrictions for out-of-home viewing. Do not rely on older two-stream language without checking your current account terms. If multiple people in your household will stream NFL games at once, confirm the latest NFL Sunday Ticket stream policy before the season starts.
NFL+ is the NFL’s own streaming subscription. It is best for mobile viewing, live audio, NFL Network, preseason games, and on-demand NFL content. The standard NFL+ plan costs $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year. It includes live local and primetime regular-season and postseason games on phones and tablets, live NFL Network, out-of-market preseason games, and live game audio. NFL+ Premium costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year and adds NFL RedZone, full-game replays, condensed replays, and All-22 film. It still does not replace a full live TV service for watching every NFL game on a TV.
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In 2026, Netflix is scheduled to stream two Christmas Day NFL games. Netflix also announced additional 2026 NFL windows, including a Week 1 international game from Australia, a Thanksgiving Eve game, a Week 18 game, and NFL Honors during Super Bowl week. Netflix starts at $8.99 per month, with plans ranging up to $26.99 per month before tax. Netflix is not a full NFL streaming service; it is for select exclusive games and entertainment programming.
No. There is not one streaming service that carries every NFL game in 2026. The closest setup is a live TV service such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, or DIRECTV for local and national games, plus Prime Video for Thursday Night Football, Peacock for NBC streaming and exclusives, Netflix for Christmas and other exclusive games, and NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. For NFL RedZone, add NFL+ Premium or the RedZone add-on from your live TV provider.
Yes. An over-the-air antenna can be the cheapest way to watch local NFL games on CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC if you are within range of those broadcast stations. An antenna can cover many local Sunday afternoon games, Sunday Night Football on NBC, some Monday Night Football games on ABC and postseason games on broadcast networks. It will not get you ESPN-only games, Prime Video games, Netflix games, Peacock exclusives, NFL Network exclusives, NFL RedZone, or NFL Sunday Ticket.
For most fans, YouTube TV is the best streaming service for NFL because it combines local channels, ESPN, NFL Network, unlimited DVR, multiview and direct access to NFL Sunday Ticket, and NFL RedZone add-ons. Hulu + Live TV is strong if you want a broad entertainment bundle with NFL Network and RedZone add-on access. Fubo is strong for sports-heavy households. Sling TV can be cheaper but has local-channel gaps. DIRECTV is best for a cable-like interface and broad channel lineup. The best pick depends on your ZIP code, favorite team, budget, and whether you need out-of-market Sunday games.
Yes, but stream limits vary. YouTube TV includes three simultaneous streams on the base plan, with an optional 4K Plus add-on for unlimited in-home streams. Paramount+ allows up to three simultaneous streams. DIRECTV advertises unlimited in-home streams. Hulu + Live TV includes two simultaneous streams unless you add more. Prime Video, Peacock, Netflix, Sling TV, Fubo, NFL+, and NFL Sunday Ticket all have their own device and household rules. For a big household, check simultaneous stream limits before kickoff.
Usually, yes within the U.S., but local games follow your location and provider rules. With YouTube TV, local network access changes based on the ZIP code where you are watching, and you must sign in from your home area periodically. NFL+ is U.S.-only and does not cover U.S. territories. Netflix and Prime Video can work broadly, but live sports rights can vary by country. For international travel, do not assume your U.S. NFL streaming subscriptions will work the same way.
No. You do not need cable, but you do need more than one service to watch every NFL game legally. A complete cord-cutter setup usually includes a live TV service for CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, and ESPN; Prime Video for Thursday Night Football; Peacock for Sunday Night Football streaming and NBC exclusives; Netflix for Christmas and select exclusive games; and NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. NFL+ Premium or a RedZone add-on completes the setup if you also want NFL RedZone.
The cheapest legal setup is an antenna for local broadcast games plus targeted subscriptions only when you need them.
- Local games: antenna for CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC where available.
- Mobile local and primetime games: NFL+ at $6.99 per month.
- Sunday Night Football streaming: Peacock Premium at $10.99 per month.
- Thursday Night Football: Prime Video through Amazon Prime at $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
- CBS streaming: Paramount+ Premium at $13.99 per month.
The tradeoff is coverage. The cheapest setup will not include every NFL game, NFL Sunday Ticket, or every Monday Night Football window.
Yes. Monday Night Football streaming is available through live TV services that carry ESPN and ABC, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DIRECTV, and Sling TV packages with ESPN. Some 2026 Monday Night Football games are scheduled for ESPN only, while others are simulcast on ABC. NFL+ can carry live primetime games on phones and tablets, but it is not a full TV-screen replacement for ESPN or ABC.
Yes. NFL playoff games are available through the networks and streaming partners assigned to each postseason window. Depending on the game, that can include CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, Peacock, Prime Video, Paramount+, Netflix, or NFL+ mobile/tablet access. For the easiest cable-free postseason setup, use a live TV streaming service with major broadcast networks and ESPN, then add any required standalone services for exclusive games.
NHL
ESPN Select or DIRECTV are your best bets. DIRECTV has ABC, TNT, and ESPN on all channel lineups.
National Games
TNT Broadcasts: Watch on TNT with YouTube TV, DIRECTV, or Hulu + Live TV
ESPN Broadcasts: Watch on ESPN with YouTube TV, DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, or the ESPN app
ABC Broadcasts: Watch on ABC with YouTube TV, DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, or ESPN App
Regional Games
Fans in Local Market: Watch on Regional Sports Network (RSN) with RSN’s app or DIRECTV
Out-of-Market Fans: Watch on NHL Center Ice with Stream on the ESPN app
NHL Network will broadcast certain regional games throughout the season outside of the Local Markets. These games will not be available in ESPN app or on NHL Center Ice.
The streaming services that offer the NHL Network include DIRECTV (Ultimate and Premier tiers), Fubo (Elite tier), Sling (add-on), and also the ESPN app.
NBA
DIRECTV CHOICE package is the best option, but not the only option, to watch all NBA games. Below is a list of the platforms and what they offer.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV’s CHOICE, ULTIMATE, and PREMIER plans all come with ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. You’ll also get your local ABC channel and regional sports networks based on your billing location, which gives you complete local and primetime NBA coverage.
NBA League Pass
You’ll need an active Prime membership to sign up for either a monthly, seasonal, or annual pass starting at $16.99 for the monthly pass. There are no live local or primetime games. The greatest benefit of the NBA League Pass is its live access to all games outside your local area. However, the service won’t get you live access to your local team or nationally broadcasted games like the NBA Playoffs or NBA Finals. You can watch these games on demand three hours after they air.
Sling TV
Sling TV is one of the most affordable streaming services on the market and one of the cheapest ways to watch primetime NBA games. Sling Orange offers TNT and ESPN. You can include the Sports add-on for $11.00/month with Sling Blue for NBA TV or get the NBA League Pass for $16.99 for out-of-market coverage.
YouTube TV
This option is best if you want to watch NBA and WNBA. You can purchase a monthly NBA League Pass for $16.99. It offers limited regional sports networks but does include every national NBA and WNBA channel.
ESPN App
The ESPN Unlimited Plan on the ESPN app plays live ESPN NBA games. This includes access to all of ESPN’s linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes, plus access to programming on ABC, ESPN Select, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. It’s effectively “cable ESPN, but via streaming.”
YouTube TV and DIRECTV are great options for watching all NBA final games. You will need the CHOICE channel lineup if you choose to go with DIRECTV.
Yes. The NBA’s League Pass allows you to stream hundreds of live games. They have a “with commercials” option and an ad-free option.
MLB
2026 FIFA World Cup
- English (US): FOX and FS1 broadcast the games, accessible through live TV streaming apps like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV, or DIRECTV.
- Spanish (US): Telemundo and Universo carry the matches, often available on services like Peacock or live TV streaming packages like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV, or DIRECTV.
- FIFA+: FIFA+ offers free streaming of some matches, highlights, and exclusive content for the 2026 tournament.