Top Streaming Platforms for Live Sports in 2025

Watching sports used to be straightforward. You'd simply turn on the TV and catch the big game without any fuss. However, today's world of sports streaming has become a complex puzzle, with regional blackouts, additional paywalls, and the challenge of determining which service has exclusive rights to your favorite games. Navigating this maze can be overwhelming for fans.

With a plethora of streaming services now broadcasting live sports, deciding where to watch and what subscriptions are worth your money can be daunting. Fortunately, we've sifted through the options to bring you a curated list of the best sports streaming services for live games, matches, and fights, designed to suit every type of sports enthusiast.

Hulu + Live TV

Best Streaming Bundle For Sports

Hulu + Live TV

Includes Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads). $82.99 at Hulu

Hulu + Live TV offers an extensive selection of popular sports across over 95 channels, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, international soccer, UFC, and more. Beyond games on local channels, you can enjoy regular sporting events on ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, and FS1, to name a few. As part of its monthly subscription, Hulu + Live TV includes the Disney Bundle, which grants access to ESPN+. This unlocks additional exclusive sports events like UFC and college sports, as well as original programming. Hulu + Live TV also comes with a three-day free trial, making it an excellent choice for watching March Madness games in 2025.

Fubo

Best Variety

Fubo (Pro)

Save $30 off first month after free trial period. $84.99 save 35% $54.99 at Fubo

Though not as widely known, Fubo stands out for its diverse range of sports events, streaming over 55,000 events annually. This includes NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more. International soccer enthusiasts can enjoy leagues like the Premier League, LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Liga MX, and Serie A. Fubo also offers various sports add-on packages, providing extra channels such as NFL Redzone, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, international sports channels, and NCAA conference-specific channels for those seeking even more sports content.

Peacock

Best For Premier League Soccer and WWE

NBC Peacock (Premium)

Annual plan available for $79.99/year. $7.99 at Peacock

Owned by NBC Universal, Peacock provides a wealth of sports content for streaming. It's a top choice for fans of Premier League soccer, offering season-long live coverage and exclusive matches from teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal. For WWE aficionados, Peacock is the exclusive live streaming platform for all WWE premium events, including Wrestlemania. Additionally, you can catch every NFL Sunday Night Football game and Big Ten college basketball on Peacock.

ESPN+

Best For UFC and College Sports

ESPN+

Annual plan available for $119.99/year. $11.99 at ESPN

ESPN+ is the go-to platform for streaming UFC events, including Pay-Per-View (PPV) fights, Fight Nights, and more. While UFC PPV events require an additional $79.99 fee on top of your ESPN+ subscription, Fight Nights and other events are included at no extra cost. You'll also have access to hundreds of classic UFC fights. ESPN+ offers a vast selection of college sports, with over 6,000 men's and women's events in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and more, across 26 conferences. However, remember that ESPN+ does not include access to ESPN network channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, and others. To watch SportsCenter or ESPN-exclusive televised sports, you'll need a traditional cable or Live TV streaming subscription.

DirecTV Stream

Best Cable Alternative

DirecTV Stream (Choice)

Includes $10 off for 24 months offer. $79.99 at DirecTV

DirecTV Stream is a cable-free alternative that anyone can subscribe to, offering a comprehensive lineup including local networks and popular sports channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN U, NBC Golf, FS1, NBA TV, MLB Network, and the Tennis Channel. The DirecTV Choice package is especially appealing to sports fans, providing access to over 125 channels, including major nationwide games and a variety of regional sports events based on your location. New subscribers can enjoy a five-day free trial to test the service.

Paramount Plus

Best For PGA Golf

Paramount+ (Essential)

Annual plan available for $59.99/year. $7.99 at Paramount

Paramount+ delivers all the sports content you expect from CBS Sports, including NFL on CBS games and every UEFA Champions League soccer match. It also features a library of sports movies and TV shows, along with daily programming from CBS Sports HQ and sports documentaries. Golf enthusiasts can upgrade to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan, which includes access to major PGA Tour events like the Farmers Insurance Open and the Wyndham Championship, in addition to the Essential tier's offerings.

Sports Streaming FAQs

Can You Watch Live Sports For Free?

Yes, you can watch select live sports for free, although the types and frequency of sports vary. You can use a TV antenna to access local channels and watch popular sports like NFL, MLB, and NBA games. Services like Sling Freestream also offer ad-supported access to certain live sports.

Which Sports Streaming Services Have Free Trials?

Most of the sports streaming services listed here offer free trials, ranging from three days to a week. Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Paramount+ all provide trial periods. If timed well, you might watch multiple live sporting events during these trials. Currently, Peacock and ESPN+ do not offer standalone free trials, though ESPN+ is included in the Hulu + Live TV free trial. For broader streaming options, check out our list of the Best Streaming Services With Free Trials in 2025.