Top Streaming Platforms for Live Sports in 2025

Gone are the days when watching sports was as simple as flipping through TV channels to catch the big game. Today, navigating the world of sports streaming has become a complex endeavor. With regional blackouts, additional paywalls, and the need to decipher which service holds the rights to the games you're eager to watch, fans are often left navigating a confusing maze.

The proliferation of streaming services broadcasting live sports adds to the challenge of deciding where to watch and which subscriptions are worth your money. Fear not, as we've done the legwork to help you make an informed choice. Below is a curated list of the best sports streaming services for live games, matches, and fights, designed to cater to every type of sports enthusiast.

Hulu + Live TV

Best Streaming Bundle For Sports

Hulu + Live TV

2Includes Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads). $82.99 at Hulu

Hulu + Live TV offers a robust package of over 95 channels, featuring a wide array of sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, international soccer, UFC, and more. You'll enjoy games broadcast on local channels, as well as regular sporting events on channels like ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, and FS1.

Included in the monthly subscription is the Disney Bundle, which grants access to ESPN+. This addition provides exclusive sporting events like UFC and college sports, along with original programming. Hulu + Live TV also comes with a three-day free trial, allowing you to test the waters before committing. It's an excellent option for watching the March Madness games in 2025.

Fubo

Best Variety

Fubo (Pro)

1Save $30 off first month after free trial period. $84.99 save 35% $54.99 at Fubo

While Fubo may not be as well-known, it stands out for its extensive variety of sporting events, streaming over 55,000 events annually. This includes NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA events, and much more. International soccer fans will appreciate coverage of the Premier League, LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Liga MX, and Serie A.

For those craving even more sports content, Fubo offers various sports add-on packages, including channels like NFL Redzone, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, international sports channels, and NCAA conference-specific channels.

Peacock

Best For Premier League Soccer and WWE

NBC Peacock (Premium)

1Annual plan available for $79.99/year. $7.99 at Peacock

Owned by NBC Universal, Peacock offers a wealth of sports content. Premier League soccer, one of the world's most popular sports, is extensively covered, with season-long live coverage and exclusive matches featuring teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

WWE fans will find Peacock indispensable as it's the exclusive streaming home for every WWE premium event, 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+

2Annual 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 on top of your ESPN+ subscription, Fight Nights and other events are included at no extra cost. You also gain access to hundreds of classic fights from the UFC archive.

College sports enthusiasts will find a vast selection on ESPN+, with over 6,000 men's and women's sporting events across 26 conferences, covering football, basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and more. Note that ESPN+ does not include access to ESPN network channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, and others. For those, you'll still need a traditional cable or Live TV streaming subscription.

DirecTV Stream

Best Cable Alternative

DirecTV Stream (Choice)

2Includes $10 off for 24 months offer. $79.99 at DirecTV

DirecTV Stream offers a cable-free experience with a comprehensive lineup that includes local networks and popular sports channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN U, NBC Golf, FS1, NBA TV, MLB Network, and the Tennis Channel. The DirecTV Choice package is particularly appealing for sports fans, providing access to over 125 channels, including major nationwide games and a robust selection of regional sporting events based on your location.

New subscribers can take advantage of a five-day free trial to test the service.

Paramount Plus

Best For PGA Golf

Paramount+ (Essential)

1Annual plan available for $59.99/year. $7.99 at Paramount

Paramount+ delivers all the sports content you'd expect from CBS Sports, including NFL on CBS games and every UEFA Champions League soccer match. Alongside a library of sports movies and TV shows, you'll find daily programming from CBS Sports HQ and various documentaries.

For golf enthusiasts, upgrading to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan is worthwhile, as it includes everything in the Essential tier plus access to major PGA Tour events like the Farmers Insurance Open and the Wyndham Championship.

Sports Streaming FAQs

Can You Watch Live Sports For Free?

Yes, you can watch select live sports for free, though the type and frequency of sports vary. Using a TV antenna, you can access local channels and watch popular sporting events like NFL, MLB, and NBA games. Streaming 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 above offer free trials. Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Paramount+ provide trials ranging from three days to a week. Timing your trial well could allow you to watch multiple live sporting events. Peacock and ESPN+ currently do not offer free trials, though ESPN+ is included in the Hulu + Live TV free trial.

If you're interested in more than just sports, explore our list of the Best Streaming Services With Free Trials in 2025.