Top Picks for Live Sports Streaming in 2025

Watching sports used to be a straightforward task. You'd simply switch on your TV, and chances are, you'd catch the big game. However, today's landscape of sports streaming has evolved into a complex maze of regional blackouts, additional paywalls, and exclusive rights battles. Navigating this can be daunting for fans trying to find their favorite games.

With numerous streaming platforms vying for your attention, deciding which service to subscribe to for live sports can be overwhelming. But don't worry, we've done the legwork for you. Below, we've compiled a list of the best sports streaming services for live games, matches, and fights, catering to 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 a robust selection of sports across its more than 95 channels, covering NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, international soccer, UFC, and more. In addition to local channel broadcasts, you'll find regular sporting events on ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, and FS1, among others.

The service also includes the Disney Bundle as part of its monthly subscription, granting access to ESPN+ which provides additional exclusive sports events like UFC and college sports, as well as original programming.

Hulu + Live TV offers 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

Fubo may not be a household name, but it excels in providing a vast variety 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 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 add-on packages featuring channels like NFL Redzone, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, international sports channels, and specific NCAA conference channels.

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 extensive sports coverage, with a particular focus on Premier League soccer and WWE. You'll enjoy season-long live coverage and exclusive matches featuring teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

For WWE fans, Peacock is the go-to platform for streaming every premium live event, including Wrestlemania. Additionally, you can catch every NFL Sunday Night Football game and Big Ten college basketball.

ESPN+

Best For UFC and College Sports

ESPN+

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

ESPN+ is the exclusive streaming platform for 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 without extra cost. You can also delve into hundreds of classic fights from the UFC archives.

The service offers a vast array of college sports, with over 6,000 men's and women's events across 26 conferences, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, and wrestling.

It's worth noting that ESPN+ does not include access to ESPN's main network channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS. To watch SportsCenter or ESPN-exclusive televised events, you'll still 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 offers a cable-free experience, including local networks and popular sports channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, NBC Golf, FS1, NBA TV, MLB Network, and the Tennis Channel. The DirecTV Choice package is particularly appealing to sports fans, providing over 125 channels, including major national games and a solid selection of regional sports 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)

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

Paramount+ provides all the sports content you'd expect from CBS Sports, including NFL games on CBS and every UEFA Champions League soccer match. Along with a rich library of sports movies and TV shows, you'll have access to daily programming from CBS Sports HQ and various documentaries.

Golf enthusiasts can upgrade to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan to enjoy 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. The variety and frequency depend on the sport. Using a TV antenna, you can access local channels and watch popular events 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 above offer free trials, ranging from three days to a week. Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Paramount+ all provide trial periods. You might even catch multiple live sporting events during the trial. 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, check out our list of the Best Streaming Services With Free Trials in 2025.