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Best Streaming Service for Sports 2023
Find the best sports streaming service for you no matter what type of fan you might be
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We scouted all live TV streaming services to find the top five picks for you so you can watch your favorite teams whenever and wherever you might be in the country.
You need to let your team (or your TV) know that they need to "pass the ball" or that your "grandma could have kicked that field goal." We understand.
Whether you like professional football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, or college sports, one of these services has you covered. Let's kickoff, jump ball, and serve into this!
- : Most sports coverage
- : Best for NFL and NBA fans
- : Best for bundling sports and entertainment
- : Best budget pick for sports-watching
- : Best for fans of Max and sports

What to look for in a streaming service for sports
When it comes to sports streaming services, the "best" one will be different for each fan. But to find the best one for you, you'll want to consider how much you can spend, which sports channels are the most important, and if you want add-ons like NHL CENTER ICE.
- Lots of sports channels
- A fair price for the number of channels you receive
- Has sports add-ons and subscriptions
- A sufficient DVR storage space
- Includes channels for the family
Our top five streaming services for sports range from four to over 50 sports channels, and most include the basics like: ESPN, FOX Sports, and CBS Sports Network.
All of these services have decent pricing for the channels they offer. In some cases, you might need to upgrade to the second or third-tier plan to get the most sports channels possible.
Most of the services here also have some type of sports add-on and subscriptions, like NBA LEAGUE PASS or the NFL RedZone Channel.
You'll need a sufficient DVR storage for recording games while you're working, at your kid's soccer game, or running errands.
These services are for sports fans and your movie-loving family or roommates who love entertainment and lifestyle channels.
To stream your channels smoothly without lag, you're going to want a good internet provider. Our top internet provider picks for streaming include Xfinity, Verizon Fios, AT&T Fiber, Centurylink, and Windstream.
fuboTV has the best and most sports coverage
If you want the most sports channels you can possibly get, fuboTV gives you a sports experience you won't get anywhere else.
What we like about fuboTV
- fuboTV gives you all the sports coverage you need with 50 sports channels.
- You can get even more sports channels with the Sports Plus add-on.
fuboTV is the best streaming service for sports by a longrun
fuboTV is perfect for the Real Madrid CF, Kansas City Chiefs, and Rafael Nadal fans because fuboTV's Elite and Premier plans gives you close to 50 sports channels.
This service gives you NFL, NBA, MLB, college football, tennis, soccer, golf, and hockey all in one. Doesn't that sound dreamy?
We admit that fuboTV has recently added some sports channels that are new and (to me) never heard of. If we took out all of the fluff, fuboTV offers about 23 popular sports channels. The others are a bonus but I highly recommend getting the sports add-on below for more popular sports channels.
fuboTV's sports channels include the following:
- ACC Network (ACCN)
- AT&T SportsNet
- Altitude Sports (regional network)
- BeIN Sports
- BeIN Sports (4–8)
- BeIN Sports En Español
- Big Ten Network
- CBS Sports Network
- ESPN, ESPN2
- ESPNU
- ESPNews
- FOX Sports (FS1), FS2
- fubo Sports Network
- Golf Channel
- Marquee Sports Network
- MLB Network
- NBA TV
- NFL Network
- NHL Network
- Origin Sports
- PAC-12 Network
- Pac-12 Mountain (or your regional network)
- SEC Network
- Swerve Sports
- Tennis Channel
- TUDN (Univision Deportes Network)
- TUDN Extra (1–11)
- The Women Sports Network
- Zona Fútbol
fuboTV has a Sports Plus add-on for more sports entertainment
fuboTV's Sports Plus add-on gives you 24 more sports channels for $11 per month.
You'll get channels such as the NFL RedZone Channel, MLB Network Strike Zone, Fight Network, all regional PAC-12 channels, Stadium, IMPACT!, and Game+.
If you want to see all of the exciting plays live during the Sunday football games, the $11 per month will be worth it just for the NFL RedZone Channel during the NFL season.
What we don't like about fuboTV
- fuboTV doesn't have Turner Network channel.
No TNT, TBS, or CNN
fubo TV no longer has Turner Network channels, so this will affect your ability to watch the NBA. You won't be able to watch the NBA games airing on TNT, but if you get the Elite or Premier plans, you'll have NBA TV.
Or you can order NBA LEAGUE PASS with fuboTV and get all out-of-market games straight to your TV because you need to watch every Boston Celtics game.
But we just hope you or your spouse don't absolutely love TBS or CNN. If this is the case, this service won't be for you.
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YouTube TV is best for NFL and NBA fans
YouTube TV is well-rounded with an excellent dollar-to-channel ratio, 14 sports channels, channels for everyone in the family, and the best DVR in the industry.
And this year, YouTube TV will be the home of NFL SUNDAY TICKET.
What we like about YouTube TV
- YouTube TV has most of the top live sports channels in its lineup.
- YouTube TV has a solid Cloud DVR.
- YouTube TV is the only live streaming service to offer NFL SUNDAY TICKET.
YouTube TV has great national sports coverage for the price
YouTube TV is the second-best option for sports fanatics because it's the only live TV streaming service with the NFL Network, NBA TV, SEC Network, and ESPNU for only $73 per month.
Not only can you watch most NFL and NBA games with YouTube TV, but it's one of the best live TV options for most people (including those with families).
If you want to watch Undisputed, the San Antonio Spurs take on the OKC Thunder, or the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos matchup all in one day, then YouTube TV is for you.
YouTube TV has the following national sports network channels:
- ACCN
- Big Ten Network (BTN)
- CBS Sports Network
- ESPN, ESPN 2
- ESPNews
- ESPNU
- FS1, FS2
- Golf Channel
- NBA TV
- NFL Network
- SEC Network
- TUDN
When you click the information button on your game, you'll get the details of the current score and the lineup. If you're watching a recording, you'll be able to see the final score and stats. How awesome is that?
YouTube TV has add-ons for fans of basketball, football, and soccer
YouTube TV offers NBA LEAGUE PASS for $40 per month. You'll want this subscription if you want to watch every single out-of-market NBA game of the season.
This live TV streaming service also has a Sports Plus add-on ($11/mo.) with 14 channels like the NFL RedZone Channel, GolTV, Fox Soccer Plus, PokerGO+, and Outside TV+.
If you get the Sports Plus add-on, your monthly bill will be $76. This is worth it for those who like the idea of an unlimited DVR storage space and don't mind 27 sports channels instead of 35–50 with fuboTV.
YouTube TV has one of the best DVR's in the industry
YouTube TV has one the best DVR's in the streaming world with unlimited storage space that will save for nine months in your Library.
And we have to give credit to Hulu + Live TV who upped their game and also added an unlimited DVR storage to its service.
You'll have the ability to record all of the Sunday football games, NBA and NCAAF games of the week, and Pardon the Interruption every day to binge over the following weekend.
You'll also be able to watch a great game you recorded in Week 1 of the NFL season or a 30 for 30 movie that aired on ESPN over the summer.
It is also the best sports streaming app because you and two of your Pittsburgh Steelers-loving family members can live stream the game simultaneously. And you can have a total of six accounts to tailor your individual sports streaming needs.
What we don't like about YouTube TV
- YouTube TV doesn't have niche or international sports coverage.
YouTube TV doesn't have as great of sports coverage as fuboTV does
While YouTube TV is an excellent option for national sports, it's missing a few popular sports channels that fuboTV has.
You won't find MLB Network, the Tennis Channel, NHL Network, or PAC-12 Network with YouTube TV, for example. fuboTV will be your best option if you're a diehard fan of the New York Yankees or if you like to watch all professional tennis tournaments.
Hulu + Live TV is best for bundling sports and entertainment
Hulu + Live TV is for sports fans who want to stream live channels and watch on-demand content like Originals, Disney, and sports analysis.
What we like about Hulu + Live TV
- Hulu Live has 13 sports channels.
- Hulu Live comes with ESPN+ and Disney+.
Watch 13 sports channels with Hulu Live and then marathon-watch The Captain
Hulu Live is our third option for a few reasons: you won't be bored with the channel variety, Hulu Live has the most on-demand content on this list, but you won't find all the major sports networks on its lineup.
Hulu Live still gives you pretty decent sports coverage with favorites like ESPN and FOX Sports. And it's also one of the only services in the industry to have ESPN College Extra in its lineup.
Check which channels are available in your area, but Hulu includes the following sports channels:
- ACCN
- Big Ten Network
- CBS Sports Network
- ESPN, ESPN2
- ESPN College Extra
- ESPNews
- ESPNU
- FS1, FS2
- Golf Channel
- NFL Network
- SEC Network
Hulu has the latest 10 seasons available of WWE Monday Night Raw featuring Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Becky Lynch!
Get the ultimate entertainment bundle
Not only does Hulu Live come bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for a complete entertainment experience, but Hulu Live lets you enjoy First Take on ESPN and the PGA Tour on the Golf Channel.
This streaming service gives you the top sports channels for an avid sports watcher and the whole family.
And after you're done watching the Ohio State Buckeyes game on the Big Ten Network channel, you can throw on The Sandlot with Disney+.
What we don't like about Hulu + Live TV
- Hulu Live doesn't have MLB Network or NBA TV.
- You'll have to pay a fee for more simultaneous streams.
Hulu Live neglects professional baseball and basketball coverage
If you're a hardcore fan of the MLB or NBA, Hulu + Live TV may not be the answer to your sports-streaming prayers. But it does have TNT, ABC, and TBS, and of course, all the other channels mentioned above.
If you need the league-specific channels, it'll be worth spending the extra $15 per month for fuboTV to have all major sports channels and about 50 other sports channels.
Or you could also pay $5 less for YouTube TV to have NBA TV in your lineup.
You'll have to pay extra if you and your two roommates want to stream
Hulu + Live TV lets you stream on only two devices at once.
So, if you and two others want to stream a TV show at the same time, no can do. Unless you pay a $10 monthly fee to get unlimited simultaneous streams.
No other live TV streaming service offers the ability to have unlimited streams, but most other services allow at least three simultaneous streams.
And we're happy to say that Hulu Live upgraded their DVR storage space to unlimited (just like YouTube TV)!
This live TV service used to only give you 50 hours of DVR storage to possibly record eight NFL games, eight TV episodes, and seven movies. But now, you can record all of the NFL games, all of The Office and Friends episodes, and as many 3-hour long movies you want.
Sling TV is the best budget pick
Sling TV makes it possible for you to live stream a few sports channels for a low price.
What we like about Sling TV
- Sling TV tends to sports fans who want to save money.
- This live TV streaming service offers NBA LEAGUE PASS and NFL RedZone Channel
Plans for the low-to-medium level sports fans
Sling TV has three inexpensive plans and an optional Sports Extra add-on for those who are saving money for a new home.
If you want to catch a few NFL and NBA games, Sling Blue might be sufficient for you. This package includes the following channels:
- FS1
- NFL Network
- TNT
If you absolutely cannot miss SportsCenter, you'll want to upgrade to Sling Orange + Blue which has these sports channels:
- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3
- FS1
- NFL Network
- TNT
If you're thinking "well, that's not enough," we thought the same thing. Luckily, Sling TV has a Sports Extra add-on.
Sling TV offers a Sports Extra add-on and NBA LEAGUE PASS
For some, 3-6 sports channels isn't close to enough. So why not add 12 more sports channels to your lineup?
For an extra $11 per month, you can get the following channels added to your service with Sling's Sports Extra add-on:
- beIN SPORTS
- Big Ten Network
- FS2
- Golf Channel
- MLB Network
- MLB Strike Zone
- NBA TV
- NFL RedZone Channel
- NHL Network
- PAC-12 Network
- Olympic Channel
- Tennis Channel
Sling TV also keeps NBA fans in mind. It offers NBA LEAGUE PASS for $29 per month ($11 less than YouTube TV). There's also Team Pass for $18 per month if you are loyal to just one team.
What we don't like about Sling TV
- The upgraded DVR is an add-on option for an extra cost.
- Sling TV has fewer channels than the rest.
The upgraded Cloud DVR is an additional cost
Sling TV gives you 50 hours of DVR storage and requires you to pay a fee for extra storage space. But at least Sling TV's fee is only $5 for 200 hours.
So if you choose the $55 per month package, select the upgraded DVR, and get the Sports Extra add-on, you'll have to budget for $71 per month.
Sling TV has the lowest number of total channels
With just 31 to 41 channels total, this streaming service offers the lowest number of channels of the bunch. But it's the only streaming service that gives you a cheap option for a few channels if you don't need 85+.
Besides Sling TV, most live TV streaming services offer at least 85+ channels for no less than $72 per month.
This is why Sling TV is the best for money-savers, cord-cutters, and people who just want a few of their favorite channels.
DIRECTV streaming is best for fans of sports and premium channels
What we like about DIRECTV streaming
- DIRECTV's streaming service includes premium channels in most of its plans.
- You can get up to 19 sports channels.
It's for the sports watchers who need their Max
DIRECTV streaming has plans for the crowd who are not only sports-watchers, but who also love a good variety of entertainment and lifestyle shows.
Check out the complete channel lineup to see which plan is best for you, but the biggest plus is that you get a free three-month subscription to Max.
If you want to think long-term, you'll get STARZ channels in your lineup with the ULTIMATE package. And with the PREMIER package, you can watch the Max, CINEMAX, SHOWTIME, and STARZ channels after a long day of work for as long as you keep this TV plan.
Streaming with DIRECTV nets you some good sports channels
With DIRECTV streaming, you can get up to 19 sports channels, which includes NBA TV and MLB Network (but not NFL Network).
But streaming through DIRECTV is our last choice for most sports fans because this live TV streaming service requires you to at least get the ULTIMATE package for $110 per month to get access to all 19 of those sports channels (that's a lot of dough compared to fuboTV or YouTube TV).
For some, the CHOICE package will be sufficient enough. So make sure those final six sports channels are worth the $26 upgrade for you from CHOICE to ULTIMATE.
The sports channels in the ENTERTAINMENT package includes the following:
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- FS1
- MotorTrend
Along with the above three, these are the sports channels CHOICE includes:
- ACCN
- Big Ten Network
- ESPNews
- ESPNU
- Golf Channel
- MLB Network
- NBA TV
- SEC Network
- Tennis Channel
- TVG
And the ULTIMATE and PREMIER packages include the above sports channels and the following six:
- CBS Sports Network
- FS2
- NHL Network
- Sportsman Channel
- TUDN
What we don't like about DIRECTV streaming
- Some plans get pretty pricey.
The dollar-to-channel ratio is just OK
We'll be honest in saying that DIRECTV's streaming service has one of the highest dollar-to-channel ratios in the TV industry.
We don't recommend getting the PREMIER package, because for $50 less, you can get 90 more channels with fuboTV (you'd save $600 per year!).
The CHOICE package is $10 more expensive than fuboTV's Pro package at $85/month, and CHOICE still has about 35 fewer channels.
DIRECTV needs to step up their streaming game if they want to be competitive.
But we recommend you check out the full channel lineup to see if it's suitable for you and your streaming needs.
Recap: Which is the best streaming service for sports?
- fuboTV: Perfect for all sports fans, fuboTV gives you 50+ national and international sports channels for $85 or $95 per month with the Elite and Premier plans. It used to be known as a sports streaming service, but fuboTV has created a new name for itself by including loads of family-favorite channels like Disney Channel and HGTV. Its Pro plan also includes a great variety of channels (and 20+ sports channels) for $75/month.
- YouTube TV: You can get NFL Network, NBA TV, and college sports channels with YouTube TV for $73 per month (which is the best price you're going to find for a service that includes those channels). YouTube TV sweetens the pot with a total of 27 sports channels for $76 (with the Sports Plus add-on), including a wide channel variety for everyone in the house, and an unlimited DVR storage space.
- Hulu + Live TV: Hulu Live gives you a fantastic entertainment bundle with ESPN+ and Disney+. You can get 13 popular sports channels with Hulu Live, and with ESPN+, you'll get even more sports coverage.
- Sling TV: If you're a money saver but want to be up to date on sports, Sling TV is for you. For $40–$55 per month, you'll get a few sports channels while saving money for that car you've had your eye on.
- DIRECTV Streaming: DIRECTV's streaming packages will give you access to 19 sports channels (for $105/month) as well as a free three-month subscription to Max. Although, it's the priciest option on our list, so make sure the included premium channels are worth your money.
Methodology
We compare and rank sports streaming services based on five key factors:
- Number of sports channels
- Price
- Sports add-ons
- Channel variety for the family
- DVR storage space
For a streaming service to be named "the best for sports," it's got to have a sufficient number of sports channels for a fair price.
Most live TV streaming services don't have all of the sports channels in their lineup, so they give you the option to add more sports channels (yes, please). So we have to evaluate how many channels are offered in the add-on and at what price.
There can come the point when you want to watch something other than sports, so you need a variety of channels to keep you entertained. Who doesn't like to watch some movie, local, and lifestyle channels?
And lastly, you need a decent DVR for recording all of those games, right? No one wants to come home to a half-recorded game because their storage was full.
FAQs
There's no way to stream live sports for free legally, but you can certainly take advantage of the free trials that live TV streaming services offer.
You'll find the most sports channels with these services: fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Sling TV.
Sling TV will be your cheapest option when it comes to watching live sports. But for $40 per month, you'll only get 3 sports channels in your lineup.
Those channels include FS1, NFL Network, and TNT (for NBA).
Hulu Live and YouTube TV have the same sports channels, but with a few exceptions:
Hulu Live has ESPN College Extra. YouTube TV has NBA TV and will be home to NFL SUNDAY TICKET starting the 2023 season.
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