Top Streaming Platforms for Live Sports in 2025

Gone are the days when watching sports was as simple as flipping on the TV to catch the big game. Today, navigating the world of sports streaming can feel like a complex puzzle, with regional blackouts, additional paywalls, and the challenge of figuring out which service holds the rights to the games you want to watch. It's a maze that often leaves fans scrambling to find the best way to enjoy their favorite sports. But fear not, we've done the hard work for you. Below, we present a curated list of the top sports streaming services for live games, matches, and fights, designed to meet the needs of every sports enthusiast.

Hulu + Live TV

Best Streaming Bundle For Sports

Disney Bundle Included### Hulu + Live TV

2Includes Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads).$82.99 at HuluHulu + Live TV offers a robust selection of sports across more than 95 channels, featuring major leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, as well as international soccer, UFC, and more. You'll have access to games on local channels and regular sporting events on ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, and FS1, among others.

What sets Hulu + Live TV apart is its inclusion of the Disney Bundle, which grants you access to ESPN+ at no additional cost. This means you can enjoy even more exclusive sporting events, including UFC and college sports, along with original programming.

Plus, Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial, allowing you to test the service before committing. It's also an excellent choice for watching March Madness in 2025.

Fubo

Best Variety

$30 Off First Month### Fubo (Pro)

1Save $30 off first month after free trial period.$84.99 save 35%$54.99 at FuboWhile Fubo might not be as well-known, it stands out as our top pick for variety in sports streaming. With over 55,000 sporting events annually, it covers a wide range of sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more. International soccer fans will appreciate access to the Premier League, LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Liga MX, and Serie A.

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

Peacock

Best For Premier League Soccer and WWE

Annual Plan Available### NBC Peacock (Premium)

1Annual plan available for $79.99/year.$7.99 at PeacockOwned by NBC Universal, Peacock is your go-to destination for streaming sports. It's particularly renowned for its coverage of the Premier League, one of the world's most popular sports leagues. With season-long live coverage and exclusive matches, you won't miss a moment from teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

WWE fans will find Peacock indispensable, as it's the exclusive streaming home for all WWE premium events, including Wrestlemania. Additionally, you can catch every NFL Sunday Night Football game and Big Ten college basketball on this platform.

ESPN+

Best For UFC and College Sports

Annual Plan Available### ESPN+

2Annual plan available for $119.99/year.$11.99 at ESPNESPN+ is your exclusive gateway to streaming UFC events, including Pay-Per-View (PPV) fights, Fight Nights, and more. While UFC PPV events come at an additional cost of $79.99, Fight Nights and other events are included in your subscription. Plus, you'll have access to a vast archive of classic UFC fights.

College sports enthusiasts will also find a treasure trove of content 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.

It's important to note, however, that ESPN+ does not include access to traditional ESPN network channels like ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS. To watch these, you'll need a separate cable or live TV streaming subscription.

DirecTV Stream

Best Cable Alternative

Limited-Time Offer### DirecTV Stream (Choice)

2Includes $10 off for 24 months offer.$79.99 at DirecTVDirecTV Stream provides a cable-free alternative that's accessible to everyone. It includes local networks and a robust lineup of sports channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, NBC Golf, FS1, NBA TV, MLB Network, and the Tennis Channel.

For sports fans, the DirecTV Choice package offers the best value, giving you access to over 125 channels, including major national games and a solid selection of regional sports based on your location.

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

Paramount Plus

Best For PGA Golf

Annual Plan Available### Paramount+ (Essential)

1Annual plan available for $59.99/year.$7.99 at ParamountParamount+ delivers all the sports content you'd expect from CBS Sports, including NFL on CBS games and every UEFA Champions League soccer match. Along with a library of sports movies and TV shows, you'll enjoy daily programming from CBS Sports HQ and a variety of documentaries.

Golf aficionados can upgrade to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan to gain 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 options are limited. You can use a TV antenna to 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 catch multiple live sporting events. However, Peacock and ESPN+ do not currently offer free trials, though ESPN+ is included in the Hulu + Live TV free trial.

For those interested in more than just sports, check out our list of the Best Streaming Services With Free Trials in 2025.