Top Streaming Platforms for Live Sports in 2025

Watching sports used to be straightforward. You’d simply turn on the TV and catch the game. However, today's sports streaming landscape is much more complex. From regional blackouts and paywalls to deciphering which service has exclusive rights to the games you want, it's a challenging maze for fans to navigate.

With numerous streaming services offering live sports, deciding where to watch and which subscriptions are worth your money can be overwhelming. Fortunately, we've done the research for you. Below, you'll find a curated list of the best sports streaming services for live games, matches, and fights, tailored for every type of sports enthusiast.

Hulu + Live TV

Best Streaming Bundle For Sports

Hulu + Live TV offers a comprehensive sports package across more than 95 channels, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, international soccer, UFC, and more. You can catch games on local channels and regular events on ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, and FS1, among others.

Included in the Hulu + Live TV subscription is the Disney Bundle, giving you access to Disney+ and ESPN+. ESPN+ adds exclusive sports events like UFC and college sports, along with original programming. Hulu + Live TV also offers a three-day free trial, making it a great option to watch March Madness games in 2025.

Fubo

Best Variety

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

For an even richer sports experience, Fubo offers additional sports packages with channels like NFL Redzone, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, and various international and NCAA-specific channels.

Peacock

Best For Premier League Soccer and WWE

Owned by NBC Universal, Peacock provides ample sports content, with a strong focus on Premier League soccer. You can enjoy live coverage and exclusive matches featuring top teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

WWE fans will find Peacock invaluable as it's the exclusive streaming home for all WWE premium events, including Wrestlemania. Additionally, Peacock streams every NFL Sunday Night Football game and Big Ten college basketball.

ESPN+

Best For UFC and College Sports

ESPN+ is the go-to platform for streaming UFC events, including Pay-Per-View fights, Fight Nights, and access to the UFC archive. While UFC PPV events cost an additional $79.99, Fight Nights and other events are included in your subscription.

College sports fans will enjoy over 6,000 men's and women's events across 26 conferences, covering football, basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and more. Note that ESPN+ does not include access to the main ESPN network channels; for those, you'll need a traditional cable or live TV streaming service.

DirecTV Stream

Best Cable Alternative

DirecTV Stream, a satellite-free option from DirecTV, offers a cable-like experience with local networks and 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 access to over 125 channels, including major national games and a solid selection of regional sports based on your location. New subscribers can enjoy a five-day free trial.

Paramount Plus

Best For PGA Golf

Paramount+ delivers a wide array of sports content from CBS Sports, including NFL on CBS games and every UEFA Champions League soccer match. It also features daily programming from CBS Sports HQ, sports documentaries, and more.

Golf enthusiasts can upgrade to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan to access major PGA Tour events like the Farmers Insurance Open and the Wyndham Championship, in addition to the Essential tier offerings.

Sports Streaming FAQs

Can You Watch Live Sports For Free?

Yes, you can watch select live sports for free. Options include using a TV antenna to access local channels, which broadcast popular 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 sports streaming services mentioned here offer free trials, ranging from three days to a week. Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Paramount+ all have trials available. Peacock and ESPN+ currently do not offer free trials, but 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.