Gone are the days when watching sports was as simple as turning on your TV and tuning into the big game. Today, navigating the complex world of sports streaming involves dealing with regional blackouts, additional paywalls, and deciphering which service has exclusive rights to the games you're eager to watch. It's a challenging maze that can leave even the most dedicated fans feeling frustrated.

With a plethora of streaming services now offering live sports, deciding where to watch and which subscriptions are worth your money can be daunting. 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 to suit every sports enthusiast's needs.

Hulu + Live TV

Best Streaming Bundle For Sports

Hulu + Live TV offers an extensive array of popular sports across more than 95 channels, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, international soccer, UFC, and more. This service not only provides games on local channels but also regular sporting events on ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, and FS1, to name a few.

As part of its monthly subscription, Hulu + Live TV includes the Disney Bundle, granting you access to ESPN+, which unlocks additional exclusive sporting events like UFC and college sports, along with original programming. Plus, with a three-day free trial, you can test out the service before committing, making it an excellent choice for watching March Madness games in 2025.

Fubo

Best Variety

While Fubo may not be as well-known as other services, it's our top pick for the sheer variety of sporting events it streams. With over 55,000 events annually, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more, it's a sports fan's paradise. International soccer fans will appreciate coverage of the Premier League, LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Liga MX, and Serie A.

Fubo also offers various sports add-on packages, including NFL Redzone, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, international sports channels, and NCAA conference-specific channels, allowing you to customize your sports viewing experience further.

Peacock

Best For Premier League Soccer and WWE

Owned by NBC Universal, Peacock is a treasure trove of sports content. It's the go-to service for Premier League soccer fans, offering season-long live coverage and exclusive matches featuring top teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal. For WWE enthusiasts, Peacock is the exclusive home for live streaming every WWE premium event, including Wrestlemania.

Additionally, Peacock streams every NFL Sunday Night Football game and Big Ten college basketball, making it a versatile choice for a range of sports fans.

ESPN+

Best For UFC and College Sports

ESPN+ is the ultimate destination for UFC fans, offering exclusive streaming of UFC events, including Pay-Per-View (PPV) fights, Fight Nights, and access to hundreds of classic fights from the UFC archive. While UFC PPV events require an additional $79.99, Fight Nights and other events are included with your subscription.

Beyond UFC, ESPN+ boasts a vast selection of college sports, with over 6,000 men's and women's events across 26 conferences, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and more. However, it's worth noting that ESPN+ does not provide access to ESPN network channels like ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS; for those, you'll need a traditional cable or Live TV streaming subscription.

DirecTV Stream

Best Cable Alternative

DirecTV Stream offers a satellite-free streaming option that includes everything you'd expect from a cable alternative, with local networks and popular sports channels like 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 regional sporting events tailored to 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

Paramount+ delivers comprehensive sports content from CBS Sports, including NFL on CBS games and every UEFA Champions League soccer match. The service also features a library of sports movies and TV shows, daily programming from CBS Sports HQ, and documentaries.

Golf fans will find the Paramount+ with Showtime plan particularly appealing, as it includes major PGA Tour events like the Farmers Insurance Open and the Wyndham Championship, in addition to everything offered in the Essential tier.

Sports Streaming FAQs

Can You Watch Live Sports For Free?

Yes, it's possible to watch select live sports for free, though the availability and variety can differ. 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 we've discussed offer free trials. Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Paramount+ provide trials ranging from three days to a week. Timing your trial well can allow you to watch multiple live sporting events of interest. Notably, Peacock and ESPN+ do not currently offer free trials on their own, though ESPN+ is included in Hulu + Live TV's 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 for additional options.