Home News Top Streaming Platforms for Live Sports in 2025

Top Streaming Platforms for Live Sports in 2025

by Nova May 01,2025

Watching sports used to be a straightforward affair. You'd simply turn on your TV and catch the game. However, today's world of sports streaming has become a complex maze, with regional blackouts, additional paywalls, and exclusive rights agreements making it challenging for fans to find their favorite games. Navigating through the multitude of streaming services to find the right one can be daunting, but we've done the work for you. Below is a curated list of the best sports streaming services for live games, matches, and fights, tailored to suit every type of 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 stands out with its extensive sports coverage, offering over 95 channels that include popular sports like NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, international soccer, UFC, and more. You can catch games on local channels as well as on ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, and FS1, among others. The service sweetens the deal by including the Disney Bundle, which grants access to ESPN+—a gateway to additional exclusive sporting events, original programming, and more. With a three-day free trial, you can test the waters before diving in, making it an excellent choice for watching March Madness games 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 FuboAlthough Fubo might not be a household name yet, it's our top pick for variety in sports streaming. With over 55,000 events annually, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more, Fubo caters to a broad spectrum of sports fans. International soccer enthusiasts can enjoy leagues like the Premier League, LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Liga MX, and Serie A. For those craving even more, Fubo offers sports add-on 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

Annual Plan Available### NBC Peacock (Premium)

1Annual plan available for $79.99/year.$7.99 at PeacockPeacock, owned by NBC Universal, is your go-to for streaming Premier League soccer—one of the most-watched sports globally. With season-long live coverage and exclusive matches, you can watch giants like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal. Additionally, Peacock is the exclusive streaming home for WWE premium events, including Wrestlemania. Fans can also enjoy NFL Sunday Night Football and Big Ten college basketball, making Peacock a comprehensive choice for sports enthusiasts.

ESPN+

Best For UFC and College Sports

Annual Plan Available### ESPN+

2Annual plan available for $119.99/year.$11.99 at ESPNESPN+ stands as the exclusive platform for streaming UFC events, including Pay-Per-View (PPV) fights, Fight Nights, and more. While UFC PPV events require an additional $79.99 fee, other events are included at no extra cost. You'll also gain access to a vast archive of classic UFC fights. ESPN+ is a haven for college sports fans, offering over 6,000 men's and women's events across 26 conferences, covering football, basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and more. However, remember that ESPN+ does not include access to ESPN's traditional network channels like ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS, so for those, you'll need a 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 offers a cable-free streaming experience with a comprehensive lineup, including local networks and popular sports channels like ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, 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 regional sporting 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

Annual Plan Available### Paramount+ (Essential)

1Annual plan available for $59.99/year.$7.99 at ParamountParamount+ brings you all the sports content you expect from CBS Sports, including NFL games on CBS and every UEFA Champions League soccer match. Alongside a library of sports movies and TV shows, you can enjoy daily programming from CBS Sports HQ and sports documentaries. For golf enthusiasts, upgrading to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan is worthwhile, 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, you can watch select live sports for free. The availability and variety of sports depend on several factors. With a TV antenna, you can access local channels and watch popular sporting 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 mentioned above offer free trials, ranging from three days to a week. Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Paramount+ all provide trial periods, allowing you to explore their offerings before committing. You can potentially watch multiple live sporting events during these trials. Notably, 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, consider checking out our list of the Best Streaming Services With Free Trials in 2025.