One of the best parts of watching sports in this era is that you don’t need to be glued to the TV anymore. The internet has made it possible to watch matches instantly, wherever you are. Even though there are still plenty of customers for cable and satellite TV providers offering live sports, streaming platforms have become increasingly popular.
Best Sports Streaming Sites
Here’s a list of the top 10 sports streaming sites with key details:
ESPN Plus
Year Started: 2018
Current CEO: Jimmy Pitaro (Chairman, ESPN)
Total Subscribers: 25.3 million (as of 2024)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
ESPN+ starts at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Bundle options with Disney+ and Hulu are available at $12.99 per month.
Content Focus:
Known for coverage of sports like baseball, college sports, hockey, football, golf, tennis, esports, and more. It’s perfect for NHL fans with access to out-of-market games.
Unique Features or Extras:
ESPN+ offers sports documentaries, original shows, and exclusive content, such as deep-dive analysis and behind-the-scenes stories.
Payment Options:
Monthly and yearly plans are available. Bundling with Disney+ and Hulu offers more value. Payment options include credit cards, PayPal, and gift cards.
Pros:
- Extensive coverage of sports including niche leagues and events.
- Affordable bundle options with Disney+ and Hulu.
- Exclusive access to documentaries and original shows.
Cons:
- Limited coverage of popular sports like NFL or NBA.
- Pay-per-view events often require additional costs.
- No free trial for new users.
Tubi
Year Started: 2014
Current CEO: Farhad Massoudi
Total Subscribers: 64 million monthly active users (as of 2024)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
Tubi is free and ad-supported, making it accessible without any subscription fees.
Content Focus:
Offers live and on-demand sports events. Exclusive content includes USA Today Sports, NBA League TV, and Fox Sports. Tubi is great for sports history content, highlights, and recorded games.
Unique Features or Extras:
Tubi’s extensive library includes older sports content that may not be available elsewhere, catering to fans interested in classic games and highlights.
Payment Options:
No payment is required as Tubi is completely free, supported by ads.
Pros:
- Completely free, ad-supported platform with no subscription fees.
- Access to sports highlights, classic games, and historical content.
- Wide variety of sports programming including niche content.
Cons:
- Live sports coverage is limited compared to other platforms.
- Ads can be frequent and interruptive.
- Lacks coverage of major live events and premium sports content.
FuboTV
Year Started: 2015
Current CEO: David Gandler
Total Subscribers: 1.71 million (as of 2024)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
FuboTV’s pricing starts at $74.99 per month for the Pro package, with additional packages offering more channels and features.
Content Focus:
Offers a wide range of live sports channels including ESPN, NFL, FSL, BTN, and more. FuboTV is ideal for those who want a full-service live TV experience focused on sports.
Unique Features or Extras:
FuboTV offers a free 7-day trial, 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage, and multiple simultaneous streams, making it great for families and groups.
Payment Options:
Monthly and annual plans are available, with payment options including credit cards, PayPal, and gift cards.
Pros:
- Wide selection of live sports channels and leagues.
- 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage included.
- Offers a 7-day free trial and simultaneous streaming on multiple devices.
Cons:
- Higher monthly cost compared to some alternatives.
- Not ideal for non-sports content, making it less versatile.
- Some sports content may require additional add-ons.
MLB.TV
Year Started: 2002
Current CEO: Rob Manfred (Commissioner of Major League Baseball)
Total Subscribers: Approximately 3.5 million (as of 2023)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
Single Team: $129.99/year
All Teams: $149.99/year
Monthly: $24.99/month
Content Focus:
Major League Baseball games, including live out-of-market games, full game replays, and condensed games.
Unique Features or Extras:
MLB.TV Includes the ability to watch up to four games simultaneously with Multi-View, and access to exclusive “All-Access” content, including interviews, behind-the-scenes features, and classic games. Also, features personalized game highlights based on your favorite teams.
Payment Options: Credit/Debit cards, PayPal, Amazon Pay.
Pros:
- Dedicated coverage for Major League Baseball with live games and replays.
- Multi-View feature for watching up to four games at once.
- Personalized highlights and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Cons:
- Blackout restrictions can limit access to local games.
- High subscription cost if subscribing to all teams.
- Focuses solely on baseball, limiting value for fans of other sports.
YouTube TV
Year Started: 2017
Current CEO: Neal Mohan (YouTube CEO)
Total Subscribers: 6.6 million (as of 2024)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
YouTube TV starts at $72.99 per month with no hidden fees. There’s also a 7-day free trial.
Content Focus:
Covers major sports leagues like the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. YouTube TV provides a comprehensive mix of regional and national sports networks.
Unique Features or Extras:
Unlimited cloud DVR storage is included, allowing users to record and store games for up to nine months. Users can also stream on multiple devices simultaneously.
Payment Options:
Monthly payments are accepted via credit cards, PayPal, and Google Play balance.
Pros:
- Comprehensive coverage of major sports leagues and networks.
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage with recordings saved for up to nine months.
- Easy access on multiple devices with simultaneous streaming.
Cons:
- Relatively high monthly cost.
- Some regional sports networks may be missing.
- Not specifically optimized for sports fans as it also includes non-sports content.
Paramount Plus
Year Started: 2014 (rebranded as Paramount Plus in 2021)
Current CEO: George Cheeks
Total Subscribers: 61 million (as of 2024)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
Plans start at $5.99 per month (with ads) and $11.99 per month for the premium ad-free option.
Content Focus:
Paramount Plus offers live sports like NFL games, PGA Tour golf, and UEFA Champions League matches. The platform also includes entertainment content, making it a well-rounded service.
Unique Features or Extras:
Premium plans include live CBS streaming and a wider range of local news and events. It’s ideal for sports and entertainment fans who want both in one place.
Payment Options:
Monthly and yearly subscription options are available, payable via credit cards, PayPal, and gift cards.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing with options for both ad-supported and ad-free plans.
- Includes live coverage of NFL games, UEFA matches, and more.
- Combines sports with a broad range of entertainment content.
Cons:
- Limited range of sports compared to other dedicated platforms.
- Premium content often requires upgrading to higher-tier plans.
- Interface and navigation are more focused on entertainment than sports.
Peacock
Year Started: 2020
Current CEO: Jeff Shell (Comcast NBCUniversal)
Total Subscribers: 24 million (as of 2024)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
Peacock’s pricing starts at $5.99 per month with ads and $11.99 per month for the ad-free plan.
Content Focus:
Peacock covers WWE events, Premier League matches, golf, rugby, and more. The platform is ideal for those seeking sports coverage along with entertainment options.
Unique Features or Extras:
Peacock offers free and premium tiers, making it accessible for different budget levels. It’s available on various devices, ensuring users can stream on the go.
Payment Options:
Payment options include monthly and yearly plans via credit cards, PayPal, and gift cards.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing with both free and premium tiers.
- Strong sports lineup including Premier League, WWE, and golf.
- Flexibility to access both sports and entertainment content.
Cons:
- Sports coverage is more limited than dedicated sports platforms.
- Ad-supported tiers can be interruptive.
- Some premium sports content requires a subscription to higher-tier plans.
Amazon Prime Video
Year Started: 2006
Current CEO: Andy Jassy (Amazon)
Total Subscribers: 200 million (as of 2024)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, which includes Prime Video access.
Content Focus:
Known for its movie library, Amazon Prime Video also offers sports content, including exclusive Thursday Night Football, select Premier League matches, and tennis events like the US Open.
Unique Features or Extras:
Prime Video provides access to both live and on-demand sports content. Certain regions get exclusive cricket matches, WNBA, and MLB games.
Payment Options:
Payments are made through Amazon, supporting credit cards, PayPal, and Amazon gift cards.
Pros:
- Access to exclusive sports events like Thursday Night Football and Premier League.
- Comes included with Amazon Prime membership, offering additional benefits.
- Broad selection of sports, entertainment, and movies.
Cons:
- Not all sports events are available live or in all regions.
- Limited sports programming compared to specialized platforms.
- Some events may require additional purchases.
Hulu + Live TV
Year Started: 2017 (as Hulu + Live TV, Hulu itself started in 2007)
Current CEO: Randy Freer (Hulu), Bob Chapek (Disney CEO overseeing Hulu)
Total Subscribers: Over 4.4 million (as of 2023)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
- Base Plan: $76.99/month (includes Disney+ and ESPN+)
- With No Ads: $89.99/month (for Hulu content)
- Premium Add-Ons: Varies by add-on (e.g., HBO Max, Showtime)
Content Focus:
Live TV streaming including sports, news, and entertainment channels, along with Hulu’s extensive on-demand library of original content, movies, and TV shows.
Unique Features or Extras:
Combines live TV streaming with Hulu’s on-demand content, Disney+ and ESPN+ in one package. Offers unlimited DVR with 9 months of storage, multiple user profiles, and the ability to watch on two screens simultaneously. Also supports a wide variety of premium add-ons.
Payment Options: Credit/Debit cards, PayPal, Hulu gift cards, Amazon Pay.
Pros:
- Combines live TV streaming with Hulu’s on-demand library and Disney+.
- Includes unlimited DVR storage and multiple user profiles.
- Comprehensive package for sports and entertainment.
Cons:
- Higher subscription cost, especially for ad-free viewing.
- Some regional sports networks may be unavailable.
- Add-ons for premium channels can quickly increase the overall cost.
Sling TV
Year Started: 2015
Current CEO: Erik Carlson (DISH Network)
Total Subscribers: 2.2 million (as of 2024)
Top Country: United States
Pricing Information:
Plans start at $40 per month with customizable add-ons for additional channels.
Content Focus:
Sling TV offers a customizable package with access to sports like NFL, NBA, and college sports. It’s perfect for those who want flexibility in choosing only the channels they need.
Unique Features or Extras:
Sling TV offers flexible packages, allowing users to build their streaming service. The service is ideal for cord-cutters looking for affordable sports streaming without cable.
Payment Options:
Payments can be made monthly, with options for credit cards, PayPal, and gift cards.
Pros:
- Flexible and customizable packages, allowing users to choose channels.
- Affordable pricing compared to full-service cable replacements.
- Good selection of sports channels with options to add more.
Cons:
- Base packages have limited sports coverage without add-ons.
- DVR storage requires an additional fee.
- User experience can be fragmented due to the customization options.
Conclusion:
In this digital era, there are countless options for watching live sports. These top 10 streaming platforms offer diverse plans and content tailored to different regions. Depending on your location and preferences, choose the best platform to enjoy your favorite sports.
