Gone are the days when watching sports was as simple as turning on your TV to catch the big game. Today, navigating the complex landscape of sports streaming involves dealing with regional blackouts, paywalls, and figuring out which service has the exclusive rights to your favorite games. It's a maze that can leave even the most dedicated fans frustrated.

With an array of streaming services offering live sports, deciding which one to subscribe to 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, designed to cater to every sports enthusiast's needs.

Hulu + Live TV

Best Streaming Bundle For Sports

Hulu + Live TV offers a robust selection of sports content across more than 95 channels, covering everything from NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and NCAA to international soccer, UFC, and more. In addition to local channel broadcasts, you can enjoy regular sporting events on ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, and FS1, among others.

As part of its monthly subscription, Hulu + Live TV includes the Disney Bundle, which grants access to ESPN+. This additional service offers exclusive sports events like UFC and college sports, as well as original programming. Plus, Hulu + Live TV comes with a three-day free trial, making it an excellent option for catching March Madness games in 2025.

Fubo

Best Variety

Fubo, though not as widely known, stands out for its extensive variety of sports streaming options. With over 55,000 sporting events annually, it covers NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more. International soccer enthusiasts can enjoy coverage of the Premier League, LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Liga MX, and Serie A.

Fubo also offers sports add-on packages for those craving even more content, including 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

Owned by NBC Universal, Peacock provides a wealth of sports content, particularly for fans of Premier League soccer and WWE. With season-long live coverage and exclusive matches, you can watch top teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal in action. Peacock is also the exclusive streaming home for every WWE premium event, including Wrestlemania, and offers NFL Sunday Night Football 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 (PPV) fights, Fight Nights, and more. While UFC PPV events require an additional $79.99 fee, Fight Nights and other events are included in the subscription. ESPN+ also offers access to hundreds of classic UFC fights.

Additionally, ESPN+ provides extensive coverage 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 important to note that ESPN+ does not include 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 cable-free alternative with a comprehensive lineup of local networks and sports channels such as 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 over 125 channels, including major national games and a robust selection of regional sports 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

Paramount+ delivers all the sports content you'd expect from CBS Sports, including NFL on CBS games and every UEFA Champions League soccer match. It also offers a library of sports movies and TV shows, daily programming from CBS Sports HQ, and documentaries.

For golf enthusiasts, upgrading to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan provides 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 availability and frequency vary. 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 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 can allow you to watch multiple live sporting events. 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.