The Best Sports Streaming Platforms in 2025

In recent years, more and more people have cut the cord and said goodbye to traditional cable. One of the most common reasons for this shift is the high cable TV cost. However, this creates a dilemma for sports fans, as many games and events are broadcast on traditional TV channels. Fortunately, there’s good news: you don’t need cable or live TV streaming services to enjoy your favorite sports. Today, streaming services offer various options that cater to sports lovers, with plenty of ways to catch games, highlights, and exclusive coverage. Whether you’re into football, basketball, soccer, or any other sport, here are some of the best ways to watch sports without cable.

Streaming Services: The Best Alternatives to Cable for Sports

Streaming services have revolutionized how we consume content, including live sports. Here are some top services that allow you to catch the action without the hefty price tag of cable TV:

DirecTV Stream

Formerly known as AT&T TV, DirecTV Stream offers an excellent alternative to traditional cable with access to a wide range of sports networks. This service includes channels like ESPN, FOX Sports, NBC Sports, and regional sports networks that broadcast significant sports like the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and PGA tours. It’s ideal if you’re looking for comprehensive coverage of various sports.

• Key Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, Tennis
• Price: Starting at $74.99 per month
• Free Trial: 5-day free trial available
• Best For: Sports fans who want one package access to the most significant sports channels.

FuboTV

If you’re a die-hard sports fan, FuboTV is a top contender. Known for its sports-heavy content, Fubo offers over 100 channels, including ESPN, FS1, and major networks such as CBS and NBC. The service covers sports like football, basketball, baseball, and even niche sports like cycling and tennis. It’s a great choice for those who want to follow multiple sports.

• Key Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, Tennis
• Price: Starting at $74.99 per month
• Free Trial: 7-day free trial available
• Best For: Sports fans who want extensive live coverage across multiple sports.

Sling TV

Sling TV offers a more affordable option, especially for those who are selective about their sports content. It provides access to channels like ESPN, NBA TV, NFL Network, and MLB Network. While Sling is a budget-friendly option, it does require adding sports add-ons (e.g., Sling Sports Extra) to get complete coverage of your favorite sports.

• Key Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, Tennis
• Price: Starting at $40 per month
• Free Trial: 3-day free trial available
• Best For: Budget-conscious sports fans who want to customize their channel lineup.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu’s live TV service is another strong contender for sports lovers. In addition to providing access to channels like ESPN, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports, Hulu also has a tremendous on-demand library for non-sport content. Whether you want to catch live events or stream highlights later, Hulu offers a good balance of live TV and on-demand content.

• Key Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, Tennis
• Price: Starting at $64.99 per month
• Free Trial: 7-day free trial available
• Best For: Users who want sports and entertainment content in one service.

ESPN+

If you’re primarily interested in sports and don’t mind focusing on one service, ESPN+ could be the solution. Although it doesn’t offer major live events like the NFL or NBA, it’s great for sports like UFC, college sports, and niche sports such as rugby and cricket. ESPN+ also provides exclusive access to documentaries, analysis, and highlights, making it an excellent choice for sports fans who want in-depth coverage.

• Key Sports: UFC, College Sports, NHL, Tennis, NFL
• Price: $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually
• Free Trial: 7-day free trial available
• Best For: Fans of niche sports or those who want to follow college sports and UFC.

2. Specialized Sports Streaming Services

For those passionate about a sport, several streaming platforms focus entirely on that sport or league. These services can often be more affordable than general streaming packages, making them perfect for fans who are loyal to one sport.

DAZN

If boxing is your thing, DAZN is the go-to service. This streaming platform is dedicated to delivering exclusive boxing and MMA content. From significant pay-per-view events to more minor, local matches, DAZN offers a comprehensive library for combat sports enthusiasts.

• Key Sports: Boxing, MMA
• Price: $19.99 per month
• Free Trial: 30-day free trial available
• Best For: Boxing and MMA fans who want exclusive live events and on-demand content.

Peacock

While Peacock is more commonly known for movies and TV shows, it also offers excellent coverage for sports, including the NFL, WWE, cycling, and the Olympics. It’s an ideal choice for fans of these sports, especially with the added benefit of watching premium content like WWE pay-per-view events.

• Key Sports: NFL, WWE, Cycling, Olympics
• Price: Starting at $5.99 per month
• Free Trial: A free tier is available, but premium features require a subscription
• Best For: Fans of the NFL, WWE, and international sports like cycling and the Olympics.

Paramount Plus

For soccer fans, Paramount Plus is an excellent choice. It offers coverage of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Serie A, and NFL games. If you enjoy international soccer or NFL action, this service covers you.

• Key Sports: UEFA Champions League, NFL, Soccer
• Price: Starting at $5.99 per month
• Free Trial: 7-day free trial available
• Best For: Soccer and NFL fans who want affordable streaming focusing on international sports.

Low-cost and Niche Streaming Services

For fans who only want a specific league or sport, the following services cater to a narrower audience:

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has gained traction as a sports streaming platform with exclusive content like Major League Soccer (MLS) and a growing selection of baseball games (MLB). If you’re a fan of these sports, Apple TV+ offers a unique, affordable option.

• Key Sports: MLS, MLB
• Price: $9.99 per month
• Free Trial: 7-day free trial available
• Best For: Soccer and baseball fans.

Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video offers more than just movies and TV shows. It also covers sports like NFL, MMA, and WNBA, including exclusive Thursday Night Football broadcasts. Additionally, Prime Video offers live streams of sports events and documentaries.

• Key Sports: NFL, MMA, WNBA
• Price: Included with Amazon Prime membership ($14.99 per month)
• Free Trial: 30-day free trial of Prime available
• Best For: Amazon Prime users who want to watch NFL games and other sports events.

Conclusion: Which Service is Right for You?

The choice of which service to use depends mainly on what sports you watch, your budget, and the level of coverage you need. If you want an all-in-one solution with major sports networks, services like FuboTV or DirecTV Stream are great options for fans of specific sports like boxing, UFC, or soccer; specialized services like DAZN and Paramount Plus offer affordable alternatives.

No matter which service you choose, the world of sports streaming has become more accessible than ever, allowing you to enjoy your favorite teams without the burden of a cable subscription. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to stream the games that matter most to you.