How To Watch Live Sport Without a Cable Subscription

You can watch live sports without a cable subscription. You need a streaming service, a league app, or just an antenna. Here is exactly how to do it, with current prices and trade-offs.

The Two Paths: All-in-One Sports Streaming vs. League-Specific Apps

You have two main options. The first is a live TV streaming service that bundles sports channels like ESPN, TNT, and your local networks. These cost $46 to $80 per month. The second is league-specific apps like NBA League Pass or MLB.TV. Those cost $10 to $15 per month per league, but they only show one sport.

Which one is right for you? If you watch multiple sports across different leagues, go with an all-in-one service. If you only follow one league, a dedicated app is cheaper. Most fans end up using a mix of both.

Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) – The Best Bang for Your Buck

Sling TV Orange costs $40 per month. Add the Sports Extra package for $6 per month. That totals $46 per month. You get ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, TBS, and NFL RedZone. That covers a lot of live sports, including NBA games on TNT, college football on ESPN, and NFL action on RedZone.

The catch: Sling Orange only lets you stream on one device at a time. You also do not get the four major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC). You can fix the network gap with an antenna (see the checklist below). But if you need to watch local sports on Fox or NBC, Sling is not enough on its own.

Get Sling TV if your budget is tight and you are okay watching on one TV. It is the cheapest way to get ESPN and NFL RedZone without cable. For $46 per month, you get more sports channels than any other service at this price.

YouTube TV – The Closest You’ll Get to Cable Without the Box

YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month. It includes all four major broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. You also get ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, TNT, TBS, and NFL Network. That is 85+ channels total. You can stream on three devices at once and record unlimited shows with its cloud DVR.

This is the service to pick if you want the full cable experience without the contract. It works on every device: Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, smart TVs, and phones. The price is higher than Sling, but you get local channels and the ability to watch on more TVs.

The trade-off: YouTube TV does not carry regional sports networks (RSNs) like Bally Sports or NESN in most markets. If you need those for your local MLB, NBA, or NHL team, you need a different service. Otherwise, YouTube TV is the most reliable all-in-one option.

Hulu + Live TV and Fubo – When You Want More Than Sports

Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 per month. It includes ESPN, FS1, and local broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC). You also get the full Hulu on-demand library and Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled in. That is a lot of content for one subscription.

The downside: Hulu's interface is not as smooth as YouTube TV's. Some users report lag during live sports. It works fine, but YouTube TV feels more polished for channel surfing.

Fubo costs $79.99 per month for its Pro plan. It is the only service that carries all four major broadcast networks and most regional sports networks like Bally Sports or NESN. If your local MLB team plays on Bally Sports, Fubo is your best bet.

Fubo also streams in 4K for select events at no extra cost. The trade-off: Fubo does not include TNT or TBS, so you miss NBA and MLB playoff games on those channels. You can add them via a separate Max subscription for $9.99 per month.

Go with Hulu if you want the bundle. Go with Fubo if you need regional sports networks. Otherwise, save money with Sling or YouTube TV.

League Apps: ESPN+, NFL Sunday Ticket (via YouTube), NBA League Pass, MLB.TV, and Peacock

League-specific apps let you watch one sport at a lower price. Here is the breakdown for each major one.

ESPN+ costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year. It streams out-of-market NHL games, college sports, UFC fights, and soccer (La Liga, Bundesliga). But ESPN+ does not include ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC live streams. Those require a separate cable-like service like Sling or YouTube TV. This confuses many people. The fix: ESPN+ is a supplement, not a replacement.

NFL Sunday Ticket streams every out-of-market Sunday afternoon game. It costs $349 for the season when bundled with YouTube TV base ($72.99/month). The standalone version without YouTube TV costs $449. You also need YouTube TV to watch your local games on CBS and Fox. Sunday Ticket runs from September to January. If you only care about one team in another market, it is worth the price. For casual fans, stick with an antenna and RedZone.

NBA League Pass costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year (2026 prices). It streams every out-of-market NBA game. Local games are blacked out unless you use a VPN. You also get live access to NBA TV. The trade-off: playoff games are not included. Those air on TNT, ESPN, and ABC, which require a live TV service.

MLB.TV costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year. It streams every out-of-market regular season game. Local games are blacked out. You can watch your local team with an antenna or Fubo if your RSN is on it. Postseason games are on Fox, FS1, and TBS, so you still need a live TV service.

Peacock costs $5.99 per month for Premium or $11.99 per month for Premium Plus (ad-free sports). It streams Premier League soccer, WWE events, and Sunday Night Football (exclusive games). For $5.99 per month, it is the cheapest way to get live Premier League matches. Sunday Night Football games also air on NBC, so you can watch them with an antenna. Peacock is a no-brainer add-on for soccer fans.

Amazon Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football. It is included with a Prime membership at $14.99 per month or $139 per year. You also get WNBA games and some NHL games. If you already have Prime, Thursday Night Football costs you nothing extra.

Pre-Game Checklist: Antenna, Internet Speed, and Device Compatibility

Before you sign up for anything, check three things: your antenna, your internet speed, and your streaming device.

Antenna. A good amplified antenna like the Mohu Leaf 50 ($49.99) pulls in local broadcast channels over the air for free. You get CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, and PBS in HD. That covers NFL games on Sunday, college football on ABC, and MLB games on Fox. No monthly fee. Just plug it into your TV and scan for channels. This is the cheapest way to watch live sports.

Internet speed. You need at least 15 Mbps for HD streaming. For 4K, you need 25 Mbps. Run a free test at Speedtest.net. If your speed is under 15 Mbps, consider upgrading your plan or using Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi. Streaming services buffer less with a wired connection.

Device compatibility. Most streaming apps work on smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV. The Apple TV 4K ($129) is the best dedicated device. It supports every major sports app, has no ad-bloat, and handles 4K and Dolby Atmos. Roku Streaming Stick+ ($39.99) is a cheaper option that also works well. Avoid older smart TVs that may not get app updates. If your TV is from 2018 or earlier, buy a streaming stick instead.

Set up your antenna first. Check your internet speed. Then pick your service. That is it. No cable needed.

Part of our guide to Where To Watch It: A Streaming Availability Guide.