Breaking Down the Best Ways to Watch Live Sports Online

Before committing to a live streaming service, ensure that you can access the games you desire in your area. Conduct a quick internet search of your team's broadcasting schedule for the season to determine which networks broadcast their games.

Once you have identified the networks you need, check which streaming services offer those networks. However, it is crucial to research the blackout restrictions in your region, as some live-streaming services may limit their broadcasts based on location. Now we will look at the best services that allow you to watch sports without cable.

Top Live Sports Streaming Services

#1 Max

Report–branded tier of live Sporting events, such as MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA basketball, and U.S. national soccer team games. The main point is that Max will simultaneously broadcast any games that are shown on TNT, TBS, and TruTV, all of which are Warner-owned cable stations.

You can expect exclusive events and on-demand content, including documentaries. Here's the catch—this add-on comes with a free trial until the end of February. If you're new to Max, you'll find a vast array of unique content available, ranging from the dating show Naked Attraction to HBO series and exclusives, Turner Classic Movies' collection of classics, Cartoon Network's extensive catalog, and all the HGTV shows.

#2 Sling TV

Sling TV lacks comprehensive coverage of local and regional sports networks. Only three regional channels, namely NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California, and NBC Sports Washington, are available. Moreover, the local channel list only includes FOX and NBC. However, that doesn't imply that Sling TV has no sports offerings at all. By subscribing to the more expensive plan, you can access a variety of major networks.

For $35 per month, the Orange plan grants you access to ESPN and TNT, while the Blue plan at the same price includes FOX, FS1, and NBC Sports Network. For a combined price of $50 per month, you can enjoy a wide range of professional networks. Additionally, you can opt for the Sports Extra add-on for an additional $10 per month.

By the way, if you want to watch beIN Sports - a modern and popular TV channel with sports events, you also need Sling TV. I would like to raise the question of how to watch beIN Sports outside the USA. Although it's not officially possible, you can still stream beIN Sports from anywhere on Earth. You just need to install a powerful VPN that can bypass regional service restrictions. It could be VeePN, I checked it personally and it works.

#3 ESPN+

You should consider ESPN+ as a newer alternative for streaming live sports. Keep in mind that ESPN+ is a separate service from the regular ESPN network. While some regular ESPN programming may be available on ESPN+, it's important to manage your expectations as it may not offer the same live game coverage. Instead, ESPN+ provides a wide range of live and on-demand sports-related content.

ESPN+ broadcasts live games of pro baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, and more. College games can also be found on ESPN+. However, you won't be able to choose specific teams or games to watch and there is no live coverage of NFL or NBA. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $7 per month or $70 per year.

#4 Hulu + Live TV

You can think of Hulu's live-TV option as similar to Sling, with some updates to its offerings. It now includes over 90 channels, including a dozen dedicated solely to sports. However, prices are going up. The cheapest option for live TV alone is now $69 a month. If you want to access Hulu's collection of movies and shows or get a bundle deal with Disney+ and ESPN+, it'll cost $76 starting October 12. For just a dollar more per month, you can get the base bundle, which includes those two services, live TV, and ad-supported access to the Hulu library. All plans will see a $7 price increase.

With Hulu, you can enjoy local broadcast channels like CBS for the Super Bowl, FOX, ESPN, FS1 and 2, etc. Depending on where you live, you might also have access to regional sports

channels. For example, if you live in New York, you'll get SNY, home of the Mets. Additionally, you have the option to add NFL RedZone. Make sure to check your local lineup before signing up, as there may be certain blackout restrictions in effect.

#5 YouTube TV

For sports fans, YouTube TV stands out as an exceptional streaming service. You gain access to the four major local networks, namely ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. While the NHL Network is absent, you have the option to include it for an extra fee. By the way, with a free VPN for your browser you can watch YouTube without ads, as well as YouTube TV outside the USA. If you enjoy regional sports, you can watch FOX and NBC broadcasts.

For $65 per month, YouTube TV is among the few services that offer unlimited DVR storage. Moreover, you can experience its extensive sports content for 14 days, completely free.

A few final words

If you're looking for ways to watch sports without cable, there are numerous options available for streaming the teams you adore. Live TV streaming services can provide access to various games without the need for contractual commitments, unlike most cable companies. Make sure to select a service that offers the live sports streams you desire. And remember, switching to a streaming service will likely save you money each month.