Best sports streaming services in the US (2026): what each one actually carries
No single service carries every league. This guide maps the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football and soccer to the licensed services that stream them, so you can buy the one you need for the season you care about.
NFL
Every local game is on CBS, FOX and NBC through YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DIRECTV Stream or an antenna. Thursday Night Football is on Prime Video, Monday Night Football on ESPN, Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV, and NFL RedZone comes with the sports add-on packs.
NBA and NHL
National games are on ESPN, TNT and now Prime Video and NBC; regional games sit on regional sports networks, which only Fubo and DIRECTV Stream CHOICE carry in most markets. NBA League Pass and NHL.TV via ESPN+ cover out-of-market games.
MLB and college football
MLB national games are on FOX, FS1, TBS and ESPN; regional games on regional sports networks or MLB.TV for out-of-market. College football lives on ESPN, FOX, CBS and the conference networks (SEC Network, Big Ten Network), all of which YouTube TV and Fubo carry.
Soccer
Premier League on NBC and Peacock, LaLiga and Serie A on ESPN+ and Paramount+, Champions League on Paramount+, MLS on Apple TV. Fubo adds beIN Sports for Ligue 1 and more.
Services compared
| Plan | Monthly price | Sports rights | Simultaneous streams |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | NFL (incl. NFL Sunday Ticket add-on), NBA on ESPN/TNT | 3 |
| Fubo | from $84.99 | NFL, MLB | 10 |
| Sling TV | from $45.99 | NFL on FOX/NBC (Blue) and ESPN (Orange), NBA on ESPN/TNT | 3 |
| Hulu + Live TV | from $82.99 | NFL, NBA | 2 |
| DIRECTV Stream | $89.99 | NFL, NBA | Unlimited at home |
| Philo | $25 | None (no ESPN, no regional sports networks) | 3 |
Prices and plans read from the official pricing page on 2026-10-12. They change often: confirm on the operator site before subscribing.
Frequently asked questions
Is IPTV legal in United States?
Licensed IPTV is legal; unlicensed subscriptions are not. The legality page linked on this page summarises the statute and enforcement in United States.
What is the cheapest legal live-TV service in United States?
The public-broadcaster apps are free. Among paid services, the lowest entry plan in this comparison is YouTube TV; see the table for current prices.
Which service is best for sport in United States?
YouTube TV hold the main sports rights; the table lists what each carries.
What internet speed do I need?
10 Mbps per HD stream and 25 Mbps per 4K stream, with a wired or 5 GHz connection for the television that matters most.
Can I watch on several TVs?
Each service allows a set number of simultaneous streams (two to four for most); the table shows the limit per service.