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Ranking the best streaming services for sports fans: Fubo, Paramount+, ESPN, DirecTV and more live stream options

Jordan Greer

Ranking the best streaming services for sports fans: Fubo, Paramount+, ESPN, DirecTV and more live stream options image

When it comes to streaming options, there has never been a better time to be a sports fan. There are so many choices currently available for cord-cutters, so you never have to miss a game.

Of course, the variety of plans on the market presents streamers with new questions. What is the best package for me? What will fit within my budget? What else do I get beyond live sports coverage?

Don't worry — we're here to help you make a final decision.

Here is everything you need to know about the best streaming services for sports fans.

Ranking the best streaming services for sports fans

1. Fubo

Fubo is a streaming service that is built for the modern sports fan. It allows cord-cutters to watch live games and record all of the action on Cloud DVR. In addition to sports coverage, Fubo also has plenty of entertainment and news channels.

Here is a breakdown of each Fubo plan:

Pro ($54.99 for first month after free trial, then $84.99 per month)

  • 242 channels
  • Regional NBA, NHL and MLB games
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Watch on up to 10 screens at once

Elite with Sports Plus ($74.99 for first month after free trial, then $104.99 per month)

  • 320 channels
  • Regional NBA, NHL and MLB games
  • ESPN Unlimited included
  • Sports Plus with NFL RedZone
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Watch on up to 10 screens at once
  • 4K included

Deluxe ($84.99 for first month after free trial, then $114.99 per month)

  • 334 channels
  • Regional NBA, NHL and MLB games
  • ESPN Unlimited included
  • Sports Plus with NFL RedZone
  • MGM+
  • International Sports Plus
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Watch on up to 10 screens at once
  • 4K included

FanDuel Sports Network South and Southeast ($24.99 for first month after free trial, then $29.99 per month)

  • 3 regional sports channels
  • Regional NBA, NHL and MLB games
  • 100-plus additional free channels
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Watch on up to 10 screens at once

Latino ($9.99 for first month after free trial, then $14.99 per month)

  • 57 channels
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Watch on up to two screens at once

2. ESPN

The streaming service, simply called "ESPN," places all of ESPN's coverage under one umbrella for sports fans. It allows subscribers to follow along with live sporting events and catch their favorite ESPN shows like "SportsCenter," "College GameDay" and "First Take."

Here is a breakdown of each ESPN plan:

Select plan

  • $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year
  • Access to ESPN+ content
  • More than 32,000 live sporting events each year
  • Studio shows, on-demand replays and original content

Unlimited plan

  • $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year
  • Access to all of ESPN's linear networks and other services, including ESPN+
  • 47,000 live sporting events each year
  • Studio shows, on-demand replays and original content

3. Paramount+

Paramount+ is a streaming service that combines the best content from the worlds of sports, news and entertainment. You can stream live events as well as thousands of hours of shows and movies.

Here is a breakdown of each Paramount+ plan:

Paramount+ Essential ($7.99 per month/$59.99 per year)

  • 40,000-plus episodes and movies
  • NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League
  • Stream on three devices at a time
  • Limited ads

Paramount+ Premium ($12.99 per month/$119.99 per year)

  • Everything in Paramount+ Essential
  • Stream CBS for live sporting events
  • Download shows and movies
  • Access to Showtime
  • No ads except for live TV

4. DirecTV

DirecTV is a streaming service that gives customers the ability to watch TV channels offered as part of a typical cable or satellite package. Viewers can follow along with live games, stream on unlimited devices within their home network and record all of the action on Cloud DVR. DirecTV also offers plenty of news and entertainment channels in its plans.

Here is a breakdown of each DirecTV plan:

Entertainment ($49.99 for first month)

  • 90-plus DirecTV channels
  • Local channels included
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR recording

Choice ($54.99 for first month)

  • Everything in Entertainment plan
  • Specialty sports channels like ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, SEC Network and more
  • Regional Sports Networks to watch local teams

Ultimate ($79.99 for first month)

  • Everything in Choice plan
  • Even more sports and movie channels like CBS Sports Network, Discovery Family, FX Movie Channel, NHL Network, Starz Encore and more

Premier ($119.99 for first month)

  • Everything in Ultimate plan
  • Additional premium channels like HBO Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz and Cinemax

5. Peacock

Peacock is a streaming service created by NBC Universal that offers a wide variety of movies, TV shows and live sports for subscribers. NBC Universal holds media rights for NFL and NBA games as well as college basketball, college football, golf, NASCAR, the Olympics and WWE events.

Here is a breakdown of each Peacock plan:

Premium ($10.99 per month, $109.99 per year)

  • Stream movies, TV shows and live sports
  • Current NBC and Bravo shows
  • Includes ads

Premium Plus ($16.99 per month, $169.99 per year)

  • Everything included in Premium plan
  • Ad-free experience (limited exclusions)
  • Download and watch content offline

Honorable mentions

  • Apple TV+: Apple TV+ is a streaming service that gives subscribers the ability to watch movies, shows and live sports. Unlike some other streaming services, Apple TV+ regularly adds original content each month that is created specifically for the platform. It offers a basic monthly plan ($12.99 per month).
  • DAZN: DAZN is a streaming service that is available in more than 200 territories around the world. It allows fans to watch hours of live and on-demand content, covering a wide array of events and giving subscribers a one-stop shop for all of their sports needs. It offers a 12-Month Monthly Saver ($19.99 per month) or Flexible Pass ($29.99 per month).
  • FloSports: FloSports serves as the streaming home for thousands of sporting events, and it is a partner with nearly 20 conferences, including the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), South Atlantic Conference and Gulf South Conference. New subscribers can get a 15 percent discount on a FloCollege annual subscription through The Sporting News' exclusive offer.
  • NFHS Network: The NFHS Network is a streaming service that is built for high school sports fans. It allows subscribers to watch a wide variety of sporting events live and on demand. It offers an Annual Pass ($6.67 per month) or Monthly Pass ($13.99 per month).

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.