Updated August 2026 by the SmartTechTVs Editorial Team
Sports streaming is no longer a one-app decision. The best service depends on the league you follow, your country, whether you need local channels, and how much you are willing to pay. A football fan in the United States may need a different combination from a basketball fan in Germany or a cricket fan in India.
This guide compares ten real sports-streaming apps and services. Prices below are the advertised starting prices or representative regional prices shown by the providers’ official pages when checked in August 2026. Streaming rights, taxes, promotions, blackouts, and supported countries can change, so confirm the final offer on the provider’s local checkout page before subscribing.
Quick comparison
| Service | Best for | Example price | Supported countries or regions | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN Select / ESPN Unlimited | U.S. ESPN networks and sports coverage | Select from $13.99/month; Unlimited from $31.99/month | United States; plan and content availability are market-specific | Different tiers include different ESPN networks and events |
| DAZN | Combat sports and country-specific football or league rights | U.S. example: $34.99/month, or $24.99/month on an annual monthly plan | Multiple markets, including the U.S., UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Japan, and many other countries; catalog varies by market | One country’s DAZN catalog may be very different from another’s |
| Peacock | NBC sports, Premier League, WWE, golf, and selected events | Premium from $8.99/month; sports-oriented offers may cost more | United States and certain U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands | Not generally available as a full service outside the U.S. market |
| Paramount+ | UEFA competitions, NFL on CBS in eligible markets, UFC, and soccer | U.S. plans from $8.99/month | United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and several Latin American markets | Sports rights and plan names vary by country |
| Fubo | Live sports channels and regional sports in supported markets | U.S. example: from $88.99/month after introductory offers | United States, Canada, and Spain, with different channel lineups | Regional sports fees and local availability may apply |
| YouTube TV | Broad U.S. live-TV replacement with sports channels | From $82.99/month after promotional pricing | United States only, including eligible U.S. locations | It is a live-TV bundle, not a global sports-league pass |
| Sling TV | Lower-cost U.S. access to selected ESPN, FOX, TNT, and sports channels | Sports access from $4.99 for a one-day pass; plans from $19.99/month | United States | Channel availability depends on the selected package and ZIP code |
| Hulu + Live TV | U.S. households that want live sports with entertainment and Disney content | From $89.99/month after the trial offer | United States only for Live TV | Local channels and sports feeds vary by location |
| NBA League Pass | Live and on-demand NBA games | Representative Germany pricing: €10.99/month standard or €14.99/month Premium | Available in many international markets and through the NBA app; local blackouts and selected-country restrictions apply | Blackouts can affect games carried by local or national partners |
| NFL+ | U.S. mobile NFL access and selected live games | $6.99/month or $49.99/year; Premium $14.99/month or $99.99/season | United States | Live-game features are restricted by device, market, and NFL broadcast rules |
1. ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited
ESPN now separates its direct-to-consumer offering into Select and Unlimited tiers. Select is the lower-cost option for fans who need a narrower package, while Unlimited is designed for viewers who want substantially broader ESPN access. The official U.S. pricing page lists Select from $13.99 per month and Unlimited from $31.99 per month, with annual options also available.
ESPN is a strong choice for U.S. fans who follow college sports, major American leagues, studio programming, and events carried by ESPN. It is not a universal international sports app: the direct-to-consumer plans and rights are market-specific. Check the official U.S. plan page or the ESPN service available in your country before subscribing.
2. DAZN
DAZN is one of the broadest international sports-streaming brands, but its catalogue is not identical everywhere. It is particularly prominent for boxing, MMA, football, and league-specific rights. On the U.S. pricing page checked for this guide, the monthly plan was listed at $34.99, while an annual contract paid monthly was listed at $24.99 per month. Annual upfront and event-specific options may also be offered.
DAZN operates across numerous markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, and Japan, but the exact sports rights and prices depend on the billing country. Do not assume that a match available in one DAZN market is available in another.
3. Peacock
Peacock is a practical U.S. option for selected live sports and events, including Premier League football, WWE, golf, cycling, and NBC sports coverage. Its official plan page showed Premium from $8.99 per month, while sports-focused offers can be priced differently. Premium includes live sports and events, but the exact event schedule should be checked before subscribing.
Peacock’s official availability help page states that the service is available in the United States and certain U.S. territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is therefore not a good choice for a reader who needs a general international sports platform.
4. Paramount+
Paramount+ combines entertainment with live sports in several markets. Depending on the country, the sports catalogue can include UEFA competitions, NFL on CBS in eligible U.S. markets, UFC, NWSL, Concacaf, Serie A, and other football competitions. U.S. plans were advertised from $8.99 per month when this article was checked.
Paramount+ lists availability across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and several Latin American countries. The service warns that plan names, pricing, and sports rights differ by region, so select your country on the official Paramount+ page rather than relying on a U.S. price.
5. Fubo
Fubo is built around live television channels rather than a single league. It is useful for fans who want a combination of sports networks, regional channels, news, and entertainment without a traditional cable contract. The U.S. plans page showed an example price of $63.99 for the first month and $88.99 per month afterward, with regional sports fees potentially added.
Fubo operates in the United States, Canada, and Spain, but each market has a different channel package. Local sports availability can depend on the viewer’s region, and regional sports fees may materially affect the final price.
6. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a U.S. live-TV replacement with sports channels, cloud DVR, and a broad channel bundle. The official offer page showed a standard price of $82.99 per month after introductory pricing. It can make sense for households that watch several sports networks as well as general television, but it may be excessive if you only want one league.
YouTube TV is available in the United States, and local channel lineups vary by location. It should not be confused with the regular YouTube app, which has a much broader international footprint but does not provide the same paid live-TV package.
7. Sling TV
Sling TV is a flexible U.S. option for viewers who want selected sports channels without paying for the largest live-TV bundle. Its official sports page advertises access starting at $4.99 for a one-day pass, while monthly plans start at different prices depending on the package. Sling’s Orange and Blue combination is aimed at viewers who need a broader mix of sports and entertainment channels.
Sling is available in the United States. Channel lineups and local broadcast availability depend on the package and ZIP code, so compare the channel list for your address before paying.
8. Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is aimed at U.S. households that want live sports alongside entertainment, Disney content, and on-demand programming. Hulu’s official sports page showed a plan from $89.99 per month after the trial offer. ESPN content is included in the current bundle structure, but the precise channels and local feeds remain location-dependent.
Live TV is available in the 50 United States. It is not an international sports service, and using a U.S. price as a guide for another country would be misleading.
9. NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass is the most focused option in this list. It is designed for fans who want live and on-demand NBA games, alternative broadcasts, selected multiview features, and—on Premium—download options and additional viewing benefits. The official regional purchase page displayed €10.99 per month for the standard plan and €14.99 per month for Premium in Germany.
The NBA app and League Pass are available in many international markets, but blackouts and partner restrictions apply. A game carried by a local or national broadcaster may be unavailable live in a particular country while still becoming available later on demand. Always check the blackout information for your billing country.
10. NFL+
NFL+ is the NFL’s official subscription service inside the NFL app and NFL.com ecosystem. The official support page lists NFL+ at $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year, while NFL+ Premium is listed at $14.99 per month or $99.99 per season. Features can include live local and primetime games on supported mobile devices, out-of-market preseason games, NFL Network, and—on Premium—NFL RedZone, subject to the plan and broadcast rules.
NFL+ is a United States service. It is best for fans who understand the difference between mobile access, national broadcasts, preseason games, and Sunday ticket-style coverage. It is not a replacement for every live NFL game in every device category.
How to choose the right sports app
Start with the competition you actually watch. A league pass is usually more efficient for one sport, while Fubo, YouTube TV, Sling, or Hulu + Live TV are better suited to households that want a bundle of networks. DAZN and Paramount+ make more sense when their country-specific rights include the competition you care about.
Next, verify three details before paying: the billing country, the device you will use, and the blackout policy. A service can be officially available in your country while still withholding particular games because a local broadcaster owns those rights.
Is a VPN a reliable way to access another country’s sports app?
A VPN may change the apparent location of a connection, but it does not guarantee access. Providers can restrict accounts, payment methods, app stores, or content when the subscription country and viewing location do not match. The safer approach is to use a service officially sold in your country and to follow its terms.
Final verdict
There is no single best sports-streaming app for every fan. ESPN, Peacock, Paramount+, Fubo, YouTube TV, Sling, and Hulu are strongest in particular U.S. use cases; DAZN is more international but highly market-dependent; NBA League Pass and NFL+ are specialist league services. Compare the sport, country, live-game rights, blackouts, device limits, and total monthly cost—not just the headline subscription price.
Official references
ESPN Select and Unlimited prices; DAZN plans and pricing; Peacock plans; Peacock availability; Paramount+ regions; Fubo plans; YouTube TV pricing information; Sling TV sports plans; Hulu + Live TV sports; NBA League Pass purchase page; NFL+ pricing.
Prices and rights change. Check the provider’s local page before subscribing.
