If DIRECTV’s high bills strain your budget but you still want to watch live NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, or college games, there are good DIRECTV alternatives for sports fans in 2026.
Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and similar services offer major channels, regional sports networks, and flexible streaming for less money without long-term contracts.
DIRECTV’s full packages often cost $90 to $125 or more per month with fees. Many alternatives offer similar sports coverage for $55 to $90.
If you want to watch local team games on regional sports networks or national broadcasts on ESPN and FS1, you can combine services to fit your budget and still see every important game.
Here are some good DIRECTV alternatives for sports fans in 2026.
1. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is still a top choice for sports fans. For $82.99 per month, you get over 100 channels, including local networks like Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC.
YouTube TV offers unlimited cloud DVR so you can record every game. It is also the only place to get NFL Sunday Ticket. For the latest deals, visit the YouTube TV Official Site.
2. Fubo
Fubo is built for dedicated sports fans, especially those who follow local baseball, basketball, and hockey teams.
The Pro plan starts at $73.99 per month and includes over 210 channels plus regional sports networks. There is a regional sports fee of $3 to $17 per month, depending on your location.
Fubo also has a Sports + News package for $55.99 per month, which focuses only on sports networks.
3. Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is a great value because it combines live channels with major on-demand services. For $89.99 per month with ads, you get over 95 live channels including important local sports plus full access to Disney+ and ESPN+.
This bundle includes plenty of live college sports and international soccer matches from the start.
4. Sling TV
If you want to pay for just a few networks and keep costs low, Sling TV is a great budget option. For $45.99 per month, you can choose either the Sling Orange or Sling Blue package to match your favorite sports.
For example, Sling Orange carries ESPN networks while Sling Blue features FS1 and local Fox or NBC stations in select major markets. You can view temporary daily passes or check local channel availability directly on the Sling TV Website.
5. ESPN+
You do not need a huge live TV package to watch great games. ESPN+ is a strong standalone option for sports fans at $11.99 per month or as part of the $19.99 Disney Trio bundle.
ESPN+ streams thousands of exclusive live events, such as NHL hockey, PGA Tour golf, Top Rank boxing, La Liga soccer, and lots of college sports.
6. Paramount+
If you mainly want to watch NFL games on CBS, top college football, and European soccer like the UEFA Champions League, Paramount+ is an affordable and reliable choice.
The Essential plan is $7.99 per month. The premium plan with Showtime is $12.99 per month and gives you 24/7 access to your local live CBS station.
7. Peacock
Peacock, NBC’s streaming app, is a must-have for fans of Sunday Night Football, Premier League soccer, Big Ten college sports, and the Olympic Games.
Peacock’s Premium tier costs $7.99 per month. If you want to skip most ads on non-live content, you can upgrade to Premium Plus for $13.99 per month.
8. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is now a major sports provider. With a standard Amazon Prime membership ($14.99 per month or $139 per year), you get exclusive Thursday Night Football games, plus select live global soccer and WNBA coverage.
9. Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a great choice for baseball and soccer fans. For $9.99 per month, you get Friday Night Baseball with weekly exclusive MLB doubleheaders in 4K. It is also the only place to watch Major League Soccer.
10. MLS Season Pass
If you want to follow American soccer closely, you can get the MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV app. It shows every regular season and playoff game with no local blackouts.
MLS Season Pass is $14.99 per month if you already have Apple TV+. If you only want the soccer content, it is $12.99 per month.
11. MLB.TV
For baseball purists trying to escape satellite contracts, MLB.TV provides a comprehensive out-of-market viewing experience. A single-team season pass costs $99.99, while the All-Access yearly pass costs $149.99 to stream every out-of-market game.
Local broadcasting shifts have allowed MLB.TV to offer in-market streaming packages for 22 teams at $19.99 per month. This lets fans watch local teams without a cable provider.
12. NBA League Pass
Basketball fans can ditch traditional TV packages using NBA League Pass to watch every out-of-market game. The standard plan sits at $14.99 per month, while a Premium option costs $22.99 per month to stream on multiple commercial-free devices simultaneously.
Local team blackouts still apply, but it is an exceptional choice for out-of-state fans.
13. WNBA League Pass
Women’s professional basketball has exploded in popularity, and the WNBA League Pass is one of the cheapest sports bargains available.
For just $34.99 per year or $4.99 per month, you can stream almost every single live out-of-market game and view full on-demand replays immediately after the final buzzer.
14. FanDuel Sports Network
Formerly known as Bally Sports, the FanDuel Sports Network offers regional sports programming for local NBA, NHL, and MLB teams across the United States. A direct-to-consumer monthly subscription costs $19.99 per month, depending on your home zip code. You can find detailed regional sign-up guidelines on the FanDuel Sports Network Packages Page.
15. Premium Team Apps (e.g., Twins.TV, YES App, NESN 360)
Due to shifting broadcast rules and network bankruptcies, many individual sports franchises now offer standalone direct-to-consumer apps.
For example, Minnesota sports fans can utilize Twins.TV for $19.99 per month to bypass blackouts completely.
Other regional apps, like the YES App for the Yankees and Nets or NESN 360 for the Red Sox and Bruins, cost about $24.99 to $29.99 per month. These apps let fans cut the cord completely. For details, check the Official Minnesota Twins Broadcast Info.