Finding sports coverage on streaming services can be confusing, and Sling TV is no different. Instead of putting everything in one big package like cable, Sling TV splits its sports channels between two main plans: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. There’s also an extra add-on if you want even more sports options.
If you want to watch live games without spending too much, it’s important to know which plan has the sports channels you need so you don’t miss out.
Here is a simple guide to where you’ll find sports channels on Sling TV.
The base framework: Orange vs. Blue
Both Sling TV plans cost $45.99 per month, but each one has a different set of channels because of their separate agreements with networks.
1. Sling Orange: The Disney and ESPN Hub
Sling Orange is designed for fans of college sports, the NBA, and Monday Night Football. Since Disney owns ESPN and the Disney Channel, both are only available in this plan.
Its core sports channels are ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and MotorTrend.
One thing to keep in mind: Sling Orange only lets you stream on one device at a time. If someone is watching ESPN, no one else can use the account at the same time.
2. Sling Blue: The NFL and Soccer hub
Sling Blue is aimed at NFL fans, Premier League soccer viewers, and people who like regional sports. Instead of ESPN, this plan includes channels from Fox and NBC.
The main sports channels in Sling Blue are Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and NFL Network. You also get USA Network, which is the main channel for mid-week Premier League soccer games.
Sling Blue lets you stream on three devices at once, so it’s a better choice for bigger households.
3. Sling Orange and Blue combo
If you want the most coverage, you can get both plans together for $60.99 per month. This gives you access to ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network, plus four streams at once (one for Orange channels and three for Blue channels).
4. The Sports Extra add-on
If you want more than just the main games, Sling has a “Sports Extra” add-on for $11 more each month. The channels you get with this add-on depend on which base plan you have.
Sports Extra with Sling Orange
The Sports Extra channels with Sling Orange include:
- SEC Network/SEC Network+
- ACC Network/ACC Network Extra
- ESPNU
- ESPNews
- MLB Network
- NBA TV
- NHL Network
- beIN SPORTS
Sports Extra with Sling Blue
The Sports Extra channels with Sling Blue include:
- Big Ten Network
- FOX Sports 2
- NFL RedZone
- Golf Channel
- MLB Network
- NBA TV
- NHL Network
- Tennis Channel
- beIN SPORTS
If you have both Sling Orange and Blue, the Sports Extra add-on costs $15 per month and gives you all the extra channels from both lists above.
General entertainment channels with live sports
Don’t forget about regular entertainment channels when looking at sports coverage. Sling TV’s base plans include some important cable channels that show big events like NCAA March Madness, the MLB playoffs, and the NBA playoffs:
- TBS (Available on both Orange and Blue)
- TNT (Available on both Orange and Blue)
- truTV (Available on Sling Blue)
- FX (Available on Sling Blue)
The local channel dilemma
The hardest part for sports fans on Sling TV is getting local channels like ABC, FOX, and NBC. Sling only offers these in a few big cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, and only with the Sling Blue plan.
Also, if you do get local channels in your area, Sling adds a $5 monthly fee to your bill.
If you live outside these big cities and want to watch regional games, NFL Sundays, or big tournaments on regular TV networks, you’ll need to add an HD antenna to get free local channels.