Where to watch UNC football games live this season

UNC has most of its games carried on specific platforms, plus the occasional local or syndicated feed.

The best option for where to watch UNC football games live this season depends on whether you want every game or cheap, sporadic/one-game access.

Where to watch UNC football games live this season for free

For free access to live matches this season, we recommend the following options:

1. ABC Local Over-the-Air

Availability: Local.
Channels: Local ABC affiliate channel.
Device support: Any digital/smart TV
Simultaneous streams: One per TV.

This it’s the simplest, lowest-latency option, and it’s still the best way to get full HD network broadcasts without subscriptions.

You’ll get the same on-air production, local ad breaks, and network shows you see on cable. For many marquee ACC matchups, ABC remains a primary TV home.

Pros:

Truly free and low latency.
Highest broadcast reliability with no app or login.
Works without internet.
No subscription complexity on game day.

Cons:

Only works in the TV station’s coverage area.
No multi-game streaming or on-the-go access unless you use portable tuners.
No integrated DVR unless your tuner or smart TV supports it.

2. UNC Athletics and Tar Heel Sports Network

Availability: Global (some video/radio feeds geo-restricted on rights days).
Channels: Official live audio and limited video for non-televised events.
Device support: Embedded web player, iOS/Android Tar Heels apps, Apple CarPlay / Android Auto (audio), and university media players.
Simultaneous streams: Depends on the event and rights.

UNC’s official athletics site and the Tar Heel Sports Network are your go-to for non-televised games, pregame shows, coaches’ content, and full radio play-by-play.

When a national or ACC broadcast partner doesn’t carry a game, the university may stream video or at least provide live audio through its platform.

Pros:

Best for team-centric coverage.
Reliable radio audio and local commentary.
Good for non-televised contests and behind-the-scenes content.
Often available worldwide (audio especially).
No third-party branding interruptions.

Cons:

Video may be limited or blacked out because of conference TV rights.
Production is smaller than national TV, with fewer camera angles.
Requires an account/login for premium features.

3. ACC Network YouTube

Availability: Global for highlights and conference clips; full events are limited by rights.
Channels: ACC Digital Network uploads highlights, condensed games, and clips.
Device support: YouTube players on web, mobile apps, smart TVs, streaming boxes.
Simultaneous streams: N/A.

The ACC’s digital channels and YouTube are the places to watch UNC football games live this season, in case you miss a game.

You won’t get full live telecasts of big conference games on the YouTube channel. But for condensed recaps, conference features, and alternate clips, this is a free, low-friction resource that fills the “I missed the first half, show me the scoring” gap.

Pros:

Free, fast highlights and condensed games.
Easy to share and watch on any device.
Great for scouting and recaps.
No subscription or login required.

Cons:

Not a live full-game source for most televised contests.
No live play-by-play control or alternate camera feeds.

4. TuneIn and SiriusXM

Availability: Globally.
Channels: Audio feeds.
Device support: In-car receivers, apps, web browsers.
Simultaneous streams: Depends on account.

SiriusXM and TuneIn aggregate radio streams across the country. If you’re away from Chapel Hill but want the UNC radio feed, these services are the simplest path.

Pros:

Nationwide access to radio broadcasts.
Apps are available in cars and on many smart devices.
Often lower data usage than video.
Can be used hands-free in cars and smart speakers.

Cons:

Typically audio-only and occasionally delayed.
SiriusXM is paid if you need premium channels.

Paid options for watching UNC football games live this season

For reliable streams and all the matches, we recommend the following:

1. ACC Network Extra via ESPN

Starting price (Per month): None.
Availability: U.S.
Channels: ACC Network and ACCNX.
Device support: ACCN: major cable boxes and linear channel apps; ACCNX through the ESPN app on smart TVs, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, and browsers.
Simultaneous streams: Depends on provider and ESPN/ACCN terms.

You’ll see the bulk of UNC’s conference slate on ACCN and the most complete ACC calendar in combination with ACCNX. ACCN is the linear channel with national programming.

ACCNX is the “extra” digital channel where hundreds of additional conference events, including games from smaller time slots and cross-sport coverage, land online.

Pros:

Most comprehensive single source for ACC/UNC live coverage.
ACCNX fills in the gaps with additional live events.
Streamed via ESPN app across many devices.
Official conference production and consistent scheduling.

Cons:

You can’t subscribe directly; you must get ACCN through a provider.
Some games still end up on larger network partners (ABC/ESPN), which require other services.

2. ESPN+

Starting price (Per month): About $10.
Availability: U.S. only.
Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN+ streaming catalogue.
Device support: Most devices and consoles.
Simultaneous streams: 3.

As mentioned earlier, ESPN and its app are central for UNC football because many ACC matchups are syndicated across ESPN’s linear family.

Separately, ESPN+ holds niche and exclusive college content. It sometimes carries replays, documentaries, and conference overflow.

Pros:

ESPN is the primary national sports partner for ACC content.
ESPN+ is inexpensive for extras, replays and exclusive events.
Reliable live stream quality and rebroadcasts.

Cons:

ESPN+ alone doesn’t replace ACCN access for many games.
Rights shuffle can move specific games to other partners.

3. YouTube TV

Starting price (Per month): About $82 without promos.
Availability: U.S.A.
Channels: 100+.
Device support: All devices and consoles.
Simultaneous streams: 3.

YouTube TV bundles ESPN, ABC local affiliate, where available, and ACC Network in its base lineup for most markets. Most Tar Heel games that appear on those channels are available live with a single subscription.

Pros:

All-in-one live TV with ESPN and ACCN carriage in many markets.
Unlimited cloud DVR and easy multi-device playback.
Good on-the-go streaming for away games.
Reliable stream quality and extras like 4K add-ons.

Cons:

Costs more than a single DTC option, and regional channel availability varies.
Simultaneous streams limited to 3.

4. Hulu + Live TV

Starting price (Per month): $89.99.
Availability: U.S. markets.
Channels: ESPN family channels and ACC Network plus Disney bundle perks.
Device support: All major smart TV platforms, phones, and web, plus integrations with voice assistants.
Simultaneous streams: 2.

This is a reliable where to watch UNC football games live this season, plus an on-demand library in one bill. It’s useful if you want to pair game viewing with Hulu originals and Disney+ content in bundle offers.

Pros:

Bundled entertainment and live channels.
Unlimited Screens add-on if you need many house streams.
Good DVR and rewind features.
Works well on mainstream smart TV platforms.

Cons:

Base plan limits to 2 streams (add-on cost for more).
Price increases and bundle complexity can be confusing.
Some regional blackouts still apply.

5. Fubo

Starting price (Per month): $84.99.
Availability: U.S.A. and international Fubo editions for some markets.
Channels: 219+.
Device support: All smart TVs, mobile OS, and web browsers
Simultaneous streams: Up to 10 devices at home. 3 on the go.

This provider specifically targets football viewers and includes many of the channels you need to follow UNC across the season.

If you want advanced game-watching features, like split screens, multiple game viewing, and a sports-first DVR experience, the platform has that workflow.

Pros:

Excellent for households that watch multiple games concurrently.
Strong channel lineups for college football fans.
Good 4K options on select events.
Built for live sports discovery and condensed replays.

Cons:

Regional channel differences require lineup checks.
Some niche channels still require add-ons.

6. DIRECTV STREAM

Starting price (Per month): $89.99.
Availability: U.S. via streaming, and traditional satellite packages are still available.
Channels: 90+ on the lowest package.
Device support: All major Smart TV platforms, iOS/Android, Windows/Mac browsers.
Simultaneous streams: Unlimited on home network; up to 3 streams away from home.

This remains a one-stop place to watch UNC football games live this season. Many of its packages carry ESPN/ABC/ACCN and sports bundles that let you follow UNC across the season. It’s also forgiving when it comes to streaming limits on your home network.

Also, if you want pay-TV parity without satellite hardware, DIRECTV STREAM behaves like the old satellite stack when it comes to channel access.

Pros:

Cable-style channel lineups with sports packs.
Unlimited in-home streaming and 3 away streams.
Good DVR and family sharing on home network.
Familiar channel packages for longtime pay-TV users.

Cons:

Costly compared with skinny bundles for basic viewers.
Package complexity as sports add-ons can increase price.
Some streaming features vary by device.

7. Sling TV

Starting price (Per month): $45.99.
Availability: U.S.A. only.
Channels: 43+.
Device support: Roku, Fire, and Android TV platforms, mobile apps, and web. Apple TV support is limited.
Simultaneous streams: Orange: 1, Blue: 3.

If you want a more affordable option, this platform lets you tailor your lineup and add sports packages. But to get ACCN and the ESPN family, you’ll need a combination of base packages and sports extras.

Pros:

Lower price point with customizable add-ons.
Good for occasional fans who want a specific channel.
Flexible billing.

Cons:

Need the right add-on mix to get ACCN/ESPN.
DVR and simultaneous streams are more restricted than premium bundles.

8. Peacock / NBC Sports

Starting price (Per month): $4.99.
Availability: U.S. only.
Channels: NBC Sports.
Device support: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, many smart TVs, consoles and mobile devices.
Simultaneous streams: Up to 3.

Peacock is not the primary place to watch UNC football games live this season. But several postseason bowl games, special national windows, and NBC-produced events stream via Peacock. So, if UNC reaches a bowl or a nationally produced special, it may be available there.

Pros:

Low cost and broad device reach.
Carries some bowls and special NBC events.
Good on-demand library for replays and analysis.
Handy for postseason coverage.

Cons:

Not a primary carrier for ACC regular-season games.
Some live sports content is limited to higher tiers.
Not all bowl games are guaranteed to appear.

9. Sling Day/Weekend Passes

Starting price (Per pass): $1 for a Day Pass extra, $2 for a Weekend Pass extra.
Availability: U.S.
Channels: ACCN/ESPN for the pass duration.
Device support: Same as Sling (Fire TV, Roku, mobile, web).
Simultaneous streams: Follows Sling pass terms.

If you only need to watch one game while traveling or for a single weekend, Sling’s short-term passes let you unlock the channels you need without a full-month commitment.

This is a highly cost-efficient hack for out-of-market fans who don’t want a long subscription.

Pros:

Very cheap for one-off game days.
No long-term subscription commitment.
Adds Sports Extra temporarily so you can watch ACCN.
Great if you only need a single marquee matchup.

Cons:

Day passes are time-limited and final sale.
You must plan for activation and device login.