How to Stream Live Sports Games

Matthew Parker

Matthew Parker

Published on October 10, 2023

If you're a big sports fan, you know there's nothing that beats the excitement of the edge-of-your-seat moments, wild surprises and pure love for the game. The way we watch sports has changed a lot in recent years. You are no longer tied down by cable or satellite TV to watch your favorite matches and can view your favorite matches wherever you want. From your cozy living room couch or a crowded train, you can dive into live games with just a click on your mobile phone. But which apps should you trust to stream live sports games? These are the 5 best live sports streaming apps for on the go!  

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NHL: Scores & Stats

NHL: Scores & Stats

Video streaming apps

3.7

NHL: Scores & Stats
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NHL

Ready for some hockey action? The NHL app has got you covered. It’s perfect for those who eat, sleep, and breathe hockey, offering live streams of every NHL game, whether it’s the intensity of the Stanley Cup playoffs or the excitement of the regular season. With loads of highlights and interviews too, this app keeps the ice action right at your fingertips. The NHL app is free to download, but to have access to live games, highlights, or news you must have a NHL TV subscription. Thereby, fans in the U.S. can stream NHL games with ESPN+. Fans in Canada can stream NHL games with Sportsnet+. 

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NFL (NFL+)

NFL (NFL+)

Sports Streaming Apps

3.9

NFL (NFL+)
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NFL

If football is your thing, the NFL app is like scoring a winning touchdown. It’s got everything—a live stream of every hard-hitting NFL game, plus access to the NFL Network for exclusive shows and live events. It’s pretty much football heaven for die-hard fans. The NFL app is free to download, but to have access to live games, highlights, or news you must have a NFL+ Premium subscription.  

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FOX Sports

FOX Sports

Video streaming apps

3.8

FOX Sports
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Fox Sports

For all the American sports lovers out there, the Fox Sports app is like hitting a home run. You can catch live games from the big leagues—NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, you name it. Plus, they throw in a bunch of exclusive stuff like smart analyses, cool interviews, and a backstage pass to the sports world. The Fox Sports app is free to download, but to have access to live games, highlights, or news you must have a Pay TV subscription.  

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Dofu Live

Dofu Live

Video streaming apps

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Dofu Live
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Dofu Live

Now, if you’re on the hunt for a ton of sports channels and a boatload of games from every corner of the planet, Dofu Live has got your back. And the best thing? The app is streaming games for free. It’s a solid pick for streaming, bringing you soccer, basketball, tennis, and a bunch of other sports. And with live scores, highlights, and the latest sports news, you’re definitely going to stay in the game. There’s no subscription or app-purchases needed. App may contain ads.  

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ESPN App

ESPN App

Video streaming apps

4.4

ESPN App
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ESPN

ESPN is basically the king of sports broadcasting. It’s known all around the world and gives fans a front-row seat to all kinds of live sports—think basketball, baseball, football, and a whole lot more. The app’s super user-friendly and they’ve got everything covered, so you’ll always be in the know when it comes to your favorite teams and athletes. An ESPN+ subscription is required to watch all content.  

Why is Live Sports Streaming suddenly so popular?

The booming popularity of live sports streaming isn't that strange. With high-speed internet it allows you to stream games smoothly, without having to buffer every other minute (remember those days?). 

Thereby, the world of live sports streaming platforms also can come for free, compared to  cable and satellite TV subscriptions. It's no wonder these platforms are becoming the go-to choice for a growing number of viewers. 

Free alternatives to watch live sports games

Streaming apps are definitely a good choice when it comes to catching sports on the go, but let’s not forget there are loads of other ways to get in on the action. Especially if you’re a bit of a sports buff looking to explore all your options. Social media, for example, has kind of turned into this unexpected goldmine for live sports. You’ve got leagues and teams going live, dropping major highlights and updates right on their official Facebook, X and YouTube accounts. Just hit that follow button and bam—you’re right there in the middle of everything and it doesn’t even cost a dime. 

Plus, there’s a whole bunch of websites out there collecting live sports streaming links from all over the place, serving up a variety of games straight to your screen. Now, I got to say, it might not be as smooth and reliable as those apps, but it’s a total game-changer when the match you’re dying to watch isn’t on any app or when you can't access your usual streaming services. So, even though you might have to do a bit of extra clicking and searching, these options make sure you never miss out on the action. 

Conclusion

The way we watch sports has drastically changed recently, thanks to better internet and great apps. Popular mobile apps like ESPN, Dofu Live and Fox Sports offer a smooth viewing experience, but there are also free alternatives. Social media platforms and various websites provide live streams, highlights and updates, giving fans plenty of ways to stay connected without a price tag. While these options might not be as reliable as the big-name apps, they're a great solution for budget-conscious fans. 

My personal recommendation

“If you're anything like me, totally obsessed with sports and always on the hunt for the next live game, I’ve got something you might want to check out. Let me tell you, the ESPN app is a real game changer. It's been a lifesaver for me, cutting through all the cable subscription hassle. This app is packed with all sorts of sports, from the big ones like football, basketball and baseball, to even the more unique and niche sports. And the best part? It’s so easy to use. Even if you're kinda new to this whole sports streaming thing, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Trust me, you just got to grab your phone, hit download on the ESPN app and get ready to dive straight into the heart-pounding action of live sports. It’s a blast!” 

Matthew Parker

Matthew Parker

Verified Reviewer

Verified Reviewer

Matthew Parker was a middle school teacher before he started writing about his favorite time-saving hacks for studying. From sports apps to study-methods. His favorite apps are Duolingo for language learning and theScore, for keeping track of all global sports games.

Writer for since October 2023

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Matthew Parker

Matthew Parker

Verified Reviewer

Verified Reviewer

Matthew Parker was a middle school teacher before he started writing about his favorite time-saving hacks for studying. From sports apps to study-methods. His favorite apps are Duolingo for language learning and theScore, for keeping track of all global sports games.

Writer for Best of Apps since October 10, 2023

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