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Cutting cable is easy — until you realize the game is on and you’re not sure your new service even carries it. Sports are the single biggest reason people stay stuck on a $130 cable bill. The good news: you can keep ESPN, NFL Network, your regional games, and your local broadcasts for less, if you pick the right service. Here’s how the options actually stack up for sports fans in 2026.

What sports fans actually need

Before you compare prices, know what you’re looking for:

• ESPN and ESPN2 — the backbone of national sports.
• Your local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX stations — these carry a huge share of live games (NFL, college football, primetime).
• NFL Network — for Thursday games and year-round coverage.
• Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) — the hardest part. These carry your local MLB, NBA, and NHL teams, and availability depends entirely on your ZIP code.

If a service is missing your locals or your RSN, it doesn’t matter how cheap it is.

The best options, ranked

Fubo — Built for sports. It carries ESPN, your locals in most markets, NFL Network, and the widest RSN coverage of the mainstream services. At around $84.99/month it isn’t cheap, but for a serious fan it’s usually the most complete single subscription.

YouTube TV — Around $82.99/month, with ESPN, NFL Network, and locals nationwide. RSN coverage has narrowed over the years, so check your teams. A superb all-rounder if you also want strong non-sports channels.

DirecTV Stream — Around $86.99/month and often the strongest for RSNs, which makes it the go-to for local MLB/NBA/NHL fans in the right markets.

Sling Orange — The budget pick at about $45.99/month. You get ESPN and ESPN2, but no local ABC/CBS and limited RSNs, so you’ll miss some games. Great as a cheap ESPN add-on, not a full replacement.

The verdict

For most sports fans, Fubo is the safest all-in-one — it covers the widest slate including RSNs and locals. If you also care about non-sports channels, YouTube TV is the better lifestyle-plus-sports blend. On a tight budget, Sling Orange gets you ESPN for nearly half the price, as long as you can live without some local games (an antenna covers those for free).

The one thing to do first: check your regional sports network and local channels for your ZIP before you commit — that’s where “great deal” turns into “missing my team.”

Not sure which one carries your teams? Use the free Streampool Finder — pick your channels and it ranks every service by what it actually carries for your area.

FAQ

Can I watch NFL games without cable? Yes. Most Sunday games are on your local FOX and CBS stations (included with YouTube TV, Hulu + Live, DirecTV, and Fubo, or free with an antenna), ESPN carries Monday night, and NFL Network carries Thursday games.

What’s the cheapest way to get ESPN? Sling Orange at about $45.99/month is the cheapest bundle with ESPN and ESPN2. A standalone ESPN subscription is another route if you only want ESPN’s own content.

Why can’t I find my local team’s games? They’re likely on a Regional Sports Network, which varies by ZIP. DirecTV Stream and Fubo tend to have the broadest RSN coverage — but always verify for your exact location.