For sports enthusiasts looking to cut the cord without missing out on live games, highlights, and in-depth analysis, YouTube TV offers a compelling streaming solution. With over 100 channels in its base plan and a variety of sports-focused add-ons, YouTube TV provides access to a robust lineup of national and regional sports networks. Whether you’re a fan of football, basketball, soccer, or niche sports, YouTube TV delivers a flexible and user-friendly experience with features like unlimited cloud DVR, multiview capabilities, and the exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket.
This guide highlights the best sports channels available on YouTube TV in 2025, tailored for fans who want to stay connected to their favorite teams and events. Below, we explore the top channels, add-on packages, and frequently asked questions to help you decide if YouTube TV is the right choice for your sports viewing needs.
Top YouTube TV Sports Channels
National Sports Channels
YouTube TV’s base plan, priced at $82.99 per month, includes a strong selection of national sports networks that cover major leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, as well as college sports and more. Here are the standout channels:
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS: ESPN is a cornerstone for sports fans, offering live coverage of NFL, NBA, MLB, college football, basketball, and more. ESPN2 and ESPNU focus on additional live events, including college sports, while ESPNEWS provides highlights and analysis.
ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC: These broadcast networks are essential for watching major sporting events like NFL games, the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and college football bowl games. Availability depends on your local market, covering over 98% of U.S. households.
CBS Sports Network: This channel offers college sports, including football and basketball, as well as niche sports like rodeo and lacrosse.
FS1, FS2: Fox Sports 1 and 2 cover a wide range of sports, including MLB, NASCAR, college football, basketball, and soccer, with FS2 focusing on international events like rugby and Australian football.
TNT: Known for NBA games, NHL matchups, and select MLB games, TNT is a go-to for basketball and hockey fans.
NFL Network: A must for football fans, offering exclusive NFL games, NFL Total Access, and in-depth analysis.
NBA TV: Provides live NBA games, studio shows, and documentaries for basketball enthusiasts.
Golf Channel: Covers PGA Tour events, LPGA tournaments, and golf analysis.
Big Ten Network, ACC Network, SEC Network: These networks focus on college sports, offering live football, basketball, and other events from their respective conferences.
The CW: Occasionally broadcasts college sports and niche events like LIV Golf.
Regional Sports Networks
YouTube TV includes regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets, ideal for fans wanting to follow local teams. Available RSNs include:
NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, Philadelphia, Chicago, Northwest, Washington: These cover local NBA, NHL, and MLB teams, such as the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Monumental Sports Network: Focuses on Washington, D.C.-area teams like the Wizards and Capitals.
SNY (SportsNet New York): Covers New York Mets baseball and other regional sports.
Note that YouTube TV lacks some RSNs like Bally Sports, YES Network, and Marquee Sports Network, which may limit coverage for fans of certain MLB, NBA, or NHL teams.
Sports Plus Add-On
For $10.99 per month, the Sports Plus add-on enhances the base plan with 13 additional channels, catering to fans of niche and international sports:
NFL RedZone: A fan favorite, delivering live coverage of every touchdown from Sunday NFL games, perfect for fantasy football players.
beIN SPORTS: Focuses on international soccer, including La Liga, Ligue 1, and Copa Libertadores.
FOX Soccer Plus: Offers additional soccer coverage, including UEFA Champions League and international matches.
FanDuel TV: Provides horse racing, sports betting analysis, and lifestyle content.
Tennis Channel: Covers ATP and WTA tournaments, ideal for tennis fans (not included in the base plan).
Other Niche Channels: Includes Billard TV, GolTV, MavTV, Players TV, Stadium, VSN, TVG, PokerGo+, and SportsGrid, offering everything from motorsports to poker and college sports.
NFL Sunday Ticket
YouTube TV is the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, allowing fans to watch out-of-market NFL games. Priced at approximately $276 for the season (or $34.50/month for eight months for new users), it’s a premium add-on for die-hard football fans. NFL Sunday Ticket excludes digital-only games but complements the base plan’s local and national NFL coverage.
4K Plus Package
For $9.99 per month (with a 30-day free trial for new users), the 4K Plus package offers select sports content in upscaled 4K, including NBC, ESPN, and Golf Channel events like Premier League soccer, college football, and PGA Tour events. It also provides unlimited simultaneous streams at home and offline viewing for recordings.
Why YouTube TV for Sports Fans?
YouTube TV stands out for its intuitive interface, unlimited cloud DVR, and multiview feature, which lets you watch up to four sports channels simultaneously. The service is ideal for households with multiple viewers, supporting six accounts and three simultaneous streams. However, it lacks certain channels like MLB Network, NHL Network, and Tennis Channel (outside the Sports Plus add-on), which may be a drawback for some fans. Compared to competitors like Fubo (which offers more sports channels but at a higher cost) or DIRECTV STREAM (with broader RSN coverage), YouTube TV strikes a balance between affordability and variety.
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FAQs
What sports can I watch on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV covers major sports like football (NFL, college), basketball (NBA, college), baseball (MLB), hockey (NHL), soccer, golf, and tennis, plus niche sports like motorsports and poker via add-ons. Local and regional coverage depends on your location.
Does YouTube TV include NFL Sunday Ticket?
NFL Sunday Ticket is an optional add-on, not included in the base plan. It costs around $276 for the season or $34.50/month for new users, offering out-of-market NFL games.
Can I watch local sports teams on YouTube TV?
Yes, YouTube TV offers local channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) and select RSNs like NBC Sports networks and SNY in certain markets. However, it lacks some RSNs like Bally Sports and YES Network.
Is the Sports Plus add-on worth it?
The Sports Plus add-on ($10.99/month) is valuable for fans of NFL RedZone, international soccer, or tennis. If you primarily watch major sports on ESPN, FOX, or CBS, the base plan may suffice.
Can I watch sports in 4K on YouTube TV?
Yes, with the 4K Plus add-on ($9.99/month), you can watch select sports events on NBC, ESPN, and Golf Channel in upscaled 4K, depending on your device and internet speed.
How does YouTube TV compare to other streaming services for sports?
YouTube TV offers a strong balance of price, channels, and features. Fubo has more sports channels (including MLB Network and NHL Network) but is pricier. DIRECTV STREAM provides broader RSN coverage but at a higher cost. ESPN+ is cheaper but focuses on on-demand content and select live events.
Can I record sports games on YouTube TV?
Yes, YouTube TV’s unlimited cloud DVR lets you record games and watch them later, with recordings stored for up to nine months.
Are there any free trials for YouTube TV?
YouTube TV offers free trials ranging from 2 to 21 days, depending on the promotion. Check the YouTube TV website for current offers.