It’s no secret that football broadcast rights in the US are split across a whole lineup of services — and it’s not always clear which one is the official home of the match you want to watch. For serious fans, that often means juggling two or three subscriptions at once, which adds up fast — especially if you only tune in for a handful of games each season. Then there’s the solo-watching problem: you’re home with the game on, and there’s no one beside you to share the screamers and the bloopers with. So here’s the guide I put together: which platforms carry this year’s biggest competitions, what they cost, and where to find a genuine community of fellow fans to watch and talk about the game with.
US broadcast rights change from season to season, so the lineup below reflects the official picture for the 2026–27 season. Each entry covers what makes the service stand out, its key features, and the fan it fits best.
1. fuboTV: The Sports-First Streaming Giant
What sets it apart: fuboTV started as a soccer-first streamer and grew into one of the largest live TV platforms in the US. In October 2025 it completed a combination with Disney’s Hulu + Live TV business, creating a company with roughly six million subscribers across North America. It remains the most sports-forward channel bundle you can buy.
Key Features:
- Premier League matches via NBC (USA Network is not currently carried on fuboTV following the June 2026 NBCUniversal settlement), Ligue 1 through beIN Sports, and many more leagues across its channel lineup
- Cloud DVR with generous storage and multi-screen viewing
- 4K streaming for select events
- Works on phones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming sticks
- Pro plan from $88.99 a month as of September 2026 (subject to change)
Note: fuboTV is a channel bundle, not a league-rights holder. Matches that are exclusive to Peacock, Paramount+, or ESPN+ are not included in any fuboTV plan.
Perfect for: Fans who want one bundle with a lot of sports channels, families with mixed interests, and anyone who values a big DVR. If you follow several leagues and don’t mind combining services, fuboTV is a strong base — but expect to add one or two streaming apps on top for full coverage.
2. ESPN+: The La Liga and FA Cup Pick
ESPN+ — now sold as ESPN Select — is the licensed home of every La Liga match in the US: all 380 per season, in English and Spanish, plus the FA Cup and a wide range of other sports.
Key Features:
- All 380 La Liga matches each season, in English and Spanish
- FA Cup coverage, including the final
- Bundle options with Disney+ and Hulu
- A large on-demand library beyond soccer
- From $13.99 a month as of September 2026 (ESPN Select)
Note: Bundesliga moved off ESPN+ from the 2026–27 season. USA Network and the free Fandango service now hold the English-language rights, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo and Peacock.
Perfect for: La Liga followers, FA Cup fans, and budget-minded viewers who want reliable European football without a big bill.
3. Peacock: The Premier League Headquarters
What sets it apart: Peacock is the streaming home of the Premier League in the US. NBCUniversal holds the rights to all 380 matches, and Peacock carries the exclusive streams plus NBC simulcasts, replays, and highlights.
Key Features:
- Live Premier League exclusives plus NBC simulcasts every match week
- Replays, extended highlights, and a dedicated Premier League hub
- Spanish-language Bundesliga and Serie A via the Telemundo channels on the platform
- A solid on-demand library beyond sports
- $12.99 a month (Premium) as of September 2026
Perfect for: Anyone who follows the Premier League. No other single service gives you this much EPL action.
4. Paramount+: Champions League Central
What sets it apart: Paramount+ is the exclusive English-language home of the UEFA Champions League in the US — every match, from group stage to the final. It is also the home of every Serie A match in English and Italian.
Key Features:
- All Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League matches in English
- All 380 Serie A matches each season
- The Golazo Show with live whip-around coverage
- Replays available shortly after the final whistle
- From $8.99 a month (Essential) as of September 2026; Premium is $13.99
Note: Spanish-language Champions League coverage in the US is on TUDN and DAZN; Paramount+ remains the English-language home.
Perfect for: Fans who treat the Champions League as must-watch, plus Serie A supporters who want everything in one app.
5. Sling TV: Build Your Own Package
What sets it apart: Sling TV lets you pick a base package instead of paying for channels you never watch — the closest thing to a pay-as-you-go live TV bundle.
Key Features:
- Blue package includes USA Network (Premier League) and FS1
- Orange package includes ESPN channels (MLS and select competitions)
- beIN Sports available as an add-on for Ligue 1
- Straightforward interface and a low entry price — Blue starts at about $46 a month
Perfect for: Budget cord-cutters who follow specific competitions and don’t need wall-to-wall sports coverage.
6. YouTube TV: The Complete Package
What sets it apart: YouTube TV is the closest thing to cable without the contract, with a polished interface and one of the best DVR setups in streaming.
Key Features:
- Major sports networks, including NBC and USA Network
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Multiview, so you can watch up to four channels at once
- $83 a month standard; a $65 sports-focused plan is also offered
Note: YouTube TV does not include Peacock-exclusive Premier League matches, so serious EPL fans should budget for Peacock as well.
Perfect for: Households that want a complete channel lineup, families, and fans who record a lot of games.
7. DAZN: Combat Sports With a Champions League Bonus
What sets it apart: DAZN is best known for boxing and MMA, but in the US it also carries Spanish-language Champions League matches — the top three picks each match week — through a rights deal covering the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons.
Key Features:
- A full slate of boxing and MMA events year-round
- Spanish-language Champions League coverage, including marquee teams
- On-demand replays of fights and matches
- $19.99 a month or $224.99 a year as of September 2026
Note: Older guides said DAZN’s US soccer lineup was Japanese league matches. J-League rights actually sit with DAZN Japan — DAZN’s US soccer offering is Champions League in Spanish.
Perfect for: Fans who already follow combat sports and want Champions League action in Spanish without a second subscription.
8. BIGO LIVE: The Social Viewing Experience
What sets it apart: BIGO LIVE takes a different route: it is a social live-streaming platform, not a licensed broadcaster. Users host live streams — sometimes football — and viewers watch together with real-time chat. It is free, and it brings a community feel that licensed services do not offer.
Key Features:
- Free to download and use on iOS and Android
- Real-time chat, reactions, and virtual gifts
- A mobile-first experience for watching on the go
- User-generated content: matches you see come from users’ own broadcasts, and availability varies
Note: BIGO LIVE is not a licensed football broadcaster and is not a substitute for official services. Treat it as a social companion or a way to catch casual content — for reliable, legal match coverage, stick with the licensed apps in this list.
Perfect for: Viewers who enjoy watching with a crowd and want a free, social space to talk about the game.
Experience Social Football Viewing
Join 700 million users worldwide and discover a new way to watch football with real-time interaction and global community engagement. BIGO LIVE is free to download on iOS and Android.
BIGO LIVEQuick Comparison: Finding Your Match
Choosing between these platforms is easier when you compare them side by side. The table breaks down the essentials to help you decide based on your priorities and budget. Prices are published US rates as of September 2026 and can change.
|
Platform |
Monthly Cost |
Primary Leagues |
Best Feature |
Ideal User |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
fuboTV |
from $88.99 |
Premier League (via NBC; USA Network not currently carried), Ligue 1 (via beIN), more |
Broad channel lineup plus DVR |
Multi-sport households |
|
ESPN+ |
from $13.99 |
La Liga, FA Cup |
All 380 La Liga matches |
La Liga & FA Cup fans |
|
Peacock |
$12.99 |
Premier League (+ Bundesliga and Serie A in Spanish) |
EPL exclusives |
Premier League fans |
|
Paramount+ |
from $8.99 |
Champions League, Serie A |
Every UCL match in English |
UCL & Serie A fans |
|
Sling TV |
from about $46 |
Premier League (via USA Network), MLS (via ESPN) |
Low entry price |
Budget cord-cutters |
|
YouTube TV |
$83 ($65 sports plan) |
All major sports networks |
Unlimited DVR plus multiview |
All-around fans |
|
DAZN |
$19.99 (or $224.99/yr) |
Champions League (Spanish), boxing/MMA |
Combat sports plus soccer |
Boxing/MMA fans |
|
BIGO LIVE |
Free |
User-generated (not licensed) |
Social community |
Community-focused viewers |
Prices are US list prices as of September 2026 and can change. ESPN+ is now sold as ESPN Select; ESPN+ and Paramount+ are frequently bundled with other services at a combined price, so check each provider for current offers.
League-Specific Recommendations
- La Liga & FA Cup: ESPN+ is the home of every La Liga match and the FA Cup in English.
- Premier League: Peacock, plus USA Network via YouTube TV or Sling Blue for the matches that air on cable (fuboTV does not currently carry USA Network).
- Champions League: Paramount+ in English; TUDN or DAZN in Spanish.
- Serie A: Paramount+ in English and Italian; Telemundo and Peacock in Spanish.
- Ligue 1: beIN Sports, available through Sling, fuboTV, or Fanatiz.
- Bundesliga: USA Network and Fandango (free) in English; Telemundo and Peacock in Spanish.
- Multi-league: fuboTV or YouTube TV as a base, plus the specific league apps for exclusive matches.
- Casual/social: BIGO LIVE for a free, social way to watch with other fans — as a companion, not a licensed source.
Maximizing Your Streaming Experience
Getting the most from your chosen platform takes more than signing up. These practical tips will help you get a reliable picture on game day.
Beyond Traditional Streaming
The licensed platforms above are the reliable core, but a few other routes are worth knowing about depending on your situation.
Final Thoughts: Your Perfect Match Awaits
US football fans have more legal ways to watch than ever. The trade-off is that coverage is split: Peacock for the Premier League, Paramount+ for the Champions League, ESPN+ for La Liga and the FA Cup, and so on. Most fans end up combining two or three services — and that is normal. Start with the league you care about most, use free trials to test quality, and add services only when you actually need them.
And when you want a free, social space to watch and talk with other fans, BIGO LIVE is there as a companion. The game is on — pick your apps and enjoy.
Quick Decision Guide
- Best overall value: Peacock for the Premier League; ESPN+ for La Liga and the FA Cup.
- Broadest coverage: fuboTV, for the widest channel lineup under one subscription.
- Best user experience: YouTube TV, for the most polished interface and unlimited DVR.
- League-specific champions: Peacock (EPL), Paramount+ (Champions League and Serie A).
- Most flexible: Sling TV, for the lowest entry price.
- Most social: BIGO LIVE — a free community experience, not a licensed broadcaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to stream football on these apps?
Yes — every service in this guide that advertises a league is a licensed rights holder in the US: Peacock for the Premier League, Paramount+ for the Champions League and Serie A, ESPN+ for La Liga and the FA Cup, and so on. The one exception is BIGO LIVE, which is a social live-streaming platform rather than a licensed broadcaster.
What is the cheapest way to watch football in the US?
It depends on the league. ESPN+ (now ESPN Select) covers all of La Liga and the FA Cup from $13.99 a month as of September 2026. For free and legal options: most Bundesliga matches stream free in English on Fandango, CBS Sports Golazo Network is free, beIN Sports XTRA on Tubi carries selected Ligue 1 games, and some NBC and ABC matches air free over the air.
Which app shows the Premier League in the US?
Peacock is the streaming home — all 380 matches each season, with exclusive streams plus NBC simulcasts. For the matches that air on cable, USA Network via YouTube TV or Sling Blue covers them (fuboTV does not currently carry USA Network).
Where can I watch the Champions League in English?
Paramount+ carries every Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League match in English, from the group stage to the final. Spanish-language coverage is on TUDN and DAZN.
Do I need more than one subscription?
For full coverage, most fans combine two or three services — no single US app carries every major league. A typical setup pairs a league-specific app (Peacock, Paramount+, or ESPN+) with a channel bundle such as fuboTV, YouTube TV, or Sling.
Is BIGO LIVE a legal way to watch football?
BIGO LIVE is a social live-streaming platform, not a licensed football broadcaster. Football content there comes from users’ own broadcasts and availability varies, so treat it as a companion for community viewing rather than a substitute for official services.
BIGO LIVE