Best cord-cutting sports streaming apps in August 2025

Business Insider

a day ago

It's no secret that you no longer need cable to enjoy sports. In fact, many of the best streaming services have snapped up exclusive rights to select games. However, you also don't need every streaming service every month. That's why we've rounded up the five best cord-cutting sports streaming apps in August 2025.
You don't need all of these, but these are the five apps that we've deemed most essential this month, especially when it comes to streaming marquee events like the NFL preseason, WNBA regular season, US Open, Vuelta a España, UFC, and much more. Keep reading to learn the five best options right now, and a few of our other favorites.
The 5 best cord-cutting sports streaming apps in August 2025
DirecTV MySports was only introduced this year as a part of the streaming giant's foray into genre packs (cheaper and more focused channel selections), but it has already become one of the best sports streaming services on the market. At $70 a month, the streamer offers 20+ key sports channels in its lineup, including ESPN, TNT, FS1/2, and more.
It also hosts national college sports channels (the SEC Network, ACC Network, etc.) and local broadcast channels (like FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS) — where regionally available. Most notably, DirecTV MySports includes access to ESPN Plus, so you'll get it at no extra cost. Subscriptions allow a five-day free trial for new users.
Until the new ESPN streaming service launches in the fall, the absolute cheapest way to live stream the network is through Sling TV 's Orange plan. At $46 a month, it's one of the most affordable live TV streaming services sports fans can buy.
Both of Sling's base plans (Sling Orange and Sling Blue) have multiple sports networks in their lineups, but ESPN makes Sling Orange a must-have for devotees. Sling Orange includes access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPN4K, TNT, and 29 other live channels. This is one of the few services that offers ESPN3 directly in its TV guide; others require you to log into the ESPN website with your provider credentials to watch. New users can get 50% off their first month of service.
Fubo excels in two areas: the sheer volume of available networks and its lineups of international sports channels. Fubo Pro costs $85 a month and unlocks 150+ live channels (although we've found that it usually offers at least 200). New users can get $20 off their first month of service and a five-day free trial.
The Pro lineup offers channels like ESPN, FS1, the NFL Network, and networks with an international sports angle. The local channel coverage is robust and available around the US. However, all Fubo plans are missing Warner Bros. channels like TNT and TBS, so that's something to keep in mind if you're looking for a comprehensive service.
While you'll need something like Sling TV to get a direct live stream of the ESPN network (for now), ESPN Plus offers select game and event coverage from ABC and other ESPN properties. WNBA, NFL, and NBA games pop up on the streamer throughout their respective seasons. There's also robust NHL and college basketball coverage, in addition to select golf and tennis events.
ESPN Plus will carry the US Open, the final tennis Grand Slam of the year, which kicks off on August 25. While select coverage (including top-ranked players and late stages) will be available on ESPN's broadcast counterparts, this is the absolute best way to ensure you can watch every match and court. The streamer is also the only way to watch UFC events, which often require an additional pay-per-view (PPV) purchase. The app costs $12 a month or $120 a year.
Peacock is NBC's streaming counterpart, and fans can live stream the network 24/7 through the Peacock Premium Plus tier, which costs $17 a month after a recent price hike. This plan also unlocks ad-free on-demand streaming.
However, we also think there's lots to love in the Premium ($11 a month) ad-supported tier, which offers select sports live streaming on events like Vuelta a España, starting August 23. Throughout the year, the app also carries select live golf and cycling coverage in all tiers, in addition to WWE and college sports. Sunday Night Football games are also available through Premium, and Peacock will even carry an exclusive holiday game not available on NBC this year. Plus, NBC (and therefore Peacock) will host the 2026 Super Bowl in February.
Other sports streaming services we like
These are five of the best streaming services for August 2025, but they're not the only streamers we recommend for sports. Apple TV Plus, Paramount Plus, DAZN, HBO Max, and Prime Video are some of our other favorites.
Apple TV Plus ($10 a month) offers Friday Night Baseball coverage and select matches from this month's Leagues Cup (or you can subscribe to the MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV app for even more soccer). Paramount Plus (from $8 a month) has CBS live streams through its Premium tier, in addition to European soccer matches (including the Champions League) and NFL games across all plans when the leagues are in season.
DAZN (from $20-$30 a month) is a must-have for boxing and FIFA fans, while Prime Video offers select exclusive programming on Thursdays for both the WNBA and NFL. HBO Max (from $17 a month) is the streaming counterpart for pretty much all Warner Bros.-owned sports-centric channels, including TNT and TBS, so NBA, MLB, NHL, Unrivaled, and French Open fans will find lots to love there.
Additionally, if you're traveling away from home and hoping to keep up with your usual streaming services, a VPN (virtual private network) will be able to help you out. These cybersecurity tools let people change their virtual locations so that their usual websites and apps work from anywhere, all while upgrading online security. NordVPN is our top recommendation right now, since it's beginner-friendly and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.