Mark Cuban is best known for turning around the fortunes of the Dallas Mavericks from worst to first, after he bought the team in 2000. After selling his majority stake in 2023 to Miriam Adelson, Cuban announced Thursday his return to a big play in the sports industry: a $750 million private equity fund looking at…
Summer in the United States is practically synonymous with backyard barbecues, fishing at the lake — and baseball. Definitely baseball. While Major League stadiums deliver major league talent and electrifying pennant races, seats can be expensive and far from the action.
Summer in the United States is practically synonymous with backyard barbecues, fishing at the lake — and baseball. Definitely baseball. While Major League stadiums deliver major league talent and electrifying pennant races, seats can be expensive and far from the action.
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An aerial view during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Major League Baseball season is finally here. The viewing situation is complicated due to the sheer number of games scheduled every day, as well as regional blackout restrictions, so we’ve broken down everything you need to know about how to watch MLB live streams.
The 2025 MLB season technically kicked off with a Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs double-header in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, but opening day will officially take place on March 27 (with a few teams slated to begin on March 28). Major league baseball games are spread across various channels in the US, including ESPN, TBS, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), FOX, the MLB Network, regional sports networks (usually through FOX, ABC, and NBC), and a few streaming services.
For those without cable, it can be tricky to figure out how to live stream MLB games without breaking the bank, but we’ve found some promising options that can get you access to most nationally broadcast games this season. Whether you’re a diehard fan of one team or just looking to catch a game tonight, we’ve got you covered when it comes to watching the MLB. Keep reading to learn about all of your streaming options, including how to access a free daily game.
Regarding national games, ESPN, TBS, FS1, FOX, and the MLB Network will be your go-to. Apple TV+ will also come into play on Friday nights. Your local FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates (and other regional sports networks) will handle nearby games, so you’ll need to check your local listings for that information.
As always, every game is subject to blackout restrictions in local areas. If you don’t have cable, this means it’s time to try a live TV streaming service to tap into the national broadcasts. It’s worth noting that Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo (three of the best sports streaming services we’ve tested) might also carry your regional sports network, depending on your area.
DirecTV Stream is the cheapest way to live stream every nationally broadcast game, thanks to the streamer’s new MySports genre pack. The special plan offers access to 25+ sports channels, including MLB Network, ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS. Subscriptions cost $70/month, but new users can get a five-day free trial. For an additional $20/month, you can also get regional sports coverage with the MyHome Team add-on, although coverage varies drastically by region, so you should see what’s available in your area before purchasing the add-on.
Sling TV also offers every channel you’ll need to watch national broadcasts. To maximize your baseball viewing options, you’ll want to get the Sling Orange and Blue combo plan, which goes for $61/month (a deal when you consider that each individual plan is $46/month). Sling Orange has ESPN, whereas Sling Blue has FS1. Both plans include TBS, and Sling Blue offers FOX and local channels in select regions. To get the MLB Network, you’ll need to get the Sports Extra add-on for $15/month. Sling typically offers about 50% off your first month of service.
Fubo is another popular sports-centric live TV streaming service. Fubo’s Elite plan carries ESPN, FOX, FS1, the MLB Network, and 200+ other live channels. However, the streaming service doesn’t offer Warner Bros. channels like TBS, so if you opt for Fubo, we suggest combining it with a subscription to Max (which we’ll dig into below). Fubo Elite subscriptions cost $95/month, but you can get $30 off your first month of service after a one-week free trial.
On Friday nights, Apple TV+ will be your go-to. The streaming service has the rights to live stream two Friday night baseball games each week. Subscriptions start at $10/month and come with a one-week free trial.
Tuesday TBS games be available to live stream through Max as part of the service’s B/R Sports add-on, which is included with the streaming service’s ad-free tiers. Ad-supported subscriptions start at $17/month.
For $30/month, MLB.TV will live stream the out-of-market MLB games. While this is a relatively pricey option considering that it’s missing some games, we’re highlighting it because it comes with a free game of the day feature. All you have to do is sign up for an account, and you’ll have access to a free game every day.
How to watch MLB from anywhere
If you want to keep up with baseball while traveling abroad, it might be time to try out a VPN (virtual private network). Virtual private networks change your electronic device’s location so you can access websites and apps that might not be available in certain areas. Plus, they’re strong ways to boost your online privacy. Since the live TV channels we highlighted require US forms of payment, this is mostly best for Americans who are overseas at the moment and looking to keep up with their existing subscriptions.
Our go-to suggestion is ExpressVPN, which is straightforward, simple for beginners, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN review to learn more.
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.
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Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs the bases after hitting a home run during the 2024 National League Championship Series.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
The MLB regular season is back and for the second straight year, the season will begin overseas in Tokyo. Last year’s World Series champions, the Dodgers, will be kicking things off with back-to-back games against the Cubs. Ready to lock in for a season of baseball? Here’s everything you need to know on how to watch Dodgers vs. Cubs in the MLB Tokyo Series.
Not only will this season open in Japan, but it will be the 25th anniversary of the first-ever MLB regular season hosted in Japan. Although the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are American heavyweight teams, they both have a selection of excellent Japanese players on their rosters. Fans in Japan will be especially excited to see the arrival of Shohei Ohtani, a 3-time MVP for the Dodgers. Coming off the back of a World Series win last year and a position as easily one of the best teams in years, the Dodgers look hard to beat. But all will be to play for as the regular season picks back up.
Whether you’re a Dodgers fan, a Cubs fanatic, or just someone looking to catch all of the MLB regular season highlights this year, we’ve got everything you need right here. Below, you’ll find viewing times, channels, and TV packages to follow the action as it happens live. And don’t worry if you find yourself out of the country and unable to catch the action; we’ve got a full guide on how to use a VPN to stay in the loop below.
The Dodgers vs. Cubs games air on FOX and FS1 in the US. The first of the two games is happening on Tuesday, March 18 at 6 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. GMT / 6 p.m. AWST on FOX. The second game will follow the next day on Wednesday, March 19 at 6 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. GMT / 6 p.m. AWST on FS1.
How to watch Dodgers vs. Cubs in the US
As mentioned above, the Dodgers vs. Cubs games will be airing on Fox and FS1. Luckily, the footage is available via multiple different TV streaming services so you get some choice in how you watch it. All of the streaming services we recommend offer DVR, so you can record the early games if you’re in the US and want to sleep in.
Sling TV is one of the cheaper ways to watch the Dodgers vs. Cubs in the US. A Sling TV Blue plan will set you back $45.99 a month but will get you full access to FOX and FS1. Sling Blue also includes 15 exclusive channels in this plan as well as 24 other channels available on all of Sling’s packages. Sling’s FOX coverage can depend on where you live, so before you make a purchase, make sure it’s available in your area.
DirecTV Stream isn’t as affordable as Sling, but it does come with a lot of channels and features. It recently introduced a range of more specific packages, including the MySports bundle for $69.99 a month (after a five-day free trial). This includes access to the MLB, F1, NBA, and more.
Fubo also has the needed channels for a Dodgers vs. Cubs stream, but it doesn’t come as cheap. Prices start at $84.99. You can get a 7-day trial when signing up.
How to watch Dodgers vs. Cubs from anywhere
A mistimed holiday could easily put you out of the country for the Dodgers vs Cubs games, or potentially a large portion of the MLB regular season. If this happens, don’t worry. You can still catch all of the action via the use of a VPN (virtual private network).
If you don’t already have one, we recommend ExpressVPN. It’s one of the best VPNs around and, as we mention in our ExpressVPN review, is truly difficult to beat on both security and streaming. A VPN, in its simplest form, is a tool for creating secure connections that encrypt your internet traffic. They change your IP address and make it appear as if you are browsing from another location. While that can be useful for security and keeping yourself anonymous online, it can also be beneficial for accessing your usual websites and apps while traveling.
Right now, you can save 61% on ExpressVPN and get up to four months free. However, if you sign up and you’re not getting enough use out of it, they also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to watch Dodgers vs. Cubs with a VPN
If you don’t already have one, you need to sign up for a VPN.
Install it onto whichever device you can plan to watch Dodgers vs. Cubs on.
Turn it on and select the United States as your location.
Navigate to your preferred streaming platform.
Watch on the live section of the website.
When does the regular season start?
The Dodgers vs. Cubs game on March 18 is technically the opener of the regular season, but the rest of the MLB teams will officially begin play on March 27 and 28. The season will then run all the way through to late September, offering up a full season of games to watch.
How to watch the MLB regular season
Of course, you won’t want to watch just this one match-up. The MLB regular season offers months of action to sink your teeth into. Our guide on how to watch MLB will be updated throughout the season so you know exactly where to head for each game as they happen. While the viewing options are likely to be similar throughout, we’ll keep you in the loop on days, times, and any TV streaming deals.
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.