College football season is a fun time of the year. You get to follow your favorite team and see student athletes leave it all on the field.
Luckily, you don’t need an expensive contract to catch the action. There are many ways to watch college football without cable.
We’ve tried multiple platforms and found that you can watch your favorite team while saving money. This post shares the top video streaming services you can use to avoid missing any games.
Table of Contents
Channels Needed to Stream College Football Games
Before choosing the best way to watch live college football games, it’s essential to know which channels carry the action.
Here are the channels you need to get live football games:
- ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC
- ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNU
- Fox Sports 1 (FS1), Fox Sports 2 (FS2)
- ACC Network
- Big Ten Network (BTN)
- Pac-12 Network
- SEC Network
- The Longhorn Network (LHN)
An over-the-air antenna helps you get games in your local TV market. Most live TV streaming services carry many, if not all, of the conference networks and other sports channels.
The best live streaming service to watch college football without cable is fuboTV since they have most of the networks. However, there are other reliable choices as well.
Which Streaming Services Carry College Football Games?
The average cable bill is currently over $200. Fortunately, there’s no need to pay that much to watch your favorite college team.
Here are the best streaming services for college football fans.
| Service | Price | Trial Length | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuboTV | $70+ | 7 days | Free Trial |
| Sling TV | $35+ | 3 days | Free Trial |
| Hulu Live | $70+ | 7 days | Free Trial |
| Vidgo | $55 | N/A | Try Now |
| YouTube TV | $65+ | 7 days | Free Trial |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $70+ | 5 days | Try Now |
| ESPN+ | $5.99 | N/A | Try Now |
| Paramount+ | $4.99+ | 7 days | Free Trial |
| Antenna | Varies | N/A | Buy Now |
| College Sports Live | $9.99 | N/A | Free Trial |
1. fuboTV
FuboTV is the best choice to get live college football without cable. The streaming service has over 100 channels in its base package, called Pro, which costs $69.99 per month.
Fubo is an excellent choice because it has all the local channels. The Pro package also includes the full suite of ESPN channels, FS1, FS2, and the BTN.
You can get the ACC, Pac-12 (including all regional options), and SEC networks. Keep in mind that this requires the “Sports Plus” add-on for an additional $10.99 monthly.
*Related: Do you want to break free of cable but don’t know where to start? Sign up for our course to learn the steps you need to cancel cable and save $100+ per month.*
If you like niche sports, fuboTV is worth considering since it offers various add-on packages to get access to live sports like biking and tennis.
Its cloud-based DVR lets you record 1,000 hours of content.
Read our review of the fuboTV streaming service to learn more.
Cost: $69.99+
Channels included: ESPN family of channels, Fox Sports, BTN, and locals in some locations. ACC, Pac-12, and SEC networks require the “Sports Plus” add-on.
Free trial: 7 days
2. Sling TV
If you’re price-conscious, Sling TV is an excellent way to watch your favorite college football team. Sling has two base packages, including Orange and Blue. Each one costs $35 per month.
The difference between the two lies in what each offers. Orange carries ESPN networks, and Blue has FS1.
If you want access to both, you can choose the combined Blue + Orange for $50 per month.
Sling offers Fox and NBC in the Blue package in select markets, but not CBS or ABC.
*Related: Read our guide on how to stream ABC without a contract to learn the best options to get your favorite network shows.
The provider does offer the ACC, Pac-12, and SEC networks as well as LHN. It’s important to note that you must purchase their sports add-on for an additional $11 a month to receive these.
A drawback to Sling TV is the DVR. The base DVR includes just 50 hours per month. You can upgrade to 200 hours for an additional $5 per month.
Orange lets you stream on one device, while Blue offers three simultaneous streams. The combined offering enables you to stream on four devices at once.
Read our review of the Sling TV channels here to learn more.
Cost: $35 for either Orange or Blue, or $50 for the combination
Channels included: ESPN family of channels, Fox Sports, Fox, and NBC in some locations. ACC, Pac-12, SEC, and LHN when you purchase the sports add-on.
Free trial: 3 days
3. Hulu with Live TV
Hulu with Live TV is a legitimate way to watch college football without cable.
For $69.99 per month, you receive nearly 80 channels. It carries the full suite of ESPN channels, FS1, FS2, and the ACC, BTN, and SEC networks. You also get other local and live sports channels.
Hulu Live includes an unlimited DVR. The service also lets you stream on two devices at once.
If you want to increase streams, you can add the unlimited feature for $10 a month.
Read our review of the Hulu Live channels here to learn more.
Cost: $69.99 per month
Channels included: locals, ESPN family of channels, FS1, FS2, ACC Network, BTN, SEC
Free trial: N/A
4. Vidgo
Vidgo is a newer streaming service. Age aside, it’s a suitable choice if you want to stream college football games live.
Vidgo is cheaper than other platforms, with the base package costing $55 per month. This gives you access to all of the ESPN Networks, Fox Sports, ACC Network, the Pac-12 Network, LHN, SEC, and the BTN.
Although choosing Vidgo’s other package will increase the number of channels available to you to 112+, it comes at a cost. The “Premium” package is $79.95 per month. However, you do gain more sports and local shows.
You can try the service free for the first seven days to see if you like it.
There are two drawbacks to Vidgo. You only receive ABC and Fox, and there is no DVR.
*Missing out on your local channels? Read our guide on how to stream FOX here to learn how to get your local station.
If you purchase an antenna, this will take care of local channels. However, not having a DVR may be an issue for you.
Read our Vidgo TV review here to learn more.
Cost: $55 – $79.95
Channels included: ESPN family of networks, FS1, FS2, ABC (select locations), Fox (select locations), ACC, BTN, Pac-12, SEC, and LHN
Free trial: 7 days
5. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a terrific option to watch college sports. The streaming service offers the full suite of ESPN channels plus all the Fox Sports offerings.
It also streams the ACC, BTN, and SEC networks.
YouTube TV even carries all local networks and has an unlimited DVR that lets you keep content for nine months. This is perfect for the fan who wants to watch college football online and record a lot of games.
Cost is the one significant drawback to YouTube TV. It has one package that recently increased to $65 a month.
The service has a lot going for it, but the cost is a detractor since you can get much of the same with Hulu Live or fuboTV.
Read our review of YouTube TV here to learn more.
Cost: $65 per month
Channels included: ESPN and Fox Sports family of networks, ACC, BTN, SEC networks, and all local channels
Free trial: 7 days
6. DIRECTV STREAM
Formerly known as AT&T TV, DIRECTV STREAM is another option to watch college football games without a cable provider. The platform has four packages to choose from, starting at $70 for 65 channels.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to spend even more since the higher-end packages cost up to $150 per month.
If you want more than ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1, you must choose the “Choice” package that costs $85 per month. Fortunately, this also includes a three months subscription to HBO Max.
As a part of the “Choice” package, you get the ACC, BTN, and SEC networks. You also receive ESPN News and ESPNU.
Additionally, this provides regional sports networks, which are currently only available through DIRECTV STREAM.
Another drawback to DIRECTV STREAM is that locals are only available in some locations but do not include ABC. Worse yet, DVR recordings expire after 90 days.
The pricing of the packages means DIRECTV STREAM isn’t the best option to watch college football without cable. Most people will be better served by considering Hulu, fuboTV, or Sling TV.
Read our review of DIRECTV STREAM here to learn more.
Cost: $69.99+
Channels included: ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1
Free trial: N/A
7. ESPN+
ESPN+ offers an interesting way to watch college football without a TV provider for just $6.99 per month. If you sign up for a year, it’s discounted to $69.99.
While the app is not a replacement for ESPN, it is a standalone service that provides live and on-demand content.
The platform shows games from lesser-known conferences. During the 2019 season, the service aired games from several Power 5 schools, including Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Syracuse.
They also carry a lot of Division II college football games
Think of the app as similar to what is typically available for streaming on ESPN3.
In addition to games, ESPN+ has loads of content from other collegiate sports and niche sports. It also has a wealth of on-demand content, including the popular series 30 for 30.
Read our review of ESPN+ here to learn more.
Cost: $6.99 per month
Channels included: N/A
Free trial: N/A
8. Paramount+
Paramount+, formerly known as CBS All Access, is a standalone service for fans of the network.
With the service, you can watch content from CBS on-demand and live stream shows. This includes college football games airing on the network.
Keep in mind that you must upgrade to the $9.99 per month option to get local channels. This also provides you access to the CBS Sports Network.
*Related: Love sports and want to cut the cord? Check out our guide on how to watch ESPN without cable and save $50+ per month!*
The service is good for people who may not want to deal with an antenna or solely want locally-aired games.
It costs just $4.99 per month and offers access to other CBS-owned networks like Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and the Smithsonian Channel.
If you prefer a commercial-free experience, you can opt for their $9.99 monthly option that eliminates commercials for on-demand content. Read our review of the service here to learn more.
Cost: $4.99 – $9.99 per month
Channels included: N/A
Free trial: 7 days
9. Antenna
If you want to know how to watch college football games for free, an antenna is your only real choice.
An antenna is the cheapest way to get football games or any network show. After an inexpensive one-time cost, you get all local content in HD for free.
Some of the best antennas on Amazon to consider if you want to cut the cord include 1byone, Wsky, and Antennas Direct.
If you simply want to watch games broadcast in your area, an antenna is a terrific solution.
Cost: Varies, one-time cost
Channels included: local networks
Free trial: N/A
10. College Sports Live
The final way to watch college football networks without a satellite TV provider is College Sports Live.
The budget streaming service airs football games as well as other college sporting events from select schools.
Like ESPN+, College Sports Live is best for smaller conferences. However, the app does have agreements with schools like Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, and USC to air games.
College Sports Live is an affordable $9.99 per month.
*Related: Love the NFL? Check out our guide on how to watch NFL games without cable to catch all the action without a pricey contract.*
The app lets you watch full-length games of partner schools plus other events.
Cost: $9.99 per month
Channels included: N/A
Free trial: N/A
Which Streaming Service is Best for College Football?
There is a lot to consider when choosing a live TV streaming service to watch college football without cable. The top two choices are fuboTV and Sling TV.
FuboTV is as close to a cable replacement as you can find. It has over 100 channels, a healthy DVR capacity, and many of the networks necessary to watch college football live.
Sling is another excellent choice when you pair it with an antenna. With the sports add-on, you can get many of the channels you need for a bit less than fuboTV.
FAQs
Do you have other questions about how to stream college football games without cable? Here are a few answers.
Can I watch college football for free?
A digital antenna is the only way to watch college football games for free. After an affordable one-time cost, you can watch any game broadcast on your local networks.
If you do an internet search on how to watch football games for free, you will find sites that promise the ability to do so. Those sites are often full of spam or aren’t legal.
The best way to watch games without a contract is through a streaming service like fuboTV or Sling TV.
Can I watch live college football on Amazon Prime?
While the NFL simulcasts some Thursday Night Football games, there is no similar arrangement for college action.
Some of the services on this list work on Amazon Prime, but there is no way to watch games directly on Amazon Prime.
Do any of the above options require a contract?
None of the above services require a contract. Cable replacement services offer the benefit of getting cable channels without getting stuck in a contract unnecessarily.
The best way to save money is to pick a service right before the season, then cancel once it’s over. You can do this each season to ensure you only pay for it while you need it.
Can I stream local channels on streaming services?
Not all streaming services offer local channels. Local channels and sports networks are among the most expensive to offer, and each market is different.
If you want a streaming provider that carries local channels, fuboTV and YouTube TV are your best options. Most no-contract services tell you on their website if they carry the local networks in your area.
If you don’t want cable channels, a digital antenna is a good solution.
Summary
Thanks to growth in the streaming space, it’s not difficult to watch college football games without cable. There’s no longer a need to stay in an expensive contract to watch your favorite teams.
You can pick the platform you like best, use it for the season, and cancel when the season is over to maximize savings while catching all the action.
How do you watch sports without cable? What streaming services have you tried and liked?
