The NBA season delivers nonstop drama, superstar showdowns and must-see moments, but figuring out where to stream a game can feel like a challenge of its own.
National games are divided between ABC and ESPN, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video. Most teams also have separate local broadcast agreements, while NBA League Pass covers hundreds of out-of-market games. The result is that no single subscription gives every fan access to every game.
With that in mind, this guide looks beyond the individual services and compares the best combinations for watching NBA games in 2026/27. Whether you want the cheapest access to national games, the widest possible coverage or the best setup for following one team, the right choice depends on how and where you watch.
Once you have chosen a setup, check the upcoming NBA games on Livesportsontv.com for confirmed start times, channels and streaming information.
ESPN Unlimited + Peacock + Prime Video
$51.97 per month
Best forMain gap: Most local and out-of-market regional games are not included.
National services + NBA League Pass Premium
$74.96 per month
Best forMain gap: Local blackouts still apply based on your ZIP code.
DIRECTV MySports + Peacock + Prime Video
$86.97 per month
Best forMain gap: Local NBA coverage depends on the market and package.
Local broadcaster + missing national services
Varies by team, provider and ZIP code
Start withMain warning: League Pass is not a reliable option for watching a local team live.
Already have Amazon Prime? Prime Video is included with your membership, reducing the additional cost of the national setup to $40.98 per month.
The NBA’s national coverage is divided among ESPN and ABC, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video. Local and out-of-market games work differently, which is why the best setup depends on the team you follow and where you live.
The current national media agreements began with the 2025/26 season and run through 2035/36.
No NBA streaming service carries every game for every viewer.
League Pass offers the largest number of games through one basketball-focused subscription, but it is not complete live coverage. Fans seeking the widest access will normally need to combine it with the national services, while local-team fans should begin with their team’s broadcaster.
The lowest-cost way to cover the NBA’s three main national packages is to subscribe separately to ESPN Unlimited, Peacock Premium and Prime Video.
National NBA streaming package
$51.97 per month
Already have Amazon Prime? Prime Video is included, so your additional cost for ESPN Unlimited and Peacock would be $42.98 per month.
This is the strongest value for someone who mainly wants nationally distributed games and does not need a regional sports network or NBA TV. A local service or NBA League Pass may still be required for the rest of the schedule.
NBA League Pass is the strongest option for fans who support a team outside their local television market.
It provides hundreds of live and on-demand out-of-market games, along with:
League Pass Premium also adds simultaneous streaming on up to three devices, offline viewing and in-arena coverage during commercial breaks.
You can also check which upcoming games are available on NBA League Pass before choosing a subscription.
However, League Pass alone is not enough if you want to follow every available game involving an out-of-market team. Games selected by ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock or Prime Video are blacked out live on League Pass in the United States.
The broadest setup is therefore:
The three national services currently cost a combined $51.97 per month. The NBA currently lists League Pass Premium at $24.99 per month, which would bring the total to $76.96 per month. A lower-priced standard League Pass plan may reduce that total once all 2026/27 purchasing options are available. The NBA advises that League Pass pricing varies by package and region.
This setup is best for someone who:
It will still not solve local blackouts if the team is considered local to your ZIP code.
For more detail on the available plans and blackout rules, see our full NBA League Pass guide.
Buying the three national streaming services separately is the cheapest approach for NBA-only national coverage, but it is not necessarily the most convenient.
Fans who also want NBA TV, other sports channels, a traditional live channel guide and DVR functionality may get more value from a sports-focused live TV package.
One of the strongest options is:
DIRECTV MySports has a regular price of $64.99 per month and includes more than 20 sports channels. Its lineup includes ESPN, ESPN2, NBA TV, NFL Network, NHL Network and MLB Network, along with access to ESPN Unlimited. Local ABC and NBC stations are also available in selected markets.
Adding Peacock Premium at $12.99 and standalone Prime Video at $8.99 brings the regular combined cost to $86.97 per month.
Compared with buying ESPN Unlimited, Peacock and Prime Video separately, this setup adds:
The trade-off is price. You would pay around $35 more each month than with the three-service national setup.
DIRECTV frequently advertises introductory rates, but those offers normally increase after the promotional period. Compare the normal renewal price rather than choosing a service based only on its first-month offer.
Not necessarily.
MySports is primarily a national sports package. Local broadcast channels are only available in selected markets, and regional sports networks vary by ZIP code and package.
DIRECTV’s broader CHOICE package includes access to regional sports networks where available, but its regular base price is higher and regional sports fees may apply. DIRECTV advises customers to check their ZIP code before subscribing.
The DIRECTV combination is therefore best for someone who wants a wide national sports lineup. It should not be treated as a universal solution for every local NBA team.
Local NBA coverage is the most difficult part of any service comparison because there is no one option that works across the country.
Depending on the team and location, games may be shown through:
The best approach is to start with the local team rather than the national services.
Step 1: Find the team’s local broadcaster
Check your team’s upcoming listings to identify the network or service carrying games in your area.
Do not assume that the arrangement from last season is still in place. Local NBA rights have changed frequently, and the correct option can depend on both the team and your ZIP code.
Step 2: Find the cheapest way to receive that broadcaster
The best choice may be:
Pay attention to regional sports fees, package requirements and promotional prices.
Step 3: Add national coverage only where needed
Your local service may already include ESPN, ABC or NBC. If it does, you should not automatically purchase every national option separately.
You may only need to add:
Step 4: Do not buy League Pass for live local coverage
League Pass is intended mainly for out-of-market viewing. If your favorite team is considered local to your ZIP code, its locally televised games will generally be blacked out live.
Locally blacked-out games normally become available on demand three days after the live broadcast. National games normally become available through League Pass at 6 a.m. ET the following day.
Find your NBA team on Livesportsontv.com to see upcoming games and the latest confirmed broadcast information.
DIRECTV is not the only live TV provider that can form part of an NBA setup. Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, YouTube TV and Sling may all make sense in the right circumstances.
The important question is not simply which service has the most channels. It is whether the package includes the specific combination you need.
| Provider | Useful NBA coverage | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | ESPN Unlimited, local ABC and NBC stations where available, plus a broad live channel package. | Households that also value Hulu and Disney+. | Peacock and Prime Video are still required for their exclusive games. Local-team coverage varies. |
| Fubo | ESPN Unlimited and local ABC and NBC stations where available. Regional coverage depends on the plan and market. | Sports fans who want a broader live TV package. | NBA TV, local-team availability and regional fees should be checked before subscribing. |
| YouTube TV | Broad access to national and local channels, subject to ZIP-code availability. | Viewers who prioritize a simple interface and unlimited DVR. | Peacock and Prime Video remain separate. Regional sports network coverage is limited in many markets. |
| Sling TV | Lower-cost access to ESPN and selected local channels, depending on the package and market. | Partial-season viewing, selected games or lower-cost short-term access. | ABC and NBC availability is limited, making Sling less complete as a full-season solution. |
Channel availability varies by ZIP code and package. Peacock and Prime Video may still be required even when a live TV service carries ESPN, ABC or NBC.
The cheapest setup is not always the one with the lowest advertised starting price. Before choosing a combination, check whether any of your existing subscriptions already cover part of the NBA package.
Check whether ESPN Unlimited is already included:
ESPN Unlimited is included with certain live TV packages, including DIRECTV MySports and Hulu + Live TV.
There is no reason to pay another $29.99 per month for a separate ESPN Unlimited subscription if your provider already gives you access through the ESPN app.
Check your Amazon membership:
Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime. Existing members do not need a separate Prime Video subscription to watch Amazon’s NBA games.
Compare monthly and season-long League Pass prices:
A season-long League Pass plan may work out cheaper than paying monthly for the full regular season. Monthly billing may be better if you only want the service for part of the year.
Check the renewal terms as well. Season-long and annual League Pass plans can renew automatically before the following season.
Look for eligible discounts:
The NBA currently offers a 40% League Pass monthly discount for eligible students. It also has a separate discount for verified military personnel, first responders, educators and other eligible GovX members.
Eligibility and promotion terms can change, so confirm the offer before relying on it.
Check the normal renewal price:
Live TV services frequently promote discounted introductory rates. The lower price may only apply for one or two months.
Compare the regular monthly price, required fees and any regional sports charge before making a full-season decision.
For out-of-market games, replays and basketball-specific features, the NBA app with League Pass remains one of the strongest options.
League Pass works across iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, selected smart TVs, supported game consoles and desktop browsers. Device availability can vary by country.
The NBA app is particularly useful for:
It is not a universal app for every live NBA game in the United States. National games require ESPN, Peacock or Prime Video access, while locally televised games may require a separate provider.
Once you have chosen the right setup, check tonight's NBA listings on Livesportsontv.com to see which service is carrying each game.
The schedule includes confirmed start times, television channels and streaming platforms. It can help you work out whether the next game is available through:
Because broadcast assignments and local availability can change, check the listing again before tipoff.
Prices checked August 2026. Subscription costs, channel lineups, regional availability, promotions and blackout rules may change. Confirm the latest terms with each service before purchasing.