A Complete Guide to MLB In-Market Streaming & How it Works
Dan Anderson
Updated on: February 25, 2026 / 03:17 PM

MLB In-Market Streaming: A Complete Guide to Local Coverage & How it Works

For decades, "blackouts" have been the biggest hurdle for baseball fans. They are a source of major frustration for anyone who wants to settle in and watch their local team play, only to find that MLB.TV is blocking you from tuning in. If that’s a relatable feeling for you, then we have good news.

As of the 2026 season, the landscape has shifted. Following the restructuring of several Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), MLB now distributes local broadcasts for over 22 teams, eradicating blackout frustrations in one fell-swoop. This guide explains how the new in-market streaming works, which teams are included, what it costs, what devices and apps you can use, and when blackouts (or national exclusives) can still affect what you’re able to watch.

How does MLB’s new in-market streaming subscription work? 

The old "Regional Sports Network" (RSN) model is fading into the history books, and in its place, MLB Local Media has stepped up to distribute games directly to fans. So, if you happen to be a local fan of one of the 21 clubs now covered, you can subscribe to a ‘Local Team’ package via the MLB App or ESPN App (new for 2026) to watch every game that takes place in your home market live.

How much is the MLB in-market subscription?

The new in-market subscription option will cost $19.99 per month or $99.99 per year. And if the local games aren’t enough for you, then you can combine that with the MLB.TV’s out-of-market service for $39.99 per month or $199.99 per year.

It is worth noting that 6 of the teams (Athletics, Orioles, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, and Giants) still have deals with the clubs’ regional sports network, and therefore may be subject to different pricing.

Which MLB teams have in-market streaming subscriptions available in 2026? 

As of February 2026, 21 teams have joined the movement to offer in-market streaming. If your team is on this list, you can seriously consider mixing up your streaming set-up, and add on this blackout-free option:

MLB-Produced & Distributed:

RSN-Partnered (Available via MLB Platforms):

  • Oakland Athletics (Athletics.TV)
  • Baltimore Orioles (MASN+)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (SNLA+)
  • New York Mets (SNY)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (Phillies.TV)
  • San Francisco Giants (Giants.TV)

How do I watch in-market MLB games? 

Depending on your team and your setup, you generally have three legal ways to watch your local team. 

Direct-To-Consumer Streaming

If your team offers an in-market streaming subscription, you can subscribe to your team’s package and watch local games through the MLB app and other supported devices like smart TVs. Note that the ESPN app access applies to MLB.TV (out-of-market), not the in-market subscriptions.

Traditional Cable or Satellite

However, if your team is not included in the list of clubs covered by the MLB’s in-market service, or you just like to keep things old–fashioned, there are cable or satellite options to consider. DIRECTV (other providers also available), in particular, offers a broad array of regional sports networks that will likely cover your local MLB team. Please note that availability will vary depending on Zip code, so please do check before committing.

This option includes teams covered by MLB Local Media. What’s more, these cable packages will offer more sports and entertainment as part of their extensive channel portfolios, along with the major channels that will showcase the nationally broadcast MLB games.

Live TV Streaming Services

Similar to the above, services like Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV carry many Regional Sports Networks. However, availability varies by ZIP code.

Why does MLB block local games?

MLB blocks local games on MLB.TV because local TV rights are sold by territory. For decades, most teams licensed in-market broadcast rights to RSNs or other local partners. Those partners pay for exclusivity in a defined home-market area, so MLB.TV is required to black out live streams in that territory to protect those contracts.

How to get around local blackouts? 

Even in 2026, the "Blackout" frustration is still a major issue, but navigating these restrictions doesn't have to be a headache if you know the ground rules. First and foremost, the majority of teams are always going to have to give way to the national stage at some time or another. This means that, if your team is playing on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball or on the FOX Saturday showcase (or other), the game will move exclusively onto those channels and corresponding streaming partners.

Similarly, home games in regions not now covered by the MLB in-market streaming service will often be preserved for the regional sports network in that region, to ensure they get their fair share of the action as well. You can easily see which channel is broadcasting your team’s games by checking out our MLB TV and streaming schedule.

Make sure to check the MLB Local Blackout Checker on the MLB website to confirm what region you are in. This will help you determine what live streaming service or cable tv package (i.e DIRECTV) is best for you. We use DIRECTV (or DIRECTV Stream) as our example, as they have the widest array of RSNs, and will most likely be able to help you navigate your blackout issues to watch your local MLB team.

When no video is an option at all, then you can consider local radio broadcasts, which are immune to blackouts, and the MLB App’s live audio feature is a reliable backup when you're on the move. 

Hopefully, you can keep things simple and subscribe to one of MLB’s new in-market streaming subscriptions to take blackouts out of the equation almost entirely, though. If not, then hopefully this guide has helped you find a few other solutions to consider.

MLB
MLB.TV
Baseball