Watching your favorite soccer teams in action is now easier than ever before, thanks to the rise of streaming services. However, the convenience of accessing live games from the comfort of your own home comes with a price. For Americans, these costs have skyrocketed in recent years and only seem to be on the rise. So how much does it cost to watch soccer and your favorite leagues?
How much does it cost to watch soccer in the United States? (all prices per month)
ESPN+: $9.99
ESPN’s premium streaming service gives American soccer fans access to the Bundesliga and LaLiga in Europe along with a host of other leagues and competitions like the Eredivisie and the FA Cup. It also broadcasts select games from the EFL Championship to watch United States national team players like Josh Sargent, Daryl Dike and Ethan Horvath. Stateside you can also find games from the USL Championship as well as its lower divisions.
Paramount+: $4.99 Essential, $9.99 Premium
In terms of bang for your buck, Paramount+ is about as good as it gets. With a deep roster of content including the UEFA Champions League, Serie A and NWSL, it’s hard to argue against the essential plan for under $5.
Peacock: $4.99
For fans of the Premier League, Peacock has become a necessity in recent years. NBC’s streaming service is highlighted by the English top flight, but also has a host of other games available in Spanish broadcasts including Liga MX and select USMNT and USWNT matches.
Apple TV MLS Season Pass: $14.99
One of two new additions for this year, Apple TV will be the home of Major League Soccer with its new MLS Season Pass. The tech giants hold the global-exclusive rights thanks to a massive 10-year deal worth $2.5 billion according to The Athletic and will broadcast every game on the service with no blackouts. At $14.99 per month, the price is a bit steep but for Apple TV+ subscribers, the price drops to $12.99 per month, which means you can watch Jim Curtin and Ted Lasso, all in the same place.
HBO Max: $9.99 with ads, $15.99 without ads
Also new to the lineup is HBO Max, the home of the United States national teams. HBO is still new to streaming live soccer and currently has little to offer besides select international soccer games, but for American soccer fans, it might be a necessity. It must be said that the commentary and quality of the broadcasts have been decent so far, but the relatively low importance of the matches may curtail some fans from subscribing.
Fubo: $74.99 to $94.99
Unfortunately, streaming services still won’t catch every game, as many leagues have joint partnerships that put games on TV. This means a cable subscription is still necessary to catch many Premier League, Ligue 1, Liga MX and various international tournament games. There are many different ways to get a cheap service, but Fubo seems to be the most viable option to watch games on Fox Sports, NBC and beIN Sports.
When adding up all the services, the total comes to $119.94 per month, a staggering amount that may cause many to skip a service or two because they cannot afford it. When compared with other sports in the United States, soccer is far and away the highest priced.
The NBA League Pass costs $14.99 per month while MLB TV comes in at just under $12 per month. NFL+ is by far the most affordable with a measly $4.99 price tag. Even looking at just the new MLS Season Pass, watching soccer is tied with the NBA League Pass as the most expensive service.
