College football season is a thrilling time for fans, but navigating where to watch each game can be confusing. With games spread across numerous networks and streaming platforms, catching your favorite team requires a game plan. This guide breaks down the best options for watching college football, ensuring you don’t miss any of the gridiron action.
Just like professional football, college games aren’t available in one single place. Even cable subscribers face limitations due to exclusive streaming deals. However, by understanding the broadcasting landscape and utilizing the right streaming services, you can access a comprehensive viewing experience. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, we’ll help you find the best way to watch college football live.
The excitement builds towards the College Football Playoff National Championship, preceded by intense semifinal matchups. Recent playoffs saw Notre Dame Fighting Irish clashing with Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl, and Texas Longhorns battling Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl. While ESPN+ might not carry these specific high-profile games, services like Sling TV and Fubo offer cable-alternative solutions to stream these and many other college football games.
This guide provides a complete overview of how to watch college football throughout the season. For an in-depth comparison of different platforms, you can also explore our detailed guide to the best sports streaming services.
Your Guide to Watching College Football in the US
College football broadcasts are distributed across a wide array of networks and streaming services. Key channels include ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, NBC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, ABC, FS1, FOX, Big Ten Network, and even The CW for select games. Local and regional sports networks also offer coverage, particularly for fans wanting to watch teams in their area.
ESPN+ is a significant player in college football streaming, offering select games from ABC and the ESPN family of networks. For $12 a month, subscribers gain access to a variety of live sports, including college football. While not every game on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU is on ESPN+, many are, and some games are exclusively streamed on ESPN+.
ESPN Plus isn’t just for college football; it’s a sports enthusiast’s hub. Subscribers can enjoy live games from MLB, NHL, NFL (select content), soccer, golf, and UFC events. The $12 monthly subscription offers great value, and an annual plan is available for cost savings. For even greater entertainment value, consider bundling ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ for a discounted rate.
If your interest lies specifically in games broadcast on NBC, Peacock Premium Plus is your go-to streaming tier at $14 per month. Similarly, for CBS or Big Ten Network games, Paramount+ is the answer. To access CBS live streaming, you’ll need the Paramount+ with Showtime plan, priced at $13 monthly. New Paramount+ subscribers can often take advantage of a one-week free trial to test the service.
Peacock extends beyond sports, providing a rich library of NBC hit TV shows, Universal movies, and exclusive original programming. It’s a comprehensive entertainment platform that also includes live sports like Sunday Night Football and college football games broadcast on NBC.
Paramount+ is more than just live sports; it’s a vast on-demand content library featuring shows and movies from Paramount, CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and MTV. The Premium Plan, which includes Showtime and live CBS streaming, is priced at $12.99 per month or $120 annually. An added benefit of the Premium plan is ad-free access to the on-demand library.
For cord-cutters seeking a comprehensive solution to watch almost all nationally televised college football games, live TV streaming packages are ideal. Sling TV and Fubo are two leading options to consider. Sling TV’s Orange + Blue plan, at $61 per month, includes ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, and select local channels like FOX, ABC, and NBC (note: CBS is not included). Sports add-ons are available to expand your channel lineup with networks like SEC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPNU, and truTV. Sling TV also carries TNT, important for catching playoff games.
Sling TV stands out for providing a wide range of cable channels at a competitive price point. With three main plan tiers and various add-on options for sports and entertainment, Sling TV offers flexibility. The Orange + Blue plan is particularly well-suited for sports fans wanting access to major sports networks. New subscribers often benefit from introductory offers, such as half-price first month.
Fubo is arguably the most comprehensive live streaming service for college football, covering almost all nationally broadcast games, with few exceptions. For a starting price of $80 per month, Fubo includes ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and The CW, among others. New customers can usually take advantage of a one-week free trial. Fubo is heavily sports-focused, making it a great option for both college football and NFL fans.
Fubo distinguishes itself as a streaming service built for sports enthusiasts. Its extensive channel lineup includes both regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from many competitors. While add-on packages are available to further customize your channel selection, the base plan offers a robust selection for college football viewing.
While TNT doesn’t typically broadcast regular season games, it does air select College Football Playoff games. If you are specifically interested in TNT-broadcasted playoff games, or if you are a Fubo subscriber missing Warner Bros. channels (as Fubo doesn’t carry them), Max is a viable option. Max subscriptions start at $10 per month and include live streams of TNT and TBS via the B/R Sports Add-on. Currently, this add-on is included for free with all Max subscriptions, but it may eventually incur an additional monthly charge.
Max is a premium streaming service known for its high-quality TV series, classic movies, and unscripted shows, including popular titles like Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and Succession. Max offers different subscription tiers, starting with an ad-supported option at $9.99 per month, with options to upgrade to ad-free viewing or 4K streaming.
Watching College Football from Anywhere in the World
Traveling during the college football season doesn’t mean missing out on games. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to access your US-based streaming subscriptions from anywhere. By changing your device’s virtual location, you can bypass geographical restrictions and access your usual content. This is particularly useful for Americans traveling abroad who want to keep up with their college football viewing.
ExpressVPN is a top recommendation for VPN services, known for its user-friendly interface and a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing a risk-free trial. For more details, check out our comprehensive ExpressVPN review.
ExpressVPN excels in performance, security, and global streaming capabilities, making it a leading VPN choice. It offers a range of advanced features and is currently offering significant discounts, including up to four months free with certain plans.
Step-by-Step Guide: Using a VPN to Watch College Football
Here’s how to use a VPN to watch college football from anywhere:
- Sign up for a VPN: If you don’t already have one, subscribe to a service like ExpressVPN.
- Install the VPN app: Download and install the VPN application on your device.
- Connect to a US server: Open the VPN app, turn it on, and select a server location within the United States.
- Subscribe to a streaming service: Sign up for your chosen streaming service using a US payment method if required.
- Start watching: Enjoy the college football game from anywhere in the world.
Disclaimer: VPN usage may be legally restricted in some countries. Using VPNs to bypass content restrictions might violate terms of service of streaming platforms. This guide does not encourage illegal VPN use.
Lillian Brown
Associate Editor of Streaming
Lillian Brown is the Associate Editor of Streaming for Business Insider Reviews, bringing extensive experience in entertainment and media to help readers find the best ways to watch their favorite content. With a background in entertainment journalism and a focus on streaming services, Lillian provides expert guidance on navigating the world of online entertainment and sports viewing. Her expertise and deal-finding skills make her a trusted resource for cord-cutters and sports fans alike.
