As a lifelong sports fan, I have repeatedly tried “free” streaming subscriptions, knowing full well that there would be hidden fees and additional costs further down the road. I recently realized I needed to cancel some subscriptions to save money, but I still had to get my sports fix without resorting to piracy. Thankfully, somebody suggested I try FreeLiveSports (formerly SportsTribal) as a fully legal sports streaming option.
At first, I was skeptical, as it sounded too good to be true. However, my doubts were soon put to rest, as it quickly became my go-to sports streaming platform, and I also found more free streaming channels to expand my options even further. Now I only pay for one-off pay-per-view events when absolutely necessary, as free services provide almost everything else I need to watch sports casually at home.
Why FreeLiveSports impressed me
A refreshingly legit way to watch live sports without paying a cent
What first caught my attention was how straightforward FreeLiveSports is. I expected to have to enter card details and an email address, and to check some disclaimers, but there was none of that. There weren’t even options for hidden premium tiers for the pick of the events; all I had to do was select a channel and hit play. Eventually, three significant factors convinced me that this was a worthy platform.
It’s genuinely free, with no hidden subscriptions
As previously mentioned, many platforms let you sign up and enjoy them for a short while, then hit you with a paywall. With FreeLiveSports, there’s no login, no credit card, and no time-limited trial. You just have to download the app to a smart TV or streaming device, or visit the website and start watching.
As someone who juggles far too many streaming subscriptions, this is a real breath of fresh air. I really don’t mind ad-supported content nowadays if it means I save on my spiraling streaming costs, and I happily use this time constructively.
It offers a surprisingly wide range of sports
I’ve never been one to focus squarely on major sports, and I’ve always mixed football with championship pool, motorsports, MMA, and extreme sports. If sporting diversity is also important to you, then you’re in for a treat, as I found all of the above, plus billiards, watersports, and much more on FreeLiveSports.
In all, there are more than 100 channels streaming 24/7, over 500 sports movies, and over 1,000 hours of on-demand video at any given time. It’s seriously expanded my enjoyment of sports by turning my devices into discovery tools and letting me sample new genres without paying.
It’s ad-supported and 100% legal
While there will always be compromises when accessing free, legal content, it’s FreeLiveSports’ business model that makes it credible. By generating revenue solely from ads, it provides a fast, high-quality service with an attractive, easily navigable UI that rarely buffers.
It is the opposite of those heavy, slow-loading “free sports” sites that flood you with malware. I’d much rather sit through a few commercials than deal with sluggish, grainy content, so I see ad-generated revenue as a fair compromise when the alternative is payment or piracy, which threatens the quality and integrity of sports worldwide.
Some noteworthy free sports alternatives
Other solid platforms that expand free sports streaming
I’d say that FreeLiveSports covers around 50% of my sports streaming needs, but there are alternatives out there to help me cover more bases. The following are not dedicated sports platforms, but they do offer more free options for streaming sports on TV and mobile devices.
Tubi
Tubi is woefully underrated as a free movie and TV resource, and, as a bonus, it offers several sports channels as part of its comprehensive entertainment library. As a Fox-owned enterprise, it shows live sports, replays, and documentaries, and major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl.
For the most part, I use Tubi for its integration with Fox Sports. When viewing channels supported by large studios, streaming is high-quality and professional-looking, as if it were from a subscription sports channel, and it’s easy to forget you are using a free platform.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is another streaming powerhouse that also caters to sports fans. It has an entire 24/7 sports section with multiple channels, including CBS Sports HQ and the NFL Channel, as well as some dedicated feeds for niche sports, like kickboxing and women’s soccer.
Because of its cable-style interface, I mostly use Pluto TV for channel-surfing sports when I am idly passing the time or doing chores around the house. In contrast, FreeLiveSports is more of a dedicated space for curated sports channels from around the world. Together, these channels complement each other perfectly, with FLS providing variety, Tubi for mainstream sporting events, and Pluto TV for everything in between.
Where FreeLiveSports falls short
Limited coverage and small quirks that remind you it’s still early days
As I have previously suggested, FreeLiveSports is not quite perfect. The most obvious drawback is that it doesn’t show the major events, as these sit behind expensive rights deals. If you were hoping to catch Sunday Night Football or the Soccer World Cup, you’ll have to pay for the privilege on another platform or find it on a traditional broadcaster. Even when using other free platforms alongside FreeLiveSports, there are still significant gaps in keeping up with the big leagues.
Another setback is that it’s inconsistent across different locations. As someone who travels a lot, I find significant regional variation annoying, especially if, like me, you enjoy keeping up with regular events on the platform. This can often be remedied by installing a VPN (though I usually have to compromise some bandwidth).
Lastly, while ad breaks aren’t as intrusive as in traditional TV shows, they can be repetitive and sometimes interfere at ill-timed moments. This, coupled with a somewhat basic interface and a lack of premium services like DVR and multi-view, leaves you very aware that you are getting the cheaper end of the deal.
Why I would still recommend FreeLiveSports
For casual fans, it’s the simplest and safest way to enjoy live sports free
Even with its shortcomings, FreeLiveSports should be on every sports fan’s radar. It’s important not to expect a comprehensive solution from a free platform, and even paid services don’t offer every league that’s going. For me, FLS fills in the gaps left by the big platforms, and it’s in the more niche sports that the platform truly shines.
I’ve discovered new passions in unlikely areas, such as motocross, kite surfing, championship pool, and rugby sevens, none of which are well represented on mainstream channels. I also like that FreeLiveSports is risk-free, so if I eventually get tired of using it, I can just stop using the app for a while and pick up where I left off at any time.
A free app that many sports fans don’t know they’re missing out on
If you’re looking to replace ESPN or cable networks, FreeLiveSports simply won’t cut it. However, if you like the sound of a completely free, legal, ad-supported sports streaming app that prioritizes accessibility, you should certainly give it a try. If, like me, you enjoy variety, flexibility, and smooth service, you’ll find it a real breath of fresh air.
Of course, the options don’t end there. If you are hoping to catch a major league event, it’s always worth checking Tubi and Pluto TV, or the many other free sports streaming platforms, before you resort to pay-per-view services. But if you’re ready to cut costs, explore new sports, and stream confidently without breaking any rules, FreeLiveSports is an easy recommendation. It’s one of those rare instances where “free and legal” doesn’t have to mean plain and boring, or too good to be true.
