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College is finally back. The new season kicked off on August 24 with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, which saw Georgia Tech defeat Florida State in Dublin, Ireland.
Overview: How to Watch College Football Games Online
- flow: Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, fubo, Sling, ESPN+
- TV channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, and more
- Season Dates: August 24, 2024 to January 20, 2025
Last season ended with the CFP National Championship Game, which saw Michigan defeat Washington to claim its 12th national title. This season, programs like Georgia, Oregon, Texas, Ohio State and Notre Dame are among the top picks to dethrone the reigning champions.
However, for those who cut the cord, streaming college football games online can be almost as difficult as winning the title. Here's a complete guide on the best ways to watch college football online without cable during the 2024-25 season.
How to Watch College Football Games Online Without Cable
College football broadcasts are spread across many channels, including local stations (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC), national channels such as ESPN, ESPNU, FS1, and CBS Sports Network, and conference-specific channels such as the SEC Network.
If you don’t have cable, your best option for watching NFL games is a live TV service that carries the most channels. You’ll also want ESPN+, which has some games that won’t be available to watch anywhere else. Here are some of our favorites, including details on which channels they carry and pricing information. Some services (Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, and fubo) also offer free trials, which you can use to watch some games without paying.
Stream College Football on Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is our favorite way to watch college football without cable — and it offers some of the best streaming values. For $76.99 a month (after a three-day trial), you get more than 95 channels, including local networks, national sports channels, and even some conference channels like ACCN and SEC Network. Best of all? ESPN+ is included, which streams some college football games that regular TV won’t.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV combines Hulu’s library of on-demand content with over 95 live TV channels, including local channels and nearly every popular national channel. Subscriptions also include ESPN+ and Disney+ at no additional cost. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 per month after a three-day free trial.
College Football Streaming on DiectTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is one of the best live TV streaming services for sports (including college football). The service’s Choice package comes with more than 125 channels, including local, national, and college sports. You can get a free five-day trial to get started, then pay starts at $69.99 per month for three months — a limited-time discount from the regular price of $108.99 per month.
Live TV
DirecTV Stream is one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services, with over 160 channels, including local channels, regional sports networks, and all the popular national channels. Packages start at $79.99 per month and all subscriptions start with a five-day free trial.
Stream college football games on fubo
With access to over a dozen channels that broadcast live college football games — including local, national, and college networks — Fubo is a great way to watch college football online. Fubo’s least expensive subscription tier gets you most of these channels and costs $79.99 per month, but you’ll need the upgraded Elite plan ($99.99 per month) to get ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network, too. Fubo also offers a seven-day free trial before you pay.
Fubo
Fubo's mega streaming plans offer up to 275+ channels, and you can get more depending on your location. Packages start at $79.99 per month, and you get a seven-day free trial.
Stream College Football on Sling
Another great live TV streaming service is Sling, which offers live TV for a cheaper price than the service mentioned above (though you get fewer channels). Sling’s Orange + Blue package (currently starting at $30 per month for the first month, then $60 per month after that) is your best bet for watching college football. For more sports channels, you can also get Sling’s Sports Extra add-on for $15 per month.
sling
Sling is one of the most affordable live TV streaming services, with packages starting at $40 per month. You can get up to 46 channels on the Sling Orange + Blue plan, plus more with Sling add-ons.
Stream college football games on ESPN+
ESPN+ will be the exclusive channel to stream some NCAA football games this season, so you’ll want to get that in addition to the live TV service above (unless you get Hulu + Live TV, which includes ESPN+). ESPN+ costs $10.99 per month, or $108.99 per year for an annual subscription.
ESPN+
ESPN+ offers live and on-demand content for nearly all sports. The service costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year for an annual plan.
Watch college football games with a digital antenna
Don’t want to pay for another streaming service every month? You can also watch some college football games with a digital antenna. Available for under $30 on Amazon, these devices don’t require a monthly fee and give you free, unlimited access to local stations like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.
digital antenna
This digital antenna provides access to local channels without contracts, and it costs just $26 on Amazon. Plus, it has over 35,000 reviews and a 4.6/5-star rating.
2024-25 College Football Schedule
The 2024 college football season kicks off on August 24 with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. Week 1 begins on Thursday, August 29. This year’s championship game will be played on January 20, 2025.
Where to Buy NCAA Football Merchandise Online
Once you have a way to watch college football, it’s time to enjoy some of the best college football merchandise. Two of our favorite places to buy college football merchandise online are Nike and Fanatics.
