How to watch Chicago Cubs games live in 2025
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The Chicago Cubs return this March with the 2025 MLB season. As viewers increasingly cut the cord on cable, in this article, we explore more flexible and cost-effective streaming alternatives. We evaluate them based on whether you can stream Chicago Cubs nationally broadcasted games, as well as in-market events, and provide a list of the best streaming services.
How to watch Chicago Cubs without cable in 2025?
There are two ways to stream Chicago Cubs games online. It all depends on whether you live in or outside of the Cubs market:
- Live TV streaming service subscription. Many live TV streaming services, such as FuboTV, offer access to channels like FOX, FS1, and ESPN, which broadcast MLB games nationally. Plus, these services often include regional sports networks (RSNs), which allows you to watch Chicago Cubs in-market games on the team's designated RSN, Marquee Sports Network.
- MLB.TV. This streaming service offers two package options for the 2025 season. All Teams Package that accesses every out-of-market regular-season game across all MLB teams live or on demand. The second one is the Single Team Package. It access all out-of-market games for just the Cubs at a slightly lower price point. Or use a VPN for MLB.tv and watch in market Cubs games on MLB.tv by changing your region.
Best streaming services to watch Chicago Cubs games in 2025
To provide you with the best cable alternatives for MLB, we've carefully analyzed various streaming services based on the national and in-market TV channels they offer. Let’s look at the top 3 streaming services to watch Chicago Cubs games online:
1. FuboTV – best streaming service for watching the Chicago Cubs
| TV channels for MLB: | FOX, FS1, ESPN, MLB Network |
| RSN (Marquee Sports Network): | ✅ Yes |
| Free trial: | ✅ Yes, 5-day free trial |
| Price: | From $9.99/month |
FuboTV's Pro plan is the top choice for streaming Chicago Cubs games in the 2025 MLB season.
National Coverage. FuboTV lets you stream Chicago Cubs nationally broadcasted games, with 8 games offered on FOX and FS1 and 2 games offered on ESPN. FuboTV also carries Apple TV+ for 2 additional Cubs games, though TBS is not included. While MLB Network is available with an additional package, no Cubs games will be broadcast on this channel in 2025.
Regional Coverage. FuboTV offers regional coverage as well, including the Cubs' regional sports network, the Marquee Sports Network, which will broadcast approximately 149 games this season.
| Channel | Available | Number of games |
| FOX, FS1 | ✅ Yes | 8 |
| ESPN | ✅ Yes | 2 |
| Apple TV+ | ✅ Yes | 2 |
| TBS | ❌ No | 0 |
| MLB Network | ✅ Yes (needs additional package) | 0 |
| RSN (Marquee Sports Network) | ✅ Yes | 162 |
The Sports Lite package at $9.99/month includes MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, and other sports channels. The Fubo Extra package at $7.99/month provides additional entertainment and lifestyle channels.
In addition to baseball, FuboTV also offers a host of other sports, including NFL, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, and more. To easily stream games on your TV, use the FuboTV app on a Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, or Chromecast device.
2. DirectTV Stream – extensive streaming service for Chicago Cubs games
| TV channels for MLB: | ESPN, FOX, FS1, TBS, MLB Network |
| RSN (Marquee Sports Network): | ✅ Yes |
| Free trial: | ✅ Yes, 5-day free trial |
| Price: | From $84.98/month |
DirectTV Stream is a good choice if you’re looking for a streaming service with an extensive list of channels.
National Coverage. DirecTV Stream's national coverage includes Fox and FS1 for Cubs games. However, ESPN is currently unavailable due to a carriage dispute, which affects access to 2 Cubs games. MLB Network is included in higher-tier packages, though no Cubs games will be broadcast there in 2025.
Regional Coverage. Regional sports networks like Marquee Sports Network are typically included in the CHOICE and higher-tier plans, which would allow you to watch approximately 149 Cubs in-market games this season. Availability may depend on your location.
| Channel | Available | Number of games |
| FOX, FS1 | ✅ Yes | 8 |
| ESPN | ❌ No (carriage dispute) | 2 |
| Apple TV+ | Unknown | 2 |
| TBS | ✅ Yes | 0 |
| MLB Network | ✅ Yes (needs Choice package) | - |
| RSN (Marquee Sports Network) | ✅ Yes (needs Choice package) | 149 |
Apart from sports, DirectTV Stream also offers over 25,000 shows and movies on top of unlimited DVR, which allows you to record games and watch them later. You can simultaneously stream on unlimited devices on your home network and use up to three streams while on the move. Device compatibility includes Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Samsung smart TVs (2017 and newer models), and Android TV devices.
DirectTV doesn't limit itself to MLB. Enjoy wide-ranging sports content, including NFL, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, and MLS, plus majors in golf and tennis, college sports, and high-profile events like the Super Bowl, World Series, and Olympics.
DirectTV’s Entertainment package is their most affordable option, available at $79.99/month, and it comes with a 5-day free trial.
3. Hulu + Live TV – streaming service for Chicago Cubs out-of-market games
| TV channels for MLB: | ESPN, FOX, FS1, TBS |
| RSN (Marquee Sports Network): | ❌ No |
| Free trial: | ❌ No |
| Price: | From $9.99/month |
Hulu + Live TV offers a decent variety of options for watching Chicago Cubs games during the 2025 MLB season.
National Coverage. Hulu + Live TV provides national coverage with 8 games broadcasted on FOX and FS1 and 2 on ESPN. The service now includes MLB Network, adding more MLB content to your lineup. However, it should be noted that no Cubs games are scheduled for TBS or MLB Network in the 2025 season.
Regional Coverage. The Cubs' regional sports network, Marquee Sports Network, is not available on Hulu + Live TV. This means that you won’t be able to watch Chicago Cubs in-market games.
| Channel | Available | Number of games |
| FOX, FS1 | ✅ Yes | 8 |
| ESPN | ✅ Yes | 2 |
| TBS | ✅ Yes | 0 |
| MLB Network | ✅ Yes | 0 |
| RSN (Marquee Sports Network) | ❌ No | 149 |
Hulu + Live TV offers more than just live sports programs. It features over 80 live TV channels, an extensive library with more than 4600 movies and shows, the Disney+ content library, access to unlimited DVR at no additional cost, and a multi-screen viewing option.
Hulu + Live TV is compatible with Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Stick, Apple TV (4th Generation), Chromecast, Android TV, and other devices. Pricing starts at $9.99/month. The more expensive plan, offered at $89.99/month, allows ad-free streaming.
How to watch Chicago Cubs on MLB.TV
MLB.TV only shows out-of-market MLB games – games that are not available through your local regional sports networks. If you’re located within the Marquee Sports Network's coverage area, MLB.TV will not allow you to watch Chicago Cubs in-market games. This is meant to encourage local viewers to support their regional sports networks.
MLB.TV offers two main subscription options for the 2025 season:
- All Teams Package: $149.99 per year or $29.99 per month, giving access to all out-of-market games.
- Single Team Package: $129.99 per year, providing access to one selected team's out-of-market games.
The Marquee Sports Network's coverage area includes Northern and Central Illinois, Iowa, Eastern and Central Nebraska, Northern, Western, and Central Indiana, Southwestern Michigan, and Southeastern Wisconsin. However, you can use a VPN to bypass MLB.TV blackouts and stream games from anywhere.
Final thoughts
Streaming services with live TV are becoming more popular than cable subscriptions, and baseball broadcasting is no exception. While there are several options for watching MLB games this season, not all of them cover all events.
To stream Chicago Cubs games online, we recommend FuboTV. It combines affordability with a library that covers both in-market and nationally broadcasted games. FuboTV also offers a 7-day free trial, so you can try it without commitment.
