So, it's game night. You've got the snacks ready, the jersey is on, and you sit down to catch Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo do their thing. Then, you see it. That annoying "This program is unavailable in your area" message or a blank screen. It's the worst.
Honestly, finding out how can i watch the miami heat game shouldn't feel like solving a Rubik's cube, but between the new TV deals for the 2025-26 season and the rebranding of local networks, it’s a bit of a mess.
Basically, the old Bally Sports Sun you used for years? It’s gone. Well, not gone, but it’s now FanDuel Sports Network Sun. If you live in South Florida, that’s your main hub. If you’re living elsewhere, the rules change completely.
The Local Fan’s Dilemma: FanDuel Sports Network Sun
If you’re lucky enough to live in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area or anywhere in the Heat’s home territory, you’re looking for FanDuel Sports Network Sun. They are carrying 76 of the 82 regular-season games this year.
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You can still get this through traditional cable like Xfinity or Breezeline, but if you’ve cut the cord, your options narrow down fast.
- Fubo: This is the go-to for most sports junkies. It carries FanDuel Sports Network Sun, but be prepared for that "Regional Sports Fee" which can tack on another $12 to $15 to your monthly bill.
- DIRECTV STREAM: They have the "Choice" package. It’s pricey—usually north of $100—but it’s one of the few that actually includes the local RSN (Regional Sports Network) without making you jump through hoops.
- The FanDuel Sports Network App: You can actually subscribe directly to the network now. No cable bundle needed. It’s roughly $20 a month, which is cheaper than a full TV package if all you care about is Heat basketball.
National TV and the New Streaming Giants
This season is weird because the NBA has spread games across more "random" apps than ever. You used to just check ESPN or TNT. Now? You might need a login for things you didn't even know showed sports.
The Heat have a handful of games on Amazon Prime Video this year. Specifically, they had a matchup against the Magic in December and another coming up against the Rockets in February. If you already pay for Prime for the shipping, you’re set. If not, you’re out of luck for those specific nights.
Then there’s the NBC and Peacock situation. The NBA is back on NBC! Some games stream exclusively on Peacock, like the one against the Timberwolves earlier in January.
For the big "marquee" matchups, you’re still looking at:
- ABC/ESPN: Usually Wednesday or Friday nights.
- NBA TV: Often used for those random Monday or Tuesday night games.
- TNT: Still in the mix for those iconic doubleheaders, though the landscape is shifting.
How Can I Watch the Miami Heat Game if I Live Outside Florida?
If you're a Heat fan living in, say, Chicago or New York, things are actually easier for you. You want NBA League Pass.
League Pass is great because it gives you every game that isn't on national TV. You get the local Miami broadcast with Eric Reid and John Crotty—who are arguably the best in the business—instead of some generic national announcers.
But here is the catch. If the Heat are playing the team in your city (like the Knicks if you're in NYC), League Pass will black that game out. You'd have to watch it on the local New York channel instead.
The "Blackout" Workaround
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Blackouts happen because local networks pay a lot of money to be the "exclusive" home of the team in that area.
If you are a local fan trying to use League Pass to avoid a cable bill, it won't work. The app uses your IP address (and your phone's GPS) to see you're in Miami and shuts the feed down.
Some people use a VPN to change their virtual location to a different state. If your computer thinks you're in Seattle, the Miami blackout disappears. However, the NBA has gotten much better at detecting VPNs lately. If you go this route, you usually need a high-end service like NordVPN or Surfshark, and even then, it’s a constant cat-and-mouse game.
The Free Option (The Old School Way)
Don't overlook the digital antenna. For games on ABC or NBC, a $20 antenna from Amazon can pull in a crystal-clear 1080p signal for free. It’s reliable, there’s no lag, and you don’t have to worry about your Wi-Fi dropping during a fourth-quarter comeback.
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Summary of Where to Look
- In Miami: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (via Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, or the FDSN app).
- Outside Florida: NBA League Pass.
- National Games: ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV, Peacock, and Amazon Prime.
- Radio: 560 The Joe (WQAM) for English or Radio Mambi 710 AM for Spanish.
Check the schedule a few hours before tip-off. Since the Heat only have about 8 to 10 truly national games this season, you’ll spend 90% of your time on the regional network.
To make sure you don't miss the next tip-off, download the FanDuel Sports Network app and check if your current TV provider allows a login, or sign up for a free trial of Fubo during a heavy game week.