Let's be real: trying to figure out how to watch baseball in 2026 feels like you need a master’s degree in telecommunications. It used to be simple. You turned on the TV, found the local channel, and listened to the crack of the bat while you drifted off for a Sunday nap. Now? You’ve got regional sports networks (RSNs) collapsing, exclusive streaming deals on Friday nights, and those dreaded "blackout restrictions" that make it feels like MLB actually hates its own fans.
It’s a mess.
But if you want to see every 100-mph fastball and every chaotic stolen base attempt, you can still do it. You just have to know which hoops to jump through.
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The Absolute Chaos of Blackout Rules
The biggest hurdle in how to watch baseball isn't the cost; it's the geography. Major League Baseball uses a blackout system that was designed for the 1970s. Basically, if a local broadcaster has the rights to your team, MLB.tv—the league’s own premium streaming service—won’t let you watch them live. This leads to absurd situations where fans in Iowa are blacked out from six different teams despite living hundreds of miles from the nearest stadium.
Honestly, it’s the number one complaint in the sport.
If you’re a "cord-cutter" who only uses Netflix or Hulu, you’re going to run into a wall immediately. To get around this, some people use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to make it look like they are in a different state. It works, mostly. But MLB is constantly playing a cat-and-mouse game to block those IP addresses. If you’re trying to stay strictly "above board," your options are limited to either a traditional cable package or a few specific live-TV streaming services like FuboTV or DirecTV Stream that actually carry those regional networks.
Regional Sports Networks are Dying (And That’s Sorta Good?)
For decades, the Regional Sports Network (RSN) was the king. If you lived in New York, you watched the Yankees on YES. If you were in LA, it was Spectrum SportsNet LA for the Dodgers. But the company that owned a huge chunk of these—Diamond Sports Group (Bally Sports)—filed for bankruptcy.
This changed everything.
Now, teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies have seen their TV rights return to MLB itself. For fans of these teams, the answer to how to watch baseball actually got easier. You can now buy a team-specific streaming package directly through the MLB app without needing a cable subscription. It’s a glimpse into a future where we might finally be able to pay for just the team we want.
We aren't there yet for every team, though.
If you follow the Braves or the Rangers, you’re still likely stuck with the old-school RSN model. It’s frustrating. You pay $90 a month for a "Big Cable" replacement just to watch one channel.
The National Broadcast Scramble
Even if you have your local RSN figured out, you’re still going to lose games to national "exclusives." MLB has spread its feathers across almost every major tech giant.
- Apple TV+: They own "Friday Night Baseball." You can’t watch these on your local cable or MLB.tv. You need an Apple subscription.
- Roku: They recently took over the "Sunday Leadoff" morning games. Luckily, these are usually free on the Roku Channel, so you don't necessarily need new hardware.
- ESPN: Sunday Night Baseball is still the flagship, but you need the actual ESPN channel, not just ESPN+.
- FOX and FS1: Usually your home for Saturday afternoon games and, obviously, the World Series.
Why MLB.tv is still the best (for some)
If you live in Seattle but you’re a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan, how to watch baseball is actually incredibly easy. Buy MLB.tv. Since you’re "out-of-market," you won't hit blackouts for your team except when they play the Mariners.
The app is actually pretty slick. It offers "Big Inning," which is basically the MLB version of NFL RedZone. It hops from game to game whenever the bases are loaded or a star like Shohei Ohtani is at the plate. For a casual fan who just wants to see the highlights, it’s probably the best value in sports.
Dealing with the Postseason
Once October hits, everything you learned about watching the regular season goes out the window. The RSNs are finished.
The playoffs are a gauntlet of TBS, FOX, FS1, and ESPN. If you’ve been relying on a team-specific streaming app all year, you will be left in the dark for the playoffs. This is where most fans sign up for a one-month "free trial" or a single month of a service like Sling TV or YouTube TV.
TBS usually carries the American League one year and the National League the next. If you don't have a way to get TBS, you’re going to miss half the playoffs. It’s a fragmented system that requires a spreadsheet to track.
The Cost Factor
Let's do some quick math.
A standard MLB.tv "All Teams" pass usually runs around $150 per year.
If you add Apple TV+ for $9.99 a month during the season, that's another $60.
If you need a live TV streamer like Fubo to get your local RSN, you’re looking at $75–$90 a month.
Watching every single game of your favorite team can easily cost you north of $700 a year if you aren't careful.
Practical Steps to Get Started
If you’re staring at your TV right now wondering where to begin, don't just start clicking "subscribe."
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First, check the "Blackout Map" on the MLB website. Enter your zip code. It will tell you exactly which teams you cannot watch on MLB.tv. If your favorite team is on that list, MLB.tv is useless for you unless you’re okay with watching games 90 minutes after they finish.
Next, see if your team has a direct-to-consumer (DTC) option. Teams like the Mets (SNY) or the Red Sox (NESN 360) allow you to buy their specific channel as a standalone app. It's usually about $20-$30 a month. It’s expensive for one channel, but it’s cheaper than a full cable package.
Finally, invest in a good antenna. Seriously. A $30 digital antenna can often pick up your local FOX affiliate in high definition for free. Since FOX carries many big Saturday games and the World Series, it’s the most cost-effective tool in your arsenal.
Check for Bundles
Don't overlook your cell phone provider. T-Mobile has famously given away MLB.tv for free to its customers every year for nearly a decade. It usually happens during the last week of March. If you’re a T-Mobile user, that’s a $150 savings just for clicking a button in their "T-Life" app.
Similarly, some internet service providers bundle local sports. It’s rare, but it happens.
The Future of the Diamond
The landscape of how to watch baseball is shifting toward a centralized streaming model. Commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted at a "national digital map" where blackouts eventually disappear, but that requires buying out a lot of old, stubborn contracts.
Until then, you have to be tactical. Use the free trials. Rotate your subscriptions.
To maximize your viewing this season, your best move is to start by identifying your "market." If you are local, look for a DTC app or a streamer like Fubo. If you are out of market, grab MLB.tv (hopefully for free through your carrier). Keep a calendar of the Apple TV+ and Roku games so you aren't surprised when your usual channel is dark. Most importantly, don't pay for the whole year upfront if you only plan on watching the pennant race in September.
Baseball is a game of patience, and unfortunately, so is figuring out how to stream it.
Actionable Steps for the Season:
- Audit your Zip Code: Use the MLB Blackout tool to see which teams are restricted in your area before buying any subscription.
- Check T-Mobile/Service Perks: Before opening your wallet, see if your wireless or home internet provider offers MLB.tv or a streaming credit as a loyalty perk.
- Sync your Calendar: Download a schedule that specifically flags "Exclusive Stream" games (Apple, Roku, ESPN) so you know when you'll need to switch apps.
- Use an Antenna: Set up an Over-The-Air (OTA) antenna to capture local FOX broadcasts for free, ensuring you have access to the World Series without a monthly fee.
- Monthly over Annual: Unless you are certain you’ll watch 162 games, buy streaming services month-to-month. This allows you to cancel immediately if your team falls out of contention or the season ends.