If you’re staring at your TV remote right now wondering what channel is the Bulls game on, you aren’t alone. Honestly, the 2025-26 season has been a bit of a maze for fans in Chicago. Between the death of the old regional sports networks and the birth of the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), finding the game is sometimes harder than watching the team try to close out a fourth-quarter lead.
The short answer? Most nights, you’re looking for CHSN. But if it’s a big national matchup, you might need to hunt down ESPN, TNT, or even a specific streaming app like Amazon Prime Video.
Finding the Bulls Game Today: Local and National Channels
The landscape for Chicago sports shifted massively this year. If the Bulls are playing right now, or you're prepping for the next tip-off, here is the breakdown of where the broadcast usually lives.
Chicago Sports Network (CHSN)
This is the primary home for the Bulls. For about 95% of the schedule, this is where you’ll find Adam Amin and Stacey King. It replaced the old NBC Sports Chicago. You can find it on:
- DIRECTV / DIRECTV Stream: Channel 665.
- Astound (RCN): Channels 685 and 576.
- U-Verse: Channel 1741.
- Fubo: Available in the regional sports tier.
- Over-the-Air (Antenna): If you’re old school and have a digital antenna, scan for channels 62.2 or 62.3 in the Chicago area.
What About Comcast Xfinity?
This has been the biggest headache for the fan base. As of the current 2026 stretch, CHSN is available on Xfinity, but they’ve tucked it away on the Ultimate Tier. Basically, if you have the standard "Popular" package, you might see a black screen where the game should be. You usually have to upgrade your plan or pay a supplemental regional sports fee to get it back.
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National TV Windows
Sometimes the Bulls get the spotlight. When that happens, the local CHSN broadcast might be "blacked out" or unavailable in favor of a national partner. Keep an eye out for these:
- ESPN/ABC: High-profile Friday nights or Sunday afternoon showcases.
- TNT/TBS: Usually Tuesday or Thursday doubleheaders.
- NBA TV: These games are often just the local CHSN feed rebroadcast nationally.
- Streaming Exclusives: Amazon Prime Video and Peacock have snagged a handful of exclusive windows this season. If the game isn't on cable, check your apps.
How to Watch if You Are Out of Market
If you don't live in the Chicagoland area—maybe you're a Bulls fan living in Phoenix or New York—you’re actually in luck. You don't have to deal with the CHSN cable negotiations.
NBA League Pass is your best friend here. It carries every single Bulls game that isn't being shown on national TV (like ESPN or TNT) in your current city. You can get the "Team Pass" if you only care about Chicago, which saves you a few bucks over the full league version.
Just a heads up: If you live in a city like Indianapolis or Milwaukee, you might still be considered "in-market" for the Bulls, meaning League Pass will black you out. In those cases, you're stuck with whatever regional sports network covers your local area, which often carries the Bulls when they play the Pacers or Bucks.
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Streaming Options for Cord-Cutters
If you've ditched the cable box, your options for finding what channel is the Bulls game on have narrowed but improved in quality.
The CHSN App
The network finally launched its direct-to-consumer (DTC) app. You can subscribe for about $20 a month for just the Bulls, or $30 for the full package including the Blackhawks and White Sox. This is the "no-contract" way to watch if you have high-speed internet but no cable.
Fubo and DIRECTV Stream
These are the only two major "cable replacement" streaming services that carry CHSN. If you use YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, you’re currently out of luck for local Bulls games. They carry ESPN and TNT for the national stuff, but they haven’t reached a deal with CHSN for the local rights.
Common Frustrations: Blackouts and Technical Glitches
Why is the game blacked out? It’s usually one of two things. Either the game is on a national network like ESPN (which has exclusive rights for that night), or you are technically "in-market" but your provider doesn't carry the channel.
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It's frustrating. You pay for a service, and you still can't see the opening tip. If you’re using an antenna, remember that weather and signal strength can be finicky. Some fans have reported that they need to re-scan their digital tuner every few weeks to keep the CHSN signal from dropping.
Actionable Steps for the Next Tip-Off
To make sure you never miss a game, do these three things right now:
- Check the Schedule: Look at the Bulls' official site or the NBA app to see if the game is labeled "National" or "Local."
- Verify Your Tier: If you have Xfinity or DIRECTV, log in to your account online to confirm you have the "Sports" or "Ultimate" tier.
- Download the App: Even if you have cable, download the CHSN app and link your provider. It’s a great backup for when you’re away from the couch.
If you are still seeing a "Not Available in Your Area" message, double-check your IP address or GPS settings on your device, as streaming services use that to determine which games you're allowed to see.