Being a sports lover but also a sports bettor being able to watch live sport is a must.
It used to just be Foxtel was the only way to watch live sport but the landscape is always changing.
Many bookies are now live streaming games which can make it easier than ever to watch your favourite sports. Almost all sports now have their own streaming services from their mobile apps.
I have compiled a list of the ways that you can legally watch live sport in Australia. There are other ways you can get streams for free online that try to get around the legalities of copyright but I would not recommend these.
Watching the legal streams will hopefully make it cheaper for all as more people use the services but will make more services available through them with more future features.
Foxtel Now
18 Dedicated sports channels including Fox Sports, Bein Sports, ESPN, Fox League, AFL Footy Play + more.
Even though the AFL app can be much cheaper the ability to be able to watch every game live on a big screen tv makes this a great decision for any AFL fan.
The only issue I have with the Foxtel now subscription is that you have to also purchase one of their “basic” packs which adds an extra cost to the subscription even though it is minimal, but hopefully they will think about removing that soon.
Foxtel sports pack subscribers are eligible to access beIN SPORTS CONNECT at no extra cost using their Foxtel login details. To login simply visit the login page on the beIN SPORTS CONNECT website or app, click the Foxtel icon and enter your eligible Foxtel account details.
I have been subscriber to Foxtel now for a while now and it has been perfect for me. I had previously missed being able to watch sport and for me normal Foxtel was no worth the large costs involved, but after discovering Foxtel now I signed up almost instantly.
While I was enquiring about a new phone I noticed that some of the Telstra plans also incorporate a Foxtel now package but I do not believe this includes a sports pack.
My current Foxtel Now plan offers me to have the subscription on 4 devices but only 2 devices can be active at one time, so I have it on my PS4, iPhone and Telstra Tv box.
Optus Sport
EPL Soccer
Even though Floptus had some issues with their streaming service during the world cup I do believe this was due to the sheer number of people using the service. I have used the service for the start of the EPL season so far and it has not let me down yet.
If you have an existing Optus service, you may be eligible to add Premium access as an optional extra at no extra cost. If you’re not with Optus but the Sport premium can be purchased for a per month cost.
Even though the $15 a month does sound expensive unfortunately for Australians we do not have any other options to legally watch the EPL.
Optus sport can be watched on your TV at home is you have access to one of the following
Fetch
Apple TV
Chromecast
XBOX one
FireTV
Or through your computer
You can sync up to 4 devices with an Optus sport subscription.
Bein sports connect
Bein sports now has their own streaming service to watch their channels live and on demand. They currently have a 2-week free trial on their service. Bein sports mainly is just non-stop soccer so if that’s your game of choice it is a good option, but unfortunately does not have the EPL.
Current sports and leagues
Soccer
EFL Championship – England
EFL League One – England
EFL League 2 – England
Serie A – Italy
Bundesliga – Germany
LaLiga Santander – Spain
Ligue 1 – France
MLS – USA
WTA tennis
European Champions Cup Rugby
International Rugby
BetEasy
BetEasy has SkyRacing 1 and 2 Live and can watch while betting in their app.
Sky Racing is not included in in any Foxtel now packages so is great to be able to watch it without having to pay for the full Foxtel product or having to go down to the pub.
Being the AFL’s betting provider they have AFL vision to be able to watch the AFL games live. This gives non-Telstra Customers an option to watch all games at no cost.
They are also expanding their soccer streaming to now include English league Cup, Copa Libertadores, Japan J League, Spanish LaLiga, EFL Championship, French Ligue 1 and many more.
Sportsbet
Sportsbet has a huge range of sports that it streams including
Tennis
MLB baseball
+ more
I hope that Sportsbet increases their range of sports that can be live streamed. They are at the forefront of giving punters what they want and this is definitely a punting must have.
AFL Live App
If you are a Telstra customer the AFL live app is free to stream all AFL games live, as well as being able to watch completed games on demand.
Non-Telstra customers can have full access to the app for a very reasonable annual fee. You can download the app for free and at the time of writing also offer a two-week trial to be able to test out how valuable the app is before being charged.
One issue that I have with the app is when overseas a different fee applies. At the time of last year’s grand final, I was fortunate enough to be travelling overseas but the fee to just watch the grand final was quite large.
Bet 365
With a large range of games streamed on their service and being one of the first to have a streaming service, Bet365 has an ever-expanding range which include
Soccer
Tennis
And too many more to name
Even fringe sports like table tennis can be streamed.
Bet365 currently advertise that over 60,000 sporting events are streamed on their service. This shows that they are serious about streaming sport and hopefully will look at adding more of the popular leagues and sports in Australia.
NBA Live Pass
Is only for NBA but has complete access with live access to the playoffs and approximately 90% of games during the home and away season. Full length replays included as well as post game interviews and press conferences.
HD resolution will depend on each customers device, service provider and other configurations.
They do have some minimum system requirements so be sure to check those out.
NFL Game Pass
Watch every NFL game live or on demand on your device, with over 250 games in the regular season plus the playoffs.
The game pass is quite expensive but is the only way to access every game.
One good thing is they do have an option where you can watch your favourite teams 20 pre-season and regular season games at a discounted cost.
They also have a free trial that you can cancel anytime. A 3-instalment payment plan is also available.
Currently the NFL Game Pass app can also be downloaded on XBOX one, PS4, Apple Tv, Roku, Amazon fire tv, android tv in addition to your mobile devices.
A fantastic option available on NFL live pass is the ability to download games so that can be watched offline. During the NFL season many games are played at the same time so it is now possible to download the other games you didn’t get a chance and watch at a more convenient time.
Cricket Australia
Unfortunately, the cricket Australia only streams live games of the Australian cricket season on home soil. I hope this changes in future years but at this time this restriction is in place.
I have been unable to find the cost of having the live streaming available due to the Australian domestic season downtime.
I personally believe the new change from channel 9 to Foxtel and channel 7 will allow for all games to be watched with a combination of 7plus and Foxtel now, but this remains to be seen.
The cricket Australia app is still a handy app to download because you can access live scores, interviews and articles related to Australian and world cricket.
I personally use the AFL app, Foxtel Now, Optus sport and bet easy. These subscriptions cover most of the sport that I like to watch with Foxtel now and BetEasy being essential to me. As a Telstra customer the AFL app is free to me but I could also get by with watching all the games on Foxtel now if you were looking to just have the one. After being frustrated with the rest of Australia with Optus sport during the world cup, I have not seen any issues since the start of the EPL season so far.
What apps are your favourite to watch sport? Have I missed any that other sports lovers would like to know? Comment below.
