How to watch the Chicago Cubs without cable
| Team | Chicago Cubs |
|---|---|
| League | MLB — NL Central |
| Home market | Chicago, IL |
| Local games | Marquee Sports Network (verify current carriage) |
| National games | FOX, FS1 and TBS |
| Best RSN coverage | DirecTV Stream, FuboTV |
Best services to watch the Chicago Cubs
Local Chicago Cubs games need Marquee Sports Network, where DirecTV Stream and FuboTV lead; national games air on FOX, FS1, TBS.
| Service | Our score | From /mo | Free trial | Streams | Cloud DVR | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DirecTV Stream | 8.7 | $87 | 5 days | Unlimited at home | Unlimited | you want a cable-like experience with regional sports networks and unlimited in-home streams |
| FuboTV | 9.0 | $80 | 7 days | Up to 10 at home | Unlimited (varies by plan) | you want a sports-heavy lineup with a high channel count and lots of simultaneous streams |
| YouTube TV | 9.3 | $83 | Varies | 3 | Unlimited | you want a broad, mainstream lineup with unlimited DVR and reliable local channels in most areas |
| Hulu + Live TV | 9.0 | $83 | Varies | 2 (unlimited add-on) | Unlimited | you want live TV bundled with a huge on-demand library plus Disney+ and ESPN+ |
| Sling TV | 8.6 | $40 | None (occasional promos) | 1 (Orange) / 3 (Blue) | 50 hours included | you want the cheapest route into live sports and news and don't rely on local broadcast channels everywhere |
Prices are starting monthly prices seen at last review and exclude taxes/fees. Always confirm the current price and channel lineup on the provider’s site.
Prices are starting prices and coverage varies by ZIP code — confirm the channels that carry Chicago Cubs games for your area first.
Where Chicago Cubs games air
Chicago Cubs games split two ways. Local games air on Marquee Sports Network, the team’s regional sports network, so confirm carriage before you pay. National games air on FOX, FS1, TBS, which most services include. For the league-wide picture, see how to watch the MLB without cable.
Step by step
- Confirm Marquee Sports Network is carried for your ZIP code.
- Pick a service above and start the plan — use a free trial first if offered.
- Install the app on your TV, streaming device, or phone.
- Open the live guide on game day and find the Chicago Cubs.
Frequently asked questions
What channel are Chicago Cubs games on?
Local Chicago Cubs games air on Marquee Sports Network; national games are on FOX, FS1 and TBS. Verify current carriage, as RSN line-ups change.
What is the cheapest way to watch the Chicago Cubs?
Among full-lineup services, Sling TV is usually cheapest at $40/mo, but confirm it carries Marquee Sports Network first — the cheapest plan is useless without the local games.
Which streaming service carries Marquee Sports Network?
DirecTV Stream has the broadest regional sports network coverage, with FuboTV close behind. Availability is ZIP-specific, so use the channel finder to confirm Marquee Sports Network before subscribing.