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College football is back for another year. While the bulk of the games pick up next week, you can watch some this Saturday. Games are spread across more than a dozen networks and streamers, and we’ve combed through them all to identify what you need to know when it comes to how to watch college football, with an emphasis on nationally broadcast games.
The season kicks off with a Florida State vs. Georgia Tech game on ESPN. You can also catch games on ESPN2, FS1, ABC, and the CBS Sports Network this weekend. While some games are available locally depending on where you live, some of the best match-ups this year will be nationally broadcast. If you don’t have cable, don’t worry. We’ve identified tons of streaming services to watch games on, from cheaper services that only carry specific networks to elaborate cable alternatives.
Below, we’ve put together everything you need to know about watching college football this season. We also have a guide on how to watch NFL games and the best sports streaming services you can subscribe to this year.
- See also: How to watch WNBA games | How to watch MLB | How to watch CNN
How to watch College Football in the US
As with the NFL, college football is spread across several broadcasters and streaming services. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, NBC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, ABC, FS1, FOX, the Big 10 Network, and the CW are among some of the main ways to watch the games. Of course, you can also catch some games through regional sports networks and other means if you’re local.
If you’re only looking to watch a game that’s on NBC, you can subscribe to Peacock’s Premium Plus tier for $14. Likewise, if you’re only looking to watch a game on CBS or the Big 10 Network, you can subscribe to Paramount+. You’ll need to opt for the Paramount+ with Showtime tier for $13 a month to access CBS live streaming options. Paramount+ offers one-week free trials for new users.
Peacock is a convenient streaming source for hit NBC TV shows, Universal movies, and select sports like Sunday Night Football. Prices start at $8 a month, with additional discounts on annual plans.
Paramount Plus offers a huge library of on-demand content from Paramount, CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and MTV. The Premium Plan also includes Showtime and live CBS streaming. It costs $12 a month or $120 a year
Select ABC and ESPN games will be available on ESPN+, which costs $11 a month. This isn’t a guaranteed way to see all ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU games, but several will be available here.
ESPN Plus is designed for sports, giving subscribers access to live MLB, NHL, NFL, soccer, golf, and UFC fights. You can pay $11 monthly or go for an annual deal, which saves you about $22 a year. There’s also a bundle with Hulu and Disney Plus, which offers an even better discount.
If you don’t have cable and you’re looking for a way to see almost all nationally broadcast games, it’s probably time to check out a live TV package. Sling TV and Fubo can both do the trick. When it comes to Sling, you’ll need to subscribe to the Sling Orange + Blue plan for $55 per month to access ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, and select local channels (like FOX, ABC, and NBC, but not CBS). You can also opt for some sports-centric add-ons, which add things like the SEC Network or the Big 10 Network for an additional cost.
Sling TV offers some of the best cable channels for $55 or less. There are three different tiers to choose from, plus several sports and entertainment-specific add-ons, but the Orange + Blue combo is the best way to get the most major sports channels. Plus, you can usually get about half off your first month.
With a few exceptions, Fubo is the best live streaming option to catch most nationally broadcast games. It carries ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, SEC Network, Big 10 Network, the CW, and more. Plans start at $80 per month, and new customers can get a one-week free trial. This is an especially sports-friendly service that will also help you out with many NFL games this season.
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it’ll cost you extra.
How to watch College Football from anywhere
If you’ll be traveling away from home during any big games, you can still keep up with your subscriptions using a VPN (virtual private network). This is a handy tool that enables you to change your electronic device’s virtual location so that you can use your usual websites and apps from anywhere. Since the services we’ve highlighted require US payment methods, this option will work best for Americans traveling abroad.
ExpressVPN is our go-to recommendation due to its easy-to-use interface and hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN review for additional details, and keep reading to learn how to use a VPN.
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that makes it exceptional. Better yet, you can save up to 49% and get an extra three months for free today.
How to watch College Football with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don’t have one.
- Install it on the device you’re using to watch.
- Turn it on and set it to the location of your desired streaming service.
- Sign up for the streaming service you want using a US payment method.
- Enjoy the game.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
Lillian Brown
Associate Editor of Streaming
Lillian Brown is the Associate Editor of Streaming for Business Insider. She joined the company in early 2024 as a Fellow before joining us full-time a few months later. She focuses on ‘how to watch’ guides for streaming services and live events for the Reviews team. She also covers VPN usage.Her entertainment writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including Vulture, TV Guide, Time, Esquire, and The Daily Beast, among others. She specializes in writing about film and television. Previously, she worked in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe.When not teaching people how to stream the best live sports and TV shows, Lillian can be found long-distance running, watching the latest season of For All Mankind, or playing through The Last of Us Part II on her PS4 yet again.
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