The Chicago Cubs are one of the most popular and storied franchises in the MLB. With a recent championship under their belt, the Cubs are once again battling to reach the top of the NL Central. If you’re wondering how to watch Chicago Cubs without cable, you’ve come to the right place.
With a streaming service, you can watch most regular season Cubs games on Marquee Sports Network, the Cubs-owned TV channel that launched in early 2020, as well as select events on NBC Sports Chicago and ESPN. In the postseason, you can watch the Cubbies on other channels, including FOX and TBS. In this guide, we’ve reviewed all of the services you can use to watch Chicago Cubs online in 2020. Keep reading to find the one that’s right for you.
Our recommendation
Hulu + Live TV is the clear winner if you’re looking to watch Chicago Cubs live without cable. That’s because Hulu + Live TV is the most cost-effective streaming service that includes access to Marquee Sports Network, where the majority of Cubs games are broadcast.
Streaming services to watch the Chicago Cubs at-a-glance
| Streaming service | Price | Free trial? | Free trial length |
| fuboTV | $65/mo. | Yes – sign up here | 7 days |
| Hulu + Live TV | $55/mo. | Yes – sign up here | 7 days |
| Sling TV | $30/mo. | Yes – sign up here | 7 days |
| AT&T TV NOW | $55/mo. | Yes – sign up here | 7 days |
| YouTube TV | $65/mo. | Yes – sign up here | 7 days |
| MLB.TV | $25 for all teams or $20 for one team | Yes – sign up here | 3 days |
How to live stream the Chicago Cubs
Wondering how to watch Chicago Cubs without cable? It’s easier than you might realize. With one of the following streaming services, you can cheer on your team all season long.
Watch the Chicago Cubs on fuboTV
More sports at home and abroad for just $65/mo.
fuboTV is often known as one of the ideal streaming services for sports fans. You can watch great sporting events from across the globe and can definitely watch a Cubs game online. For just $65/mo., you get more than 115 streaming channels, including NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN, TBS, and multiple FOX channels. Unfortunately, you won’t have Marquee Sports Network or MLB Network, so you will miss out on many Cubs games. But if you are more concerned with a diverse lineup of sports, you’ll find plenty of International and regional sports content. There’s also a cloud DVR feature on fuboTV, which can be incredibly helpful to some.
Your package starts at 115 channels.
fuboTV also includes an on-demand library, so if you missed something live and forgot to tape it, you might find it here. Another option is the variety of TV Everywhere apps that work with fuboTV. These apps often include both live and on-demand content. You can watch fuboTV on computers, mobile devices, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV and many other devices.
fuboTV details:
- Packages start at $65/mo.
- Cancel when you want – no contracts
- More sports coverage than most other services including International sports
- Add more channels for a monthly fee
- An on-demand library and TV Everywhere apps are also part of your package
- Stream on mobile devices, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and more
- Over 115 channels available
- Try the fuboTV free one-week trial
Check out our fuboTV review to find out more details. Start your seven-day free trial on fuboTV now!
Enjoy the largest selection of live sports content! Get 100+ channels with up to 500 hours of online cloud DVR storage and the option to stream on multiple devices simultaneously.
Watch the Chicago Cubs on Hulu + Live TV
Prices from $55/mo. with local channels in many areas.
Hulu + Live TV offers a main package with over 65 channels for $55/mo. This includes important baseball channels like Marquee Sports Network, NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN, FOX, FSN, FS1, NBCSN, and TBS. The only thing missing will be MLB Network. This package should get you most of the MLB coverage you need through the entire season, and you’ll be able to watch the MLB playoffs online too. You’ll also get loads of other channels, Hulu’s popular on-demand library, and access to many TV Everywhere apps. You’ll have the freedom to watch baseball and plenty of other shows and channels with limited commercials. You can even add HBO or Showtime to your package for a small additional fee.
Hulu + Live TV offers the most local channels in streaming.
Hulu + Live TV offers a DVR that comes with 50 hours of space. If you want more space, you can add up to 200 hours for an added fee. You can also upgrade how many streams you’re allowed to watch at one time. The current amount allows for two simultaneous streams, but you can upgrade to unlimited streams for a monthly fee. You can also add HBO and other movie channels. The cost will vary based on the channel you add on. You can watch Hulu + Live TV on mobile devices, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku and more. Plus, you could even watch Chicago Cubs live stream free if you set up your trial at the right time.
Hulu + Live TV highlights:
- Enjoy 65+ channels for $55/mo.
- Hulu + Live TV has more local market coverage than anyone
- With no cancellation costs, you’ll control any changes to your membership
- Stream on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, mobile devices and more
- Watch Hulu’s on-demand content for free
- Get a personal DVR with 50 hours of storage space
- Watch Hulu + Live TV free for one week!
Get 65+ channels along with a library of 80,000+ TV episodes and movies on-demand! Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for even more great content.
Watch the Chicago Cubs on Sling TV
Multiple options to build your own bundle.
You can definitely watch some Cubs games online using Sling TV. Its Sling Blue starting package costs $30/mo. and has around 50 channels in total, so you’ll be able to watch the national broadcast games and playoffs on FOX networks and TBS. If you want ESPN, you’ll need Sling Orange, which is also available for $30/mo. You could also combine the packages and get most of what you need to watch baseball for just $50/mo. However, you’ll find that Marquee Sports Network, NBC Sports Chicago, and MLB Network are missing — but for the price this isn’t a bad option. Sling TV’s lower price point means smaller packages, but they offer several cheap bundle options that can give you several channels for a few dollars. This is going to allow you to create your own package without having tons of channels that you don’t want.
Stream on Amazon Fire devices and other streaming services.
You don’t need to worry about contracts with Sling TV. If you’re not happy with your service or you don’t want a bundle package as much as you thought you did, you can change or cancel your package without facing any added fees. Additional content is available in both the on-demand library and through the use of approved TV Everywhere apps. You can add a cloud-DVR with limited space to your account for a small, added fee. Sling TV will work on mobile devices, tablets, computers, some Smart TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and other devices.
Sling TV details:
- $30/mo. for either starting package or $50/mo. for them both
- Add more sports channels (or other channels) for a small fee
- Single channels like HBO are also available
- No contracts
- Stream on computers, tablets, mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV and more
- Use TV Everywhere apps to watch more live or on-demand TV – an on-demand library is also available
- DVR access is available for a small fee
- Check current offers for new Sling TV subscribers
- Get Sling TV free for a week
Before subscribing, check out the current deals Sling TV is offering. Or, you can start a seven-day free trial right now to watch Chicago Cubs online free. Head over to our Sling TV review for more details on the service.
Sign up for the Orange or Blue Sling TV packages, or get them both to access 50+ channels. Use the add-ons to customize your streaming experience!
Watch the Chicago Cubs on AT&T TV NOW
Choose from two plans and a minimum of 45+ channels.
AT&T TV NOW will be another option to get your Chicago Cubs game live stream. It’s set up similar to Sling TV and also offers Marquee Sports Network (but at a higher cost than Hulu + Live TV). The big difference is the AT&T TV NOW channel list makes it a great solution as a full cable alternative due to its varied streaming packages. To stream Marquee Sports Network and NBC Sports Chicago, you’ll need to sign up for its highest-tier package (the “Premier” package,) which costs $183/mo. In total, there are over 140 channels in the package, so it’s truly meant to replace a cable subscription. If you don’t want to sign up for the Premier tier, you can subscribe to the “Plus” package for $55/mo. Under this tier, you can watch some of this season’s Cubs games on ESPN, TBS or FOX. You can test out this package and get a Chicago Cubs game streaming free with a weeklong trial. Take a look at our AT&T TV NOW review if you have any more questions.
Watch on a variety of streaming devices.
Packages start at $55/mo. You will also be able to watch previously aired content in the on-demand library. If you want more content, you can add on channels like Showtime. HBO is even included in some packages. You can also use TV Everywhere apps to enjoy more TV live or on-demand. They also offer access to a cloud-based DVR, so if you’re going to miss something, you’ll be able to record it. AT&T TV NOW is available on mobile devices, Apple TV, computers, Roku, Fire TV and other devices.
AT&T TV NOW highlights:
- Several package options starting at $55/mo.
- Access to 45+ channels
- The largest package is the best choice for MLB viewing
- Stream Marquee Sports Network, ESPN, FOXSN, NBC Sports Chicago, TBS, FS1 and FOX
- No special equipment required – no cable box or satellite dish!
- Don’t miss the AT&T TV NOW seven-day trial
Watch the Chicago Cubs on YouTube TV
Never miss a baseball game thanks to unlimited DVR storage.
YouTube TV is a great option if you want to watch the Cubs live stream without cable. From ESPN to MLB Network, all of the important networks are represented in YouTube TV’s 85+ channel package. You’ll also have TBS, local channels (these vary by location), and regional networks like FOX Sports and NBC Sports Chicago. Packages start at just $65/mo. You won’t pay any hidden fees and there aren’t contracts, so you’ll be able to cancel on your terms. Your account also includes an on-demand library, so if you miss your game, you might find it there. YouTube TV also provides access to a number of TV Everywhere apps, to increase the amount of live and on-demand content that you receive.
Get started with over 85 channels.
YouTube TV is a great option for mobile streamers as the app is one of the better ones in streaming. Of course, you can also stream on Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV and other devices. Like with most services, YouTube TV provides a cloud-DVR, although this DVR comes with unlimited space. All of your recordings can be held for up to nine months at a time. So, if you like binge-watching you should love the DVR feature.
Highlights for YouTube TV:
- No contracts ever!
- Packages starting at $65/mo.
- Over 85 channels plus optional add-ons
- Unlimited DVR storage
- Hold your recordings for as long as nine months
- Watch with web browsers, Roku, Chromecast, mobile devices, Apple TV and more
- Some popular channels are also missing, but could be added as streaming lineups change
- Try out the YouTube TV free trial
Our YouTube TV review is here to help with any questions you have.
Watch the Chicago Cubs on MLB.TV
MLB.TV could possibly be an option to watch a Chicago Cubs game live stream all season. Every single Cubs game is broadcast on MLB.TV, but your ability to watch it is based on your location. If you sign up to MLB.TV, you’ll be able to choose whether you get access to just one team (in this case, the Cubs) or the entire league. The price will depend on which option you choose. Check out the MLB.TV site for more subscription details and information on the blackouts in your area.
Our MLB streaming guide is a must-read for any and all baseball fans looking to cut cable. Also, if you want to watch sports online, including all of your other favorite teams, we’ve got you covered in our full sports guide.
How to stream the Chicago Cubs on demand without cable
In the case that you don’t want to watch Chicago Cubs live, there are also some streaming platforms that allow you to view games on-demand. You might find that these services are a more cost-effective option if you aren’t interested in getting access to the non-sports related content that other streaming services provide. Here’s an overview of how to watch Chicago Cubs online after the live game is over.
Watch the Chicago Cubs on ESPN+
For the casual Cubs observer, ESPN+ could be a good choice. With ESPN+, you can access thousands of live and on-demand sporting events and ESPN programming. This includes access to on-demand Cubs games from previous seasons, but live games will likely be blacked out if you’re in the greater Chicago area. ESPN+ costs $6/mo. on its own, or you can bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu (not including live TV) for $13/mo.
It’s important to stress, however, that ESPN+ won’t be a good choice if you’re a hardcore sports fan and want access to high-profile live games. You can learn more about ESPN+ in our comprehensive review of the service, or you can sign up here.
Access live sports and additional content with ESPN+. Bundle with Hulu and Disney+ for more great content.
Watch the Chicago Cubs on MLB.TV
As previously discussed, MLB.TV is suitable for Cubs followers who don’t live in the Chicago market and want to watch live games. But it’s also a good option for fans around Chicago who only want to view games on-demand. With a well-timed free trial, you could even watch Chicago Cubs online free for a few days.
With an MLB.TV subscription, you can view replays of all Cubs games no matter where you are. You can either sign up for access to just Cubs content or all MLB teams, depending on your preference. Find out more about the service and sign up here.
Our hot take
It’s become a bit trickier to watch Chicago Cubs online since the team launched the Marquee Sports Network in early 2020. However, some streaming services offer the channel, so you can certainly watch your team as they battle to win another World Series title. With a subscription to Hulu + Live TV or AT&T TV NOW, you can catch every game on the Chicago Cubs schedule this season.
