Sports Streaming Costs Have Risen 26% in Five Years, Lucky Rebel Analysis Finds

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sports fans could pay more than $2,260 annually to subscribe to eight platforms, according to analysis from Lucky Rebel.

The combined monthly cost of the services analysed rose from $149.95 in 2021 to $188.86 in 2026, an increase of 26%, or almost $39 a month.

Subscribing to every platform throughout the year would cost $2,266. The total illustrates the cost of taking all eight subscriptions, rather than the amount every sports fan needs to spend.

The findings accompany Lucky Rebel's Sports Streaming Inflation Calculator, which examines subscription costs as broadcasting rights become increasingly spread across multiple providers.

• Apple TV+ records the biggest increase
• Apple TV+ recorded the largest percentage increase, with its monthly subscription rising from $4.99 to $12.99, up 160.3%.
• Peacock increased by 120.2%, followed by Amazon Prime Video at 66.7%. Netflix rose 42.9%, NBA League Pass increased 37.9%, and NFL Sunday Ticket climbed 28.6%.
• MLB.TV was the only service analysed to become cheaper, with its monthly equivalent cost falling 3.8%.
• Coverage spread across multiple platforms

Around two decades ago, an expanded cable package costing approximately $45 monthly typically included ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic and Fox Sports Net, alongside ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC affiliates.

Today, depending on their sports and leagues, viewers may use YouTube TV, NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, MLB.TV, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Netflix. With rights divided between providers, fans may need several subscriptions to access the coverage they want.

Fans report missing games

Consumer research cited by Lucky Rebel found that nearly six in ten sports fans had skipped a game because access was too expensive. Around one third said this had happened multiple times. Meanwhile, 46% of Americans reported missing an entire game because they could not identify where it was streaming. The same proportion had missed part of a game for this reason.

Among people without sports streaming subscriptions, 30% said illegal streams were easier than navigating multiple paid platforms.

Calculator estimates future spending

Lucky Rebel's calculator lets users select their sports, teams, subscriptions and how long they have been fans. It estimates annual streaming bills, compares current costs with 2021 prices and projects spending over 10, 20 and 30 years.

Methodology

• Lucky Rebel compared historical and current subscription prices for services covering sporting competitions. Prices from 2021 were compared with 2026, using monthly equivalents for annual or seasonal subscriptions.
• For YouTube TV, the earliest comparable price available was used. The historical cable comparison used an expanded package costing approximately $45 monthly in 2006.
• Longer term calculator figures are projections, rather than guaranteed future subscription costs.

About Lucky Rebel

Lucky Rebel is an online sportsbook and casino offering sports and live betting, casino games and live casino games. The platform also offers promotions and a player rewards programme, with a focus on providing an accessible online betting and gaming experience.

SOURCE Lucky Rebel