Are you a die-hard basketball enthusiast eager to watch NBA live? As the excitement of slam dunks, buzzer-beaters, and intense playoff battles unfold, finding the best way to catch all the action is crucial.
In Canada, NBA fans have many options to ensure they never miss a game. From traditional cable subscriptions to online streaming services, this guide will help you navigate the various avenues to keep cheering for your favorite teams—all season long!
Let’s jump in!
How to watch NBA in Canada: challenges and solutions
If you’re reading this, you’re probably well aware of the challenges of watching NBA games in Canada. Unlike our neighbors to the south who have access to a wide range of broadcast options, Canadians often face restrictions due to geographical limitations and broadcast rights.
But fear not! There are myriad ways to overcome these obstacles and catch all the action right from your living room.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular methods.
Watch NBA live via cable TV subscriptions
Cable TV has been the go-to option for sports fans for decades, and it remains one of the most reliable ways to watch live NBA games in Canada. With channels like TSN and Sportsnet broadcasting games throughout the season, cable subscribers can enjoy high-quality live coverage of their favorite NBA teams.
However, cable TV subscriptions can be expensive and require lengthy contracts, making it a less appealing option for some viewers. TSN, for instance, costs around $19.99 per month and locks you down for at least a year. Moreover, the live broadcasts for games are split between TSN and Sportsnet, meaning you may have to subscribe to both channels to catch all the action.
Still, if you already have cable, you can watch many of the games on your television without any hassle. Plus, some cable providers even offer additional features such as DVR services to record games and re-watch them at your convenience.
How to watch NBA games without cable?
But let’s say that traditional cable TV subscriptions are not an option for you, or perhaps you’re looking for more flexibility in your viewing options. In that case, you can use online streaming services to watch NBA games.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of streaming services for live streaming NBA playoffs. It’s only a matter of finding the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
The great thing about streaming services is that they offer more control and flexibility than traditional cable TV subscriptions. You can choose from a variety of packages and plans, many of which don’t require long-term contracts. Plus, you can stream games on multiple devices, such as your phone or laptop, making it easier to catch the action wherever you are.
Where to watch NBA in Canada online: top streaming options
So where can you watch NBA in Canada online? The following are some of the most popular online services that allow you to stream NBA games.
Stream NBA games with League Pass
When it comes to watching NBA games online, League Pass is perhaps the most popular option. This service allows you to stream live games, replays and highlights all season long. With a subscription to League Pass, you can watch every game from any 30 teams in Canada.
However, one downside of League Pass is that it does not specifically provide access to local games for teams within your region. So if you’re a Toronto Raptors fan living in Toronto, you won’t be able to stream their games live on this platform.
A league pass subscription costs $14.99/monthly, and you can cancel anytime. You also have the option to purchase a premium season pass, which costs $22.99 and provides access to all games from every team. There’s also a league pass premium option, which includes additional features such as live stats and game replays.
Watch the NBA live on Fubo TV
FuboTV is another popular streaming service that you can use to watch NBA online. With this service, you can stream games from TNT, ABC, and NBA TV. However, like League Pass, Fubo TV does not offer local games for teams within your region. It may also not be available in your region (geo-locked) depending on your location. That said, there is a way to get around this limitation, which we’ll cover in a later section.
A basic subscription to Fubo TV costs $32.99 per month and includes other sports channels such as ESPN and CBS Sports Network. New users can also take advantage of a 7-day free trial to test out the service before committing to a subscription, plus a discount for the first month ($19.99 as of this writing).
NBA live on TSN+
If you prefer to watch NBA games on Canadian channels, then TSN+ is a great option. This stand-alone streaming service offers live NBA coverage as well as other sports events and programs.
As for pricing, a TSN+ subscription starts at around $8 per month (plus tax) and includes other TSN channels such as TSN 2, 3, and 4. But as mentioned earlier, this streaming platform only covers half of the live broadcasts in Canada. Nevertheless, if TSN is your preferred channel for sports coverage, or you are okay with missing some games, then this may well be the right option for you.
Stream NBA with Sportsnet
Similar to TSN, Sportsnet also offers a standalone streaming service for sports fans. With this option, you can access live NBA games as well as other popular sports events and programs.
Pricing for the Sportsnet streaming service starts at $15 per month, which makes it more expensive than TSN+. However, it does offer a wider range of sports channels and coverage, so it may be worth the investment for some viewers.
ESPN+
As the official broadcaster of the NBA in the US, ESPN+ is a great option for Canadian viewers who want access to all the games. This streaming service offers live coverage of every game, including local team games, as well as replays and highlights.
An ESPN+ subscription will cost you $10.99 per month ( $11.99 per month starting on 10/17/2024), or $109.99 per year. If you’re a fan of other sports as well, this may be a cost-effective option as ESPN+ also offers coverage of other popular leagues such as the NHL and MLB.
How to watch NBA live if a streaming service is not available?
Unable to watch NBA live from your desired streaming service? As we’ve mentioned earlier, geo-locking can be an issue for some streaming services. This means that the content is only available in certain regions and not accessible outside of those areas.
The good news is that you can bypass this limitation by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to connect to servers in different locations, making it seem like you’re accessing the service from within that region. By doing so, you can unblock access to NBA streaming services that are normally not available from your location.
For example, let’s say that you’re unable to access Fubo TV in your area. Here’s how you can unblock it with ClearVPN — a user-friendly VPN service that features dedicated servers for unblocking many popular streaming services (including Fubo TV):
- Assuming that you already have the ClearVPN app running and installed on your device (Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS), all you have to do is tap/click on “Locations” button.
- Next, tap/click on “Streaming services”.
- Then select the streaming service that you wish to unblock, which in this case is FuboTV.
It’s actually that easy! As long as the VPN connection is active, Fubo TV will think that you’re accessing their service from a location where it’s typically available. Note that the exact steps will differ slightly on other VPNs, but the idea is to connect to a server in a region where your desired streaming service is accessible. Also, in the same way, you can unblock F1 TV to watch it live in Canada or ESPN+ to watch EPL live.
FAQs
Is the NBA free with Amazon Prime?
No, NBA games are not free with Amazon Prime. However, Amazon Prime offers some NBA-related content and access to Prime Video Channels, where you can subscribe to sports streaming services like NBA League Pass for an additional fee.
Is NBA on Fubo Canada
Yes, but the availability of live NBA games on Fubo TV in Canada may vary depending on your location and regional broadcasting rights. For instance, some games may be blacked out in certain regions due to local coverage by other channels.
Can I use an NBA League Pass in Canada?
Yes, you can use NBA League Pass in Canada. However, please note that live games involving local teams may be subject to blackout restrictions. This means you won’t be able to watch your local team’s games live on the service.