FOX is the second pillar of US sports broadcasting alongside ESPN, with a footprint built almost entirely around live event rights — the NFC NFL slate, MLB’s Saturday afternoon and the postseason, the FIFA World Cup, the Big Ten Conference, the USFL spring football league, and a chunk of NASCAR. Less analysis, less studio footprint than ESPN, but stronger live event coverage in any given week from September through November. The FOX broadcast network’s NFL Sunday afternoon doubleheader is the second-most-watched window in American TV, period.
The FOX streaming setup is split. FOX Sports app for cable subscribers — covers everything FOX broadcasts, with TV Everywhere authentication. Tubi for FOX-owned free streaming, including Super Bowl simulcasts and a chunk of FOX Sports library. FOX Nation for FOX News tie-in content. Fox Sports 1 and 2 cable channels for the secondary windows — FS1 for big NFL studio content and college football, FS2 for soccer, NASCAR support, and the smaller live windows.
What FOX broadcasts in the US
NFL NFC slate — FOX broadcast network for the Sunday afternoon doubleheader. The NFC games go to FOX, AFC games go to CBS. The doubleheader window rotates between FOX and CBS week to week.
MLB Saturday afternoon and postseason — FOX’s Saturday afternoon “Game of the Week” runs from late spring through the regular season. FOX holds the World Series rights in odd-numbered years (with FOX broadcasting the Series annually since 2000). The League Championship Series alternates with TBS — FOX has the NLCS in odd years and ALCS in even years for the standard rotation.
FIFA World Cup — FOX holds US English-language rights through 2026. The 2026 World Cup hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico is the headline FOX Sports event. Telemundo holds the Spanish-language rights.
USFL — FOX co-owns and broadcasts the spring football league. USFL games air on FOX, FS1, and the FOX Sports app from April through July.
Big Ten Conference — FOX is the lead Big Ten broadcaster, with Big Ten Saturday Night running on FOX in primetime. CBS, NBC, and Peacock split the rest of the Big Ten football package starting 2024-25.
NASCAR Cup Series — FOX broadcasts the first half of the NASCAR Cup season (Daytona 500 through the All-Star Race), then NBC takes over. Truck Series races split similarly.
Soccer (limited) — FOX held US Premier League rights through 2013, then lost to NBC. Currently carries Bundesliga via the FOX Soccer Match Pass app (separate subscription) and select international friendlies. The FIFA Women’s World Cup runs on FOX broadcast and FS1.
MLS — Carried select MLS matches under the previous linear deal, ended 2022 when Apple TV+ took the league.
Tubi and FOX free streaming
Tubi is FOX’s ad-supported free streaming service. Carries select FOX Sports content as a complement to the broadcast network — typically the Super Bowl FOX broadcasts, the FIFA World Cup, and the USFL games. Free with email signup. The 2024 Super Bowl simulcast on Tubi pulled the streamer’s biggest live audience to date. Tubi’s library otherwise focuses on TV reruns and licensed films.
What it costs
FOX broadcast network is free over the air with an antenna or any cable package. FS1 and FS2 require a cable or streaming-cable bundle — YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, or Sling Blue ($45). The FOX Sports app authentication is free with cable login. Tubi is free with ads.
What FOX doesn’t carry
Premier League (Peacock), Champions League (Paramount+), La Liga (ESPN+), MLS (Apple TV+), NBA (ESPN/TNT through 2024-25, then ESPN/NBC/Amazon from 2025-26), NHL (ESPN/TNT), Serie A (mostly Paramount+), Olympics (NBC), Tennis Majors (ESPN/NBC depending on event).
Frequently asked questions
How do I watch FOX NFL games for free? Free over the air with an antenna in any US market. The FOX Sports app authenticates with cable login for streaming.
Where’s the World Cup on FOX in 2026? FOX broadcast network for the marquee matches plus FS1 for the secondary fixtures. Telemundo Deportes holds the Spanish-language rights. Streaming via the FOX Sports app and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo.
Is Tubi free? Yes. Tubi is FOX’s ad-supported free streamer. Email signup required.
Does FOX still have soccer rights? Limited. Bundesliga via the standalone FOX Soccer Match Pass app, select international friendlies, and the FIFA World Cup. Lost the Premier League to NBC in 2013.
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