Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Watch college football on any screen with our live streaming guide

how to watch college football streaming live online flickr
Jonathan Street / Shutterstock
Streaming has been a revelation for TV fans of all kinds, allowing them to watch shows whenever they want, at the pace they want. Several sports leagues have taken note, offering streaming services for fans who want to watch games on their computer, set-top box, game console, or mobile device.

Sadly, college football is a bit behind the times, lacking a comprehensive Game Pass like the NFL has. Still, there are a few legitimate ways to stream NCAA games (and a great many less legitimate ways for the more unscrupulous among us).

Recommended Videos

Streaming options and other info

WatchESPN
(Web | iOS |Android | Xbox | Roku | FireTV)

watchespn_square_logoESPN’s online streaming service covers all the sports the network shows, including college football. The service requires users to have ESPN as part of their cable subscription, but it is a comprehensive service, allowing you to watch games on pretty much any device through the apps or website. Beyond the games, WatchESPN also includes programs like SportsCenter.

ESPN also has a similar app available on Xbox One. In addition to streaming games and clips, the ESPN app on XBOX also includes fantasy football functionality, allowing users to track their matchups and scores on screen.

CBS College Sports Live
(Web | iOS | Android | Roku)

Part of CBS’s advanced media collective, College Sports Live does exactly what the name implies, providing live streaming of various college games. College Sports Live provides access to all the games CBS covers, as well as additional content like press conferences and news pieces. CSL is available on computers, as well as iOS and Android devices. It requires a subscription, starting at $10/month, but unlike WatchESPN you do not need a cable or satellite subscription. For those who can’t afford a pay TV service, College Sports Live is a much cheaper alternative to ESPN’s service.

Reddit

reddit-alienReddit’s hobby forums (subreddits, in the site’s jargon) are generally a great place for fans of any subject to gather and share information, and the college football subreddit (r/CFB) is no exception. Fans of the sport can find anything they need here: articles, discussions, highlights. This subreddit is also a good place to find game schedules and links to streams (legal or otherwise).

Pirate streams

The services provided by ESPN and CBS require a subscription of some sort, and they won’t necessarily have every game. For those who find even these services too inconvenient or expensive, it’s not hard to find unlicensed streams online. Such streams are legally (and ethically) dubious. Broadcasters like ESPN pay a lot of money for the rights to show football, and neither they nor the NCAA are pleased by pirate streams. Still, they are there if one wants them. Many of these sites are hosted in other countries, further muddying the waters as to how intellectual property laws apply. Online football forums like the aforementioned subreddit are generally a good place to find them.

Be warned: the life of digital banditry is fraught with peril. A lot of these streaming sites will bombard you with pop-up ads, and some even try to get you to install malware (perhaps there can be honor among thieves, but definitely not on the Internet). Always be wary of sites demanding you install programs. In general, if your computer can play Youtube videos, it can probably load a stream without additional software.

Will Nicol
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Will Nicol is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends. He covers a variety of subjects, particularly emerging technologies, movies…
Where to watch Bengals vs. Chiefs: NFL Week 2 live stream
Joe Burrow holds the football and runs.

One of the best rivalries in the NFL writes its next chapter on Sunday afternoon. Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) head to Arrowhead Stadium to play Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) in the NFL's game of the week. The Bengals are coming off a terrible 16-10 loss to the New England Patriots (1-0), while the Chiefs bested the Baltimore Ravens 27-20 (0-1) in the NFL Kickoff Game.

Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL. However, Burrow is one of the only quarterbacks with a winning record (3-1) over Mahomes. Burrow even did the unthinkable by beating Mahomes in Kansas City in the 2022 AFC championship game to advance to the Super Bowl. All the evidence points to another classic game in Week 2.
Watch the Bengals vs. Chiefs live stream on CBS and Paramount+
https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/1834625198953250903

Read more
How to watch Bills vs. Dolphins on Thursday Night Football
Josh Allen stares on the football field.

Thursday Night Football returns to Prime Video for the 2024 NFL season. Tonight's Week 2 game features Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills (1-0) flying to South Beach to take on Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins (1-0). This is a matchup between AFC East rivals. The last time these two teams played was in Week 18 of last season, with the Bills winning 21-14 to clinch their fourth straight division title.

Thursday night's game feels more important than usual for only the second week of the season because of the divisional component. The winner will have the inside track in the race for the AFC East. Below, you'll find live-stream information on how to watch Thursday Night Football.
When and where is the game between the Bills and Dolphins?
https://twitter.com/NFLonPrime/status/1833959683863838841

Read more
How to watch Jets vs. 49ers on Monday Night Football
Aerial view of Levi's Stadium where the San Francisco 49ers play.

Only one game remains on the NFL's Week 1 schedule, and it's one of the best. Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets head to Levi's Stadium to take on Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers. It's the first Monday Night Football game of the season. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will call the game from the booth, with Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge reporting from the sidelines.

Rodgers' 2023 campaign ended in four plays after an Achilles' injury. The four-time MVP is healthy and back under center for the Jets, who will look to end their 13-season playoff drought. San Francisco is coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. The 49ers have the weapons on both sides of the ball to make their third Super Bowl in six seasons.
Watch the Jets vs. 49ers live stream on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1832603953776799982

Read more