Why Watching the Padres Without Cable Is Complicated

The San Diego Padres play the majority of their regular-season schedule on FanDuel Sports Network San Diego — the regional sports network (RSN) that replaced Bally Sports San Diego in 2024. RSNs are the primary obstacle for cord-cutters: most major streaming platforms dropped regional sports networks after failing to agree on carriage fees with the rights holders. YouTube TV, standard Hulu + Live TV, and Sling Orange all lack RSN access in most markets.

The good news is that a handful of streaming services still carry FanDuel Sports Network San Diego, and national broadcasts on ESPN, Fox, FS1, Apple TV+, and Peacock cover a meaningful portion of the schedule. This guide walks through every realistic option — paid and free — so you can follow the Padres without a traditional cable bundle.

Option 1: FuboTV — Best Overall for San Diego Viewers

FuboTV is the streaming service most consistently recommended for regional sports network coverage. In the San Diego market, its Pro plan includes FanDuel Sports Network San Diego, giving you live access to nearly every Padres home and away game on the RSN.

1. Go to fubo.tv and select the Pro plan. Pricing starts around $80 per month as of 2026 — check the site directly for current rates and any active promotional discounts.
2. Enter your San Diego-area zip code during sign-up so the system assigns the correct regional feed.
3. Download the FuboTV app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV, iOS, Android, or stream in any desktop browser.
4. Open the app and navigate to Sports → Baseball or search for the San Diego Padres in the channel guide to find today's game.
5. New subscribers receive a 7-day free trial. Cancel before the trial ends if you are only evaluating the service for a short series.

FuboTV also carries ESPN, FS1, MLB Network, and local Fox affiliates, so national Padres broadcasts are covered in the same app alongside the RSN feed.

Option 2: DirecTV Stream — Reliable RSN Alternative

DirecTV Stream's Choice plan and higher tiers include regional sports networks in supported markets. In the San Diego area, this includes FanDuel Sports Network San Diego. No satellite dish is required — it is a fully streaming-based service with no annual contract.

1. Visit directv.com/stream and compare plan tiers. The Choice plan starts around $108 per month — verify current pricing and enter your zip code to confirm RSN availability before you subscribe.
2. Complete sign-up, then download the DirecTV Stream app on your smart TV, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, or Android device. You can also stream in a browser at stream.directv.com.
3. Once logged in, search for FanDuel Sports Network San Diego in the channel list, or browse the Live Sports section to find the current Padres schedule.

DirecTV Stream costs more than FuboTV but has a longer track record for keeping RSN carriage agreements intact and maintaining consistent channel lineups through contract renewal periods.

Option 3: MLB.TV for Out-of-Market Fans

If you live outside the San Diego market — in another state, in Canada, or anywhere not covered by FanDuel Sports Network San Diego — MLB.TV is the most affordable and comprehensive way to follow the Padres through a full season.

The critical limitation: local blackouts apply. MLB.TV checks your IP address and device location. If you register inside the San Diego blackout territory, local Padres games will not stream. Out-of-market viewers face no such restrictions and can watch every Padres game live or on demand.

1. Go to mlb.com/tv and choose a plan. A single-team subscription covers only the Padres and costs less than the full-league package.
2. Create or sign in to your MLB.com account to complete the purchase.
3. Install the MLB app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Android, or a web browser.
4. Open the app, search for San Diego Padres, and select a game. Games not blacked out in your location stream immediately after tapping.

MLB.TV also provides a free game of the day for all subscribers each day of the regular season, accessible regardless of market restrictions.

Free Options: Apple TV+, Peacock, and OTA Antenna

You do not always need a paid streaming service to catch a Padres game. Three free or low-cost routes cover select matchups throughout the season:

• Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball: Apple streams a national MLB doubleheader every Friday night completely free — no Apple TV+ subscription is required. Watch on any iPhone, iPad, Mac, or browser at tv.apple.com, or through the Apple TV app on Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices. Check the MLB schedule early each week to see whether the Padres are one of the featured teams.
• Peacock Sunday Leadoff: NBCUniversal's Peacock service carries select Sunday morning games under its Sunday Leadoff package. A Peacock subscription starts around $8 per month and includes a broad range of sports, movies, and TV beyond baseball.
• Over-the-air (OTA) antenna: Some Padres games broadcast on KSWB Fox 5 San Diego, a free over-the-air channel. A basic digital OTA antenna — available at electronics stores for $25 to $50 — plugs into your TV's coaxial input. Run a channel scan in your TV's settings menu and KSWB will appear as a free channel with no monthly fee. You also pick up ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS for free.

How to Watch on Any Device

Every major streaming option for the Padres works across a wide range of hardware. Here is a quick device reference to help you get set up:

• Smart TV: FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, MLB.TV, Peacock, and Apple TV+ all have dedicated apps for Samsung, LG, and Vizio smart TVs. Open your TV's built-in app store and search for the service name if the app is not pre-installed.
• Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick: Every service in this guide has an app in the Roku Channel Store and the Amazon Appstore. A Roku Stick 4K or Fire TV Stick 4K costs roughly $50 and turns any HDMI-equipped television into a full streaming device.
• Apple TV: Apple TV+ is built into the device. FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, MLB.TV, and Peacock all have dedicated Apple TV apps available from the tvOS App Store.
• iPhone or Android phone: Download the streaming service's app from the App Store or Google Play. Watch directly on your phone or cast to a TV using AirPlay (iOS) or Google Cast (Android).
• Web browser: FuboTV at fubo.tv, DirecTV Stream at stream.directv.com, MLB.TV at mlb.com/tv, and Peacock at peacocktv.com all support full browser-based streaming — no app installation required on a laptop or desktop.

For the most reliable living-room experience, plug a streaming stick or box into your TV's HDMI port and use its remote to switch between services as the Padres schedule requires.

Which Service Is Right for You?

Your location and how much of the schedule you want to watch determine the best choice:

• You live in San Diego and want every game: FuboTV Pro (typically around $80/month) or DirecTV Stream Choice (around $108/month). Both carry FanDuel Sports Network San Diego. FuboTV is usually cheaper; DirecTV Stream has a stronger track record for keeping RSN deals intact. Verify availability by entering your zip code on each site before subscribing.
• You live outside San Diego: MLB.TV single-team plan is the most affordable option, covering every out-of-market game without paying for a full live TV bundle.
• You want free coverage with minimal cost: Set up an OTA antenna for KSWB local broadcasts and bookmark Apple TV+ for Friday Night Baseball. After a one-time $25 to $50 antenna purchase, your monthly cost is zero.
• You travel between San Diego and other markets: MLB.TV covers you when you are away from San Diego; switch to FuboTV or DirecTV Stream when you return to market and find a game blacked out on MLB.TV.

Streaming prices and RSN channel agreements change regularly. Always confirm that FanDuel Sports Network San Diego is included for your specific zip code directly on the provider's website before purchasing a plan, and check for free trial offers so you can verify the experience before committing to a monthly subscription.