where to watch celtics
You can watch Boston Celtics games this season through a mix of national channels, local regional sports networks, and streaming services, depending on where you live and whether you want cable or streaming only.
Where to Watch Celtics (2025–26)
1. Main channels that show Celtics games
Most Celtics games fall into two buckets: national broadcasts and local Boston-area broadcasts.
- National TV:
- ABC (regular season marquee games and NBA Finals).
* ESPN and NBA TV.
* NBC (new national package for the NBA).
* Amazon Prime Video (select national games as part of the new media deal).
* Peacock (some exclusive national games and simulcasts of NBC-produced games).
- Local Boston market (New England region):
- NBC Sports Boston carries most regular-season Celtics games for in-market fans.
If you’re outside New England, you usually won’t get NBC Sports Boston, so you’ll rely more on national games and NBA League Pass.
2. Streaming options (no traditional cable)
If you prefer streaming, several live TV services and standalone apps can cover most or all Celtics games.
Live TV streaming bundles (one-app “cable replacement”)
Look for packages that have NBC Sports Boston (if you’re in-market) plus ESPN,
ABC, and NBA TV.
Common options include:
- YouTube TV
- Includes ESPN and ABC, plus the NBC broadcast network.
* Some NBA games that are listed as Peacock exclusives may be accessible via NBC’s sports feeds; Peacock itself can be added separately through YouTube Channels.
- Hulu + Live TV
- Carries ESPN and ABC, plus local NBC stations in many markets.
- Fubo
- Includes ESPN and ABC, as well as NBC in most regions.
- DIRECTV Stream
- Includes ESPN and ABC, NBC, and offers NBA League Pass as an add‑on.
- Sling TV
- Carries ESPN and ABC (with ABC games accessed via ESPN3); NBA League Pass can be added.
Availability of NBC Sports Boston varies by service and your location, so checking your ZIP code on the provider’s site is important.
3. Standalone and add‑on services
Even without a big bundle, a few specific apps are key for watching the Celtics.
- NBA League Pass
- Streams out‑of‑market Celtics games that air on local networks like NBC Sports Boston (if you live outside New England).
* Also offers access through some platforms like Amazon Prime Video as an add‑on.
- Peacock
- Shows NBC-produced NBA games, including some Celtics games on Peacock and NBC.
* In-market viewers can add NBC Sports Boston to Peacock for an extra monthly fee on top of the base subscription.
- Amazon Prime Video
- Streams a set of nationally televised NBA games as part of the league’s new deal; the Celtics are scheduled for multiple Prime-exclusive games in 2025–26.
* You can also purchase NBA League Pass through Prime Channels.
- ESPN/ABC access (via “ESPN Unlimited” and Disney ecosystem)
- Games produced by ESPN and ABC are accessible through ESPN’s streaming offerings; some may be simulcast on Disney+.
4. Free or cheaper ways to watch
There are a few ways to catch some games without committing to a full, long‑term subscription.
- Free over‑the‑air broadcasts
- Games on ABC and NBC can be watched with a simple HD antenna if you’re in range of local stations.
* This also covers any Celtics NBA Finals games aired on ABC.
- Trial periods
- Live TV streaming services like DIRECTV Stream and Fubo sometimes offer free trials, which can cover a handful of games if you time them around big matchups.
Remember that “free” methods described in some fan forums often include unlicensed streams; these can violate copyright laws and carry security risks, so sticking to official sources is safer.
5. If you’re outside the U.S. or New England
Where you live changes your best option.
- Outside the Celtics’ home market (still in the U.S.):
- NBA League Pass is usually the simplest way to watch most regular-season Celtics games, plus you’ll still get the nationally televised games on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Prime Video, and Peacock via a local provider or streaming service.
- Outside the U.S.:
- NBA League Pass often functions as the primary legal streaming option for full games, though exact availability and blackout rules vary by country.
* You may also find select national games on local sports channels when the Celtics play your local team.
6. Quick reality check table
Here’s a compact view of common scenarios and where to watch:
| Situation | Best primary option | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Live in Boston/New England, want every game | Live TV bundle + NBC Sports Boston (e.g., YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream) plus national channels | Most regular-season games on NBC Sports Boston, plus national games on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Prime Video, and Peacock. |
| Live outside New England (U.S.) | NBA League Pass + basic access to ABC/ESPN/NBC/Prime/Peacock | Out‑of‑market Celtics games via League Pass, plus national TV games via local providers or streaming services. |
| No cable, just streaming, in‑market | Peacock with NBC Sports Boston add‑on + live TV streaming service | Local NBC Sports Boston games on Peacock, national games on streaming bundle channels. |
| Want some games free | OTA antenna for ABC/NBC + streaming trials | Marquee national games and possible Finals on free broadcast, a few extra games during trials. |
| International fan | NBA League Pass (international version) | Most Celtics games live or on‑demand, subject to local blackout rules. |