Cricket Broadcasting in the USA 2026: Where to Watch Matches

Cricket Broadcasting in the USA 2026: Where to Watch Matches

Published July 2026 — by TopCricketStore Gear Team.

Gone are the days when watching cricket in America meant hunting for grainy streams or waiting for delayed highlights. In 2026, US cricket fans have more viewing options than ever before — dedicated cricket channels, mainstream sports networks, streaming platforms, and even free-to-air options. Whether you want to watch the IPL at breakfast, MLC on a summer evening, or international Test cricket on demand, here's your complete guide to cricket broadcasting in the United States.

1. Willow TV: The Cricket Specialist

Price: $9.99/month (streaming) or via cable/satellite packages
Content: IPL, PSL, BBL, CPL, international cricket, MLC (select matches), ICC events
Best for: Hardcore cricket fans who want comprehensive coverage

Willow TV is the undisputed home of cricket in America. Owned by Times Internet (the digital arm of the Times of India group), Willow has been serving US cricket fans since 2010 and holds rights to more cricket properties than any other US broadcaster. If you want to follow multiple leagues and international series, Willow is the essential subscription.

What Willow Carries in 2026:

• Indian Premier League (IPL): Every match live, plus highlights and analysis shows
• International Cricket: India home series, Australia home series, England home series, Pakistan home series, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and more
• ICC Events: T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, World Test Championship, U19 World Cup
• T20 Leagues: PSL, BBL (Big Bash League), CPL (Caribbean Premier League), The Hundred, SA20
• Major League Cricket: Select MLC matches (shared with other broadcasters)

How to Access Willow TV:

• Streaming: Willow TV app (iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, smart TVs). Direct subscription at willow.tv.
• Cable/Satellite: Available as a channel on Dish Network, Sling TV (in the Desi Binge Plus package), and Spectrum (select markets).
• DirecTV: Available as part of international packages.

2. ESPN+: Cricket Goes Mainstream

Price: $10.99/month (or bundled with Disney+ and Hulu for $14.99/month)
Content: Select MLC matches, select USA internationals, ICC event highlights, occasional marquee matches
Best for: Casual fans and American sports enthusiasts curious about cricket

ESPN's entry into cricket broadcasting marks a significant milestone for the sport in America. While ESPN+ doesn't carry the volume of cricket that Willow does, its involvement brings cricket to a broader American audience through the ESPN brand — a trusted name in US sports. When ESPN+ carries a cricket match, it's promoted alongside NBA, NFL, and MLB content, putting cricket in front of millions of mainstream sports fans.

What ESPN+ Carries in 2026:

• MLC: Select regular season matches and all playoff/final matches — often with ESPN-produced American commentary
• USA Cricket: USA men's and women's international matches, including T20Is and ODIs
• ICC Events: Highlights packages and select live coverage of T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup matches (especially those involving the USA)
• Original Content: ESPN-produced cricket documentaries and features introducing the sport to American audiences

How to Watch: ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service available through the ESPN app on all major platforms. No cable subscription required.

3. Hotstar US: IPL & Indian Cricket

Price: $9.99/month
Content: IPL, India home internationals, Indian domestic cricket, original cricket programming
Best for: Indian cricket fans who want Hindi/regional language coverage

Hotstar (now part of Disney+) offers US-based fans a direct pipeline to Indian cricket. If your primary interest is the IPL and Indian national team matches, Hotstar provides an experience tailored specifically for that audience — including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and other regional language commentary options.

Hotstar's IPL coverage is particularly strong, with multi-camera angles, expert analysis in multiple languages, and behind-the-scenes content that Willow's more general coverage doesn't match. However, Hotstar doesn't carry non-Indian cricket, so it's a supplement to (not a replacement for) Willow if you follow cricket globally.

4. Other Platforms: NBC, YouTube & More

NBC/Peacock: NBC will be the primary US broadcaster for cricket at the LA 2028 Olympics. Leading up to 2028, NBC Sports has shown increased interest in cricket content, including highlights and documentary programming. Expect NBC's cricket coverage to ramp up significantly as the Olympics approach.

YouTube: Several cricket boards and leagues offer free highlights, match replays, and even live streams on YouTube. The ICC, England Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia, and PCB all maintain active YouTube channels with free content.

MLB Network / Regional Sports: There have been exploratory discussions about carrying MLC matches on regional sports networks (RSNs) in markets with MLC teams, similar to how MLS built its broadcast footprint.

5. Complete Platform Comparison

6. Free Cricket: What's Available Without a Subscription

Not ready to commit to a paid subscription? Here's what you can watch for free:

• YouTube (Official Channels): ICC, England Cricket, Cricket Australia, PCB, and most cricket boards post match highlights, classic matches, and documentary content free on YouTube.
• Local Club & League Streams: Many US cricket leagues now stream their matches free on YouTube or Facebook. The Garden State Cricket League, SCCA, and others offer free live streams.
• MLC Free Streams: MLC occasionally offers free streaming for select regular-season matches to grow the audience.
• Social Media Highlights: Twitter/X and Instagram are excellent for quick-match highlights and viral cricket moments.

7. Using VPNs for Cricket Streaming

Some cricket content available in other countries (free-to-air coverage in the UK, Australia, or India) is geo-blocked in the US. A VPN can unlock this content, but with important caveats:

• Terms of Service: Using a VPN to access geo-blocked content may violate the streaming platform's terms of service.
• Quality: VPN connections can reduce streaming quality and introduce buffering.
• Legal: While using a VPN is legal in the US, accessing content in violation of terms of service exists in a gray area.

Our Recommendation: With Willow TV at $9.99/month and ESPN+ at $10.99/month, the legal, high-quality options are affordable and convenient enough that VPN workarounds are rarely necessary for US cricket fans.

8. Best Viewing Setup: Gear for Cricket Fans

Make your cricket viewing experience as good as being at the ground:

• Smart TV or Streaming Device: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick — all support Willow TV and ESPN+ apps. A 4K TV with good motion handling is ideal for cricket's fast-moving ball.
• Sound System: Cricket commentary and crowd atmosphere benefit from a good soundbar or surround system. The roar of a packed stadium is half the experience.
• Team Jersey: Wear your colors while you watch. Browse our full range of USA, IPL, and international team apparel at TopCricketStore.
• Cricket-themed snacks: Samosas, pakoras, and chai are traditional, but cricket is an all-day affair — plan your snacks accordingly!

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