To watch sports on YouTube TV, search for your team or league and tap Add to record every game, or watch live from the Live tab. Which games you get depends on the channel: national networks work anywhere in the U.S., local channels follow where you are, and regional sports networks follow your home area.
YouTube TV is built with sports fans in mind: unlimited recording, spoiler controls, live stats and multiview. The confusing part is why a game is available one day and missing the next, and that comes down to which kind of channel carries it. Once you understand national, local and regional networks, everything else falls into place.
How to follow your team
- Search for your team, league or event.
- Open its page and select Add.
- Every current and upcoming game it airs is recorded to your Library.
- Watch live from the Live tab, or later from the Library.
Adding a team saves you hunting for each game. One exception from YouTube TV's help: NFL RedZone has to be added itself if you want its full 8-hour block recorded; adding a team or league isn't enough.
Which games you can watch, and where
| Channel type | Examples | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| National networks | ESPN, TNT | Anywhere in the U.S. |
| Local affiliates | Your local CBS, FOX, NBC | Your current location |
| Regional sports networks | Your home team's regional network | Your home area |
This is the insight that explains most "missing game" complaints. YouTube TV says regional sports networks depend on your home area, and you can watch and record them regardless of where you currently are. Local affiliate games, though, follow your current location, so when you travel to another city you'll see that city's local games instead. National network games work anywhere.
Hide scores so nothing spoils the game
- Open YouTube TV.
- Go to the team or league page and select More.
- Turn on Hide all scores for this team/league.
YouTube TV says this applies across all your devices. For big leagues like the NBA, NFL and MLB you can hide scores team by team; smaller leagues without team pages are hidden at league level. It's essential if you record games to watch later.
Stats, key plays and fantasy while you watch
- Stats view: real-time stats linked to the moment you're watching, so a recorded game won't spoil itself.
- Key plays: jump through the big moments to catch up on a game you started late.
- Scores: live scores and standings across the league.
- Fantasy football: link an ESPN or Yahoo fantasy account and follow your team during NFL games.
On a smart TV, select the Scores & stats button at the bottom right while watching. On a phone, swipe right to left along the bottom of the screen.
Watch several games at once
On busy days, multiview shows up to four live channels on one screen in the YouTube TV app for TVs. You pick which game you hear, and you can jump any game to full screen. It isn't available in a web browser.
Recording games you can't watch live
Because YouTube TV records without storage limits, the simplest habit is to add every team you care about and let it record everything. Pair that with hidden scores, and you can watch a game hours later without knowing the result. Stats view is tied to the point you've reached in the recording, so even checking stats mid-game won't spoil the ending. When you're short of time, key plays let you jump through the big moments of a long game in a few minutes.
Watching on the go
On the phone app you can watch live sports and recordings, and swipe along the bottom of the screen for stats, scores and key plays. If you cast from your phone to a TV, YouTube TV says you can keep browsing stats on the phone while the game plays on the big screen, and a key play you pick plays on the TV. It's a handy way to keep the TV picture clean while still following the numbers.
When a game won't play
- You're travelling. Local channels switch to where you are; your home local games won't be available.
- Location settings are wrong. Check your home area and current playback area in YouTube TV's Location settings.
- Blackout or restriction. YouTube TV notes some sporting events may not be available in your area.
- It's on a channel you don't have. Some games need an add-on or a different network.
If you share the account at home, my guide to cancelling YouTube TV explains what happens to recorded games if you pause between seasons, and YouTube videos not playing covers basic playback fixes.
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My verdict
Add your teams so every game records, turn on Hide all scores for anything you watch late, and use stats and key plays to catch up. When a game goes missing, think about the channel first: regional networks follow your home area, local channels follow where you are.
Frequently asked questions
How do I watch sports on YouTube TV?
Search for your team or league and tap Add to record games, or watch live from the Live tab.
Can I watch my home team's games while travelling?
Regional sports network games, yes, based on your home area. Local affiliate games follow your current location instead.
How do I hide scores on YouTube TV?
On a team or league page, select More and turn on Hide all scores for this team/league.
Does YouTube TV show live stats during games?
Yes. Stats, key plays and scores views are available while you watch.
Can I watch more than one game at once?
Yes. Multiview shows up to four channels on one screen in the TV app.
Can I see stats on my phone while the game is on my TV?
Yes. When casting, YouTube TV lets you swipe through stats, scores and key plays on your phone while the game plays on the TV.
Why can't I record NFL RedZone by adding my team?
YouTube TV says you need to add NFL RedZone itself to record its full block.
