As subscription streaming services increasingly control access to games previously available on free TV and basic cable, many fans are expressing their discontent.
Fans Want Free TV Access
A recent survey indicates that a significant number of both sports fans and non-fans believe major sporting events should be accessible on free broadcast television. The survey found that 72% of sports fans think major sporting events should be required to stay on free broadcast television, while 60% of non-fans agree. Only 27% of fans and 38% of non-fans think leagues should be allowed to shift games to paid streaming services.
The Cost of Watching Games
For many fans, the cost of watching their favourite team is becoming a problem. Nearly 6 in 10 sports fans say they’ve skipped watching a game at least a few times in the past year because it was too expensive. About one-third say this has happened “many times.”
Accessibility Issues Frustrate Fans
Even fans prepared to pay are encountering difficulties. Nearly half of fans have skipped games because they found it too difficult to find or access them. Roughly the same share say they’ve only rarely or never been sidelined.
Survey Details
- The survey was conducted between March 20–23, 2026.
- The survey interviewed 1,001 registered voters.
- The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points for the full sample.
- The margin of sampling error is ±3.5 points among sports fans and ±6 points among non-sports fans.
The survey considered the views of registered voters, with nearly three-quarters considering themselves sports fans.