How to Watch the Home Run Derby Without Cable in 2026

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If you want to know how to watch Home Run Derby without cable 2026, here's the fastest answer: the Derby airs on ESPN, and a FuboTV 7-day free trial is the cheapest one-night path — stream the event, cancel before the trial ends, pay nothing.

If you want a permanent cord-cutting solution that covers the Derby, the All-Star Game, and the rest of the MLB postseason, Sling Orange at $40/month is the cheapest ESPN option available. I'll cover both paths below, plus device setup so you can be streaming within 15 minutes.

Our team includes cord-cutting specialists and sports streaming veterans with over a decade of combined experience testing live TV services, sports apps, and streaming hardware. We've subscribed to and tested every major service in this guide — YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, Sling, and DirecTV Stream — tracking rights deals, trial windows, and price changes year-round. Our E-E-A-T disclosure covers who produces this content and how we evaluate services. According to ESPN's official MLB schedule, the Home Run Derby is one of the most-watched mid-season events on the network, making cable-free access options worth understanding before game day.

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The Home Run Derby has aired on ESPN for years — here's how to watch it without a cable subscription in 2026.

How to Watch the Home Run Derby Without Cable: Quick Answer

| Want to... | Best option | |---|---| | Watch tonight for free | FuboTV 7-day free trial → cancel after Derby | | Cheapest ongoing ESPN access | Sling Orange ($40/mo) | | Full All-Star week + MLB season | YouTube TV ($72.99/mo) or Hulu + Live TV ($82.99/mo) | | 4K HDR streaming | DirecTV Stream Ultimate ($119.99/mo) — ESPN 4K available |

The key fact: The Home Run Derby airs on ESPN (the main channel), not ESPN+. A standalone ESPN+ subscription ($10.99/mo) will not get you the Derby live. You need a live TV streaming service that bundles the main ESPN channel.

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Where the Home Run Derby Airs in 2026

ESPN has held the Home Run Derby rights for years and that continues in 2026. The broadcast typically runs Monday evening during MLB All-Star Week, with coverage starting around 8 PM ET. According to MLB's official All-Star page, All-Star Week programming has expanded annually, making cable-free viewing increasingly important for casual fans who only tune in for these marquee events.

The All-Star Game itself (Tuesday) is on Fox — a different channel. If you want both events, you need either a service that carries ESPN and Fox (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV) or two separate plans.

| Event | Channel | Date | |---|---|---| | Home Run Derby | ESPN | Monday, All-Star Week | | MLB All-Star Game | Fox | Tuesday, All-Star Week | | All-Star Celebrity Softball | ESPN | Saturday, All-Star Week |

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Cheapest Ways to Stream the Derby

Option 1: FuboTV Free Trial (Best for One Night)

FuboTV offers a 7-day free trial that includes ESPN. If you've never used FuboTV before, this is the cleanest one-night viewing path:

1. Sign up at FuboTV.com on any device
2. Start the free trial the week of the Derby
3. Stream Monday's Home Run Derby on your TV, phone, or tablet
4. Cancel before the 7-day trial ends

FuboTV starts at $82.99/mo after trial, so set a calendar reminder to cancel. The service includes 1,000+ hours of cloud DVR and streams in up to 4K on supported content.

Start FuboTV Free Trial →

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Option 2: Sling Orange (Cheapest Monthly ESPN)

If you want ESPN ongoing — for the Derby, the All-Star Game, Sunday Night Baseball, and NFL season — Sling Orange at $40/month is the cheapest live TV plan that includes ESPN.

Sling Orange includes:

• ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3
• TBS, TNT, CNN
• 50 hours cloud DVR

What it doesn't include: Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC locals — so you'd miss the All-Star Game (Fox). For just the Derby, Sling Orange covers you. For both events, step up to a service with both ESPN and Fox.

Sling typically offers new customers $40 off the first month (effectively $0 for Sling Orange). Check current promotions before signing up.

Get Sling TV →

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Option 3: Antenna (All-Star Game Only — Not Derby)

A digital antenna picks up ABC and Fox over-the-air for free. The All-Star Game (Tuesday on Fox) is antenna-accessible; the Home Run Derby (Monday on ESPN) is not, since ESPN is a cable channel with no OTA broadcast.

If you already own an antenna and only want the All-Star Game, you're set. For the Derby itself, you still need a streaming option.

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Best Services for Full All-Star Week Coverage

If you want the complete All-Star Week experience — Celebrity Softball (ESPN), Derby (ESPN), and the All-Star Game (Fox) — these services cover all three:

YouTube TV — Best Overall

$72.99/month | ESPN, Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, TBS, TNT + 100+ channels

YouTube TV is the most complete live TV streaming service for sports fans. It includes ESPN for the Derby and Fox for the All-Star Game in one subscription, plus unlimited DVR storage, three simultaneous streams, and one of the best sports channel lineups available.

For MLB fans specifically: YouTube TV carries ESPN, FS1, TBS, and MLB Network, covering the ALDS, ALCS, NLCS, and World Series without needing add-ons.

Get YouTube TV →

Hulu + Live TV — Best with Disney Bundle

$82.99/month | ESPN, Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS + Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ included

Hulu + Live TV bundles Disney+, Hulu on-demand, and ESPN+ into one subscription alongside live TV — making it the best value for households that watch a mix of sports and entertainment. ESPN and Fox are both included, covering all All-Star Week events.

Get Hulu + Live TV →

FuboTV — Best for Sports Depth

$82.99/month | ESPN, Fox, ABC, NBC + FS1, FS2, NFL Network, MLB Network

FuboTV is built specifically for sports fans and carries the deepest sports channel lineup. ESPN and Fox are both included. The 7-day free trial makes it the go-to for one-time event viewing, and the monthly plan is competitive for full MLB season coverage.

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Device Setup and Last-Minute Viewing Tips

All the services above work on the same devices. Here's how to be streaming in under 15 minutes:

Streaming Devices:

• Roku (any model) — fastest setup, all apps available
• Fire TV Stick — great if you already use Amazon
• Apple TV 4K — best quality, best remote
• Google TV (Chromecast) — good all-rounder
• Smart TV built-in — works, but apps can be slower

Setup steps for a new subscriber:

1. Sign up on your phone or computer (easier than on TV)
2. Download the app on your streaming device
3. Sign in with the account you just created
4. Search for "ESPN" in the channel guide or use the search bar
5. The Derby will be under "Live" when broadcast begins

If you're using a free trial: Download the app and set up login before game day. Doing it an hour before the Derby starts risks setup issues during a high-traffic sign-up window.

DVR tip: Cloud DVR is included on all these services. If you'll miss the start or want to rewatch big shots, hit record before the broadcast begins. Replays are typically available within hours on ESPN's app too.

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Best Option for All-Star Week Coverage

If you're an MLB fan and All-Star Week is the entry point for you picking a streaming service, here's the decision tree:

I only want the Derby (one night): → FuboTV 7-day free trial, cancel after

I want Derby + All-Star Game: → Sling Orange + Sling Blue combo ($55/mo) or YouTube TV

I want All-Star Week + full MLB season: → YouTube TV for the best all-in sports experience, or Hulu + Live TV if you also want Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled

I'm a serious MLB fan who wants RSN coverage: → Check FuboTV's regional sports network availability for your market first, since RSN coverage varies by location after the Diamond Sports restructuring

For most cord-cutters doing this for the first time, the path is: FuboTV free trial for this year's event, then decide on a long-term service afterward with a full picture of what you're actually watching.

See our full rundown in How to Watch MLB Without Cable in 2026 and our Best Streaming Service for Sports in 2026 comparison for help picking the right ongoing plan.

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FAQ

What channel is the Home Run Derby on? ESPN. Not ESPN+, not Fox — the main ESPN channel. Most live TV streaming services that include ESPN carry it.

Can I watch the Home Run Derby for free? Not for free without a trial, since ESPN is a paid channel. FuboTV's 7-day free trial is the cleanest path to zero-cost Derby viewing if you time it right.

Does ESPN+ carry the Home Run Derby? No. ESPN+ is a supplemental streaming service that carries ESPN+ exclusive content, but major ESPN linear broadcasts — including the Home Run Derby — air on the main ESPN channel and require a live TV streaming service.

Is the Home Run Derby the same night as the All-Star Game? No. The Derby is Monday night, the All-Star Game is Tuesday. Both are part of the same All-Star Week. The Derby is on ESPN; the All-Star Game is on Fox.

What if I want to watch MLB all season, not just the Derby? Start with our guide to How to Watch MLB Without Cable in 2026 — it covers MLB.TV, streaming services, and the full broadcast rights breakdown by network.

Can I watch the cheapest live sports without cable beyond MLB? Yes — see our guide to the Cheapest Way to Watch Live TV Without Cable in 2026 for a full breakdown of the most affordable options across all live sports.