Live Sports on HBO Max: NBA, NHL, March Madness, and More
Score a front-row seat to your favorite teams with HBO Max’s game-changing Bleacher Report (B/R) Sports content. Here’s everything you need to know!
HBO Max is one of my favorite services that gives subscribers access to live games from MLB, NHL, NBA, March Madness, and U.S. Soccer. It features select sports events that air on TBS, TNT, and truTV—all seamlessly integrated into HBO Max.
The service offers live sports at no extra cost with its Standard and Premium plans starting. That means Basic With Ads subscribers must upgrade to a higher-tier plan to enjoy live sports on HBO Max.
Keep reading to get an overview of how much sports content HBO Max has to offer, and how much it would cost per month or year.
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How much do HBO Max plans that include live sports cost?
You’ll need a Standard ($18.49/mo.) or Premium ($22.99/mo.) plan to watch live sports on HBO Max.
It’s worth noting that even at the higher end of its price range, the B/R Sports content hub offers an affordable way to access live sports from TBS, TNT, and truTV. The next cheapest way to get those channels is through Sling TV—starting at $45.99/mo.
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
How to watch sports on HBO Max
To watch sports on HBO Max, head over to the Sports tab on HBOMax.com or the HBO Max app. There, you’ll find an extensive lineup of live and on-demand sports content. You can also browse through HBO Max’s full sports schedule and catch available highlights and full-event replays.
Live sports on HBO Max
Sports on HBO Max gives subscribers an exhilarating lineup of events, including 300+ live games per year. There’s national MLB, NBA, and NHL coverage and select matchups from the men’s March Madness tournament. Meanwhile, soccer fans can enjoy USMNT and USWNT friendlies and U.S. Soccer competitions like the SheBelieves Cup.
Beyond games, the add-on offers exclusive driver cams for every NASCAR Cup Series race and studio shows like Inside the NBA. Below is a partial list of HBO Max’s sports content.
- 24 Hours of Le Mans
- All Elite Wrestling
- AEW Collision
- AEW Dynamite
- Bellator Champions Series
- Inside the NBA
- MLB on TBS
- MotoGP World Championship
- NASCAR on TNT
- NASCAR Driver Cam
- NASCAR In-Season Tournament
- NBA on TNT
- NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
- NHL on TNT
- U.S. Soccer
- USMNT and USWNT friendlies
- SheBelieves Cup
Pro tip: Even without live sports access, HBO Max Basic With Ads subscribers can still enjoy premium HBO Sports programs—including fan favorites like Hard Knocks.
Other ways to watch TBS, TNT, and truTV
Several options exist if you want to access TBS, TNT, and truTV without HBO Max. Most cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services offer the three channels. If you go that route, you’ll get 24/7 coverage from each network—not just sports programming.
The most cost-effective way to enjoy TBS, TNT, and truTV is with Sling TV’s Sling Blue plan. It costs $45.99/mo. and has over 35 other channels, so you can enjoy a popular mix of sports and entertainment.
Is HBO Max Standard or Premium worth it for live sports?
HBO Max provides exceptional value for those who want access to live sports from TBS, TNT, and truTV. The only caveat of sorts is that you need a Standard or Premium base plan. That means Basic With Ads subscribers, who previously enjoyed live sports without an upcharge, will need to upgrade their plan.
While this change may be disappointing for some, upgrading to the Standard plan ($18.49/mo.) remains more cost-effective than the previously planned $10.99/mo. add-on fee. Plus, Standard and Premium plans offer additional perks like live HBO channels, CNN Max access, and offline downloads.
If you already subscribe to a live TV service that carries TBS, TNT, and truTV, you can keep that. But for cord-cutters looking for an affordable way to stream live sports, HBO Max remains a solid option. Just remember that the service only simulcasts live sports—it doesn’t offer 24/7 viewing of channels like TBS, TNT, and truTV.
The next most affordable way to access those three channels is through Sling TV at $45.99/mo.
Live sports on HBO Max FAQ
What sports does HBO Max have?
HBO Max features live MLB, NBA, and NHL games throughout the year. Available to Standard and Premium subscribers, the hub also includes most NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games and select U.S. Soccer matches featuring the USMNT and USWNT. Outside of live sports, HBO Max subscribers can watch Hard Knocks and other HBO Sports content.
Will all March Madness games be on HBO Max?
HBO Max will only stream March Madness games airing on TBS, TNT, and truTV. Therefore, any men’s NCAA Tournament matchup shown on CBS won’t appear on HBO Max. To watch those games, you’ll need a Paramount+ Premium subscription or a TV service that includes CBS.
Is HBO Max streaming NBA games?
As of 2026, HBO Max no longer streams NBA games that used to air on TNT. The NBA's new media deal replaced TNT with NBC, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video for NBA games.
Are live sports free on HBO Max?
Yes, live sports are included at no extra cost to all HBO Max subscribers with a Standard or Premium plan ($18.49–$22.99/mo.).
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com sports editor, Taylor Kujawa, has been tracking live spor content on HBO Max since its launch. He combined hands-on experience with in-depth research and competitive analysis to assess its features, pricing, and overall value for sports fans. This guide summarizes his findings to help current and prospective HBO Max subscribers navigate and maximize their sports coverage within the service.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
