There were only a few minutes left before the game, and I was out of the house with just my phone and the clinic's internet. I decided I would watch soccer online.
I usually gave up on watching live, preferring to see the highlights later, but nothing compares to the excitement of real-time action. That day, I watched the game live using just my phone and the internet.
Watching games online through websites
The first attempt was the most common and natural to happen. I typed in Google "watch live game" and other similar expressions, like "watch Corinthians now" and "see the match in real time". I found several results, thousands of pages that promised delivery.
However, it didn't work. The websites are not reliable for this. Because in all the ones I entered, and believe me, there were at least 20 sites, I couldn't see the images clearly. In addition to the excessive advertisements, the stream kept freezing every minute.
At first, I thought it could continue like this. But I started losing patience and couldn't watch the plays the way I was used to. When a shot was about to happen, the screen would freeze. And suddenly, the game was already 1-0.
How much will it cost me to watch the live games?
Already nervous, what I did was close the pages and take a deep breath. I began to think about the best alternative to watch the game live, regardless of how much it would cost. After all, the match was for a spot in the championship final. And that was one of the many games I wanted to see.
I started to contemplate the possibilities of having some program or subscription that would allow me to watch the championships in real time without any interruptions. Another thought crossed my mind: with the subscription, maybe I could also watch games from other teams and from anywhere.
That way, I wouldn't need to rush home from wherever I was. And I could even establish a kind of habit of watching the games according to the championship schedules. Yes, definitely, I began to search for broadcasters, channels, or sports companies.
You can watch live games on your mobile for free
And you know what I discovered that was most incredible of all: it was possible to watch several live football and other world sports games without having to pay. At least, in the first days and months, in what is called the free trial. It was all I needed at that moment.
Especially because among various apps, I didn't know exactly which one would be the best for me. And testing the options would be a great idea. The idea worked for me, and now I have only one game app on my phone and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
I admit that I pay the monthly subscription, but without any regrets because I can watch several live streams on the phone screen. However, in this text, I won't talk about that but rather about how my tests were with various apps that allow live streaming.
Just download the app, sign up, and start watching the matches
Before I share my experience, please note that to start watching the live matches, the first thing to do is to download the app of interest, which is usually free. Then, the person must create an account with personal information – and that's the most boring part of it all.
However, after filling out the form, which takes no more than a few minutes, you can already log in, have access, and use the functions/tools each of them provides. Some are worth it because they have exclusive programs and much more.
Therefore, my intention is not to lie or fabricate information. On the contrary: downloading each of the existing apps and signing up is not the fun part. But I can assure you that after doing so, you will have the information you need to watch live matches in the best possible way.
Star+
I had already read news that the Disney group, which includes Star+, had grown a lot, including in the sports world. That's why this was the first one I looked into. Plans start at R$ 27.90 per month. And it would be interesting for me, as I have kids.
On the sports side, Disney dominates broadcasters of well-known football games such as ESPN and Fox Sports. For me, these are the two biggest in the country. The broadcasts are constant, and every day there are programs or news from the football world.
Watch Star+ for free
With Star+, you can watch international tournaments such as the Copa Libertadores de América, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League. The national league includes the main competitions in Argentina, France, Spain, and more.
The downside is that nowadays, unlike when I signed up, you can no longer have the free trial days. You can still cancel the subscription after the first month and with no interest. However, even though it's just a trial, the person still has to pay the monthly fee.
SporTV
Another very famous football channel is SporTV. And I found out that, just like it, Premiere is also part of the Globo Group. Everything happens through Globoplay. And, as I mentioned, I also tested their app.
Through the Globo sports channels, people can watch state championships, the Copa do Brasil, the Brasileirão, and international tournaments like the World Cup. The broadcaster has also been paying a lot of attention to other sports like volleyball, basketball, and surfing.
Watch SporTV for free
A Globoplay subscription starts at R$ 14.90 per month. For those opting for the combo with SporTV, the monthly cost rises to at least R$ 42.90. And for those interested in the mega sports combo, which also includes Premiere, it goes up to R$ 59.90.
The good news is that Globoplay offers a free 7-day trial for new subscribers. This way, you can watch live games without paying. However, this is only during this trial period. It is important to note that after this period, the subscription will start to be billed automatically.
HBO Max
Recently, HBO has gained strength by offering a vast catalog of options for people who, like me, enjoy watching live football, including international matches. So, I didn't think twice and decided to give it a try. Besides, there are many good series available as well.
The reason I found HBO was because I discovered that it is responsible for TNT Sports, which was my main objective. The standout feature is UEFA Champions League, which allows for exclusive broadcasts, as well as coverage of some regional matches.
Watch TNT Sports for free
When I downloaded the app, TNT Sports was looking to gain market share and therefore offered a very nice trial package. That way, I got an initial subscription that would only be charged after the 7th day, similar to what happens with Globoplay.
One incredible feature I found was that the cost for the mobile version was lower than for those watching on multiple screens. At that time, the price was R$ 19.90 for the mobile version, while the other option was R$ 27.90, with quarterly plans, which are more rewarding.
DAZN
Finally, I went after a curiosity that many people I knew talked about, DAZN. It's like a streaming service that has some broadcasting rights. The prices are usually very affordable, as they were created for online broadcasts.
Well, I liked the idea. DAZN was my choice for testing, although it could have been DirectGO. I preferred DAZN because at the time it had some games of my interest, including state championships and less accessible series, such as the second division.
Watch DAZN for free
To my surprise, DAZN proved to be very functional. With a monthly cost of R$ 19.90, it allows people to have a simple and easy-to-use platform. However, during my testing, I noticed some instability in the streams.
Among all the tested apps, this was one of the least appealing to me - especially because the price wasn't much lower than the others. A unique feature is that it offered a free 30-day trial, so I didn't have to pay anything to watch several live games.
Other streaming services and subscription channels
Above, I told you about my experience, which means that there may also be other stories, perhaps happier or less happy, available on the internet. Additionally, there are other programs, apps, systems, and sports channels available in Brazil.
What's worth considering is the opportunity to test the options for free to choose the best fit for you. What I shared above is real; it's my story. Today, I can say that I have the freedom to watch my favorite team's game any day, anywhere in the world.
