Before telling you some best alternatives to SportSurge, we would like to tell you about its status.
What Is SportSurge?
SportSurge is a website that provides links to watch live sports streams. It does not host any content itself, but rather provides links to third-party sites where the games are being shown. Often, third-party sites don’t have the legal broadcast rights.
The legal status of SportSurge in the United States is a bit complicated, and it is not completely legal. Here are some key points about it:
Legal Status in the United States of SportsSurge
- Copyright Infringement: In the United States, live sports broadcasts are copyrighted content. Leagues and broadcasters have exclusive rights to air these events. Platforms like SportSurge that provide links to unlicensed streams promote copyright infringement.
- “Protecting Lawful Streaming Act” (2020): The law has made large-scale, commercial streaming of copyrighted content a federal crime. While this law primarily targets those who operate illegal streaming services (hosts and distributors), it makes clear the government’s stance against such activities.
- Risks to Users: While individual users who watch streams for personal use are less likely to face criminal prosecution, they are still technically involved in copyrighted infringement. The main focus of legal action is usually on the providers of these illegal streams. However, you may receive a “cease” letter from your internet service provider (ISP) on behalf of copyright holders, or in some cases, your ISP may even terminate your service for repeated infringement.
Security Concerns
Apart from the legal aspects, using SportSurge in the United States (or anywhere) carries significant security risks:
- Malware and viruses: Clicking on links or ads may download harmful software onto your device.
- Pop-up ads and redirects: These sites often contain intrusive ads, which can be annoying and sometimes lead to phishing attempts or other scams.
- Lack of privacy: Your browsing activity on such sites is often not encrypted and may be vulnerable to tracking.
Safe and Legal Activities
To watch sports safely and legally, it is highly recommended to use the following official and licensed streaming services in the United States:
- ESPN+
- Fubo TV
- DAZN
- YouTube TV
- Hulu+ Live TV
- Sling TV
- Peacock Premium
- Pramount+
- NFL+
- NBA League Pass
- MLB.TV
- NHL.tv
These services ensure that you are watching content legally and usually provide a much better and more secure viewing experience.
In short, SportSurge operates in a gray area in the United States and is not considered safe or legal. Instead, you are better off using legal and licensed streaming options.
7 Best SportSurge Alternatives
If you are in the United States and want to watch sports legally and safely, there are many great alternatives available instead of an illegal platform like SportSurge. These platforms offer you high-quality streams, better security, and a good user experience.
Best Legal Alternatives to SportSurge
Here are some of the best legal alternatives to SportSurge:
- Sling TV
- Description: Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that offers cable TV channels at a lower price. It includes several packages of sports channels.
- What to Watch: ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, TNT, TBS, and many more. You can watch NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, soccer, and more, depending on the package you choose.
- Features: Flexible package options (“Orange” and “Blue” plans), Cloud DVR, and available on multiple devices.
- Plans: Monthly subscription for different packages.
- Hulu + Live TV
- Description: Hulu + Live TV is a comprehensive streaming service that combines on-demand content (Hulu’s library) with live TV channels, including many sports channels.
- What to Watch: ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, TNT, TBS, USA Network, NFL Network, Big Ten Network, ACC Network, SEC Network, and more. It covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, college sports, golf, soccer, and more.
- Features: ESPN+ and Disney+ included, a large on-demand library, and a user-friendly interface.
- Plans: Monthly Subscription.
- YouTube TV
- Description: YouTube TV is another popular live TV streaming service that includes a wide range of sports channels.
- What to Watch: ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, Big Ten Network, ACC Network, SEC Network, Golf Channel, and more. It covers nearly every major sports league and college sports.
- Features: Unlimited cloud DVR, six user profiles, and built on Google’s robust backend.
- Plan: Monthly Subscription.
- Fubo TV
- Description: Fubo TV bills itself as a “sports-first” streaming service and is one of the strongest options when it comes to sports channels.
- What to Watch: Fox Sports, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, beIN Sports, TUDN, Fox Soccer Plus, and more. It’s particularly strong for football (soccer), as well as covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, and other major sports.
- Features: Extensive sports coverage, 4K streaming options, and cloud DVR.
- Plan: Monthly subscription for various packages.
- ESPN+
- Description: ESPN+ is a separate streaming platform from ESPN that offers exclusive live sports and on-demand content not available on the main ESPN channels.
- What to Watch: UFC Fights, MLS (Major League Soccer), some MLB and NHL games (out-of-market), college sports (many different conferences), golf (PGA Tour Live), tennis, and various documentaries (30 for 30).
- Features: Exclusive content, integrated within the ESPN app, and can be part of the Disney Bundle.
- Plans: Monthly or annual subscription, or as part of the Disney Bundle.
- Paramount+
- Description: Paramount+ is a home to CBS Sports content, including the NFL, soccer, and golf.
- What to Watch: NFL games (aired on CBS), UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), the Master’s golf tournament, and college basketball.
- Features: Large library of on-demand content, live CBS feed.\
- Plans: Monthly or annual subscription.
- Peacock Premium
- Description: NBC Universal’s streaming service, Peacock, has become an important platform, especially for some major sports events.
- What to Watch: Premier League (English Football), some matches of Sunday Night Football (NFL), WWE (premium live events and library), rugby, and figure skating.
- Features: Access to NBC content, live sports, and on-demand content.
- Plan: Premium monthly subscription.
What are these better than SportSurge?
- Legal and Safe: All these platforms are completely legal and get licenses from copyright holders. This protects you from any legal hassles or malware/virus exposure.
- High Quality: These services often provide streams in HD and in many cases 4K quality, giving you a better viewing experience.
- Reliability: You get less buffering, fewer ads (or no ads if you are a premium subscriber), and stable streams.
- Extras: These often have features like on-demand content, highlights, analysis, and multi-camera views that are not available on illegal sites.
- Customer Support: You can contact customer support if you face any issues.
Stay away from illegal platforms like SportSurge and always use these legal and safe alternatives to watch your favorite sports. Are you interested in watching a particular sport or league?