DAZN Picks Up Local Team Rights: What It Means for DIRECTV Regional Sports Fans
DAZN, best known in the U.S. for boxing, now streams local games across MLB, the NBA, the NHL and the WNBA. Industry coverage of DAZN's October 2026 presentation puts the rollout at 19 teams. Most of those deals came together after Main Street Sports Group, the company behind the FanDuel Sports Network channels, shut down and left many teams without a local TV partner. On October 9, 2026, DAZN executives said they are in "active talks" with more teams and leagues, and that they want national rights packages next.
If you follow a local team on DIRECTV, here's what has changed, what hasn't, and how to check your own team.
What DAZN has picked up so far
| Deal | Teams | When |
|---|---|---|
| YES Network streaming | New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets | July 2026 |
| MSG Networks streaming | New York Knicks, Rangers and other MSG teams | July 2026 |
| Monumental Sports Network (Monumental+) | Washington-area teams such as the Wizards, Capitals and Mystics | 2026 |
| Direct team deal | Indiana Pacers | 2026 |
Industry coverage of DAZN's October presentation puts the rollout at 19 teams. It hasn't published one full list, so check your team's announcement before you sign up.
What DAZN wants next
- More teams before the 2027 MLB season. DAZN's growth markets CEO, Pete Oliver, told Front Office Sports that more teams should come on board next season.
- The NBA's local rights hub. DAZN wants to be the distributor for the league's planned local streaming hub.
- National deals. CEO Shay Segev said he hopes local deals "roll up into a bigger deal with the NHL, with the NBA." National rights for MLB, the NHL and the NFL all come up for renewal within about five years.
- The tech to support it. DAZN bought ViewLift, a streaming tech company, and EverPass Media, which streams games to bars and restaurants.
What this means if you watch on DIRECTV
Streaming deals like these are usually in addition to TV distribution, not a replacement for it. YES, MSG and Monumental Sports Network still air as regional channels, and DIRECTV has carried them in their home markets on CHOICE and higher packages. If your team's network is on DIRECTV, you keep watching on the same channel and don't need a DAZN subscription.
Teams that lost a FanDuel Sports Network channel are a different story. Each one made its own plan, whether that was DAZN, a team app, local TV stations or another network. Our DIRECTV regional sports networks guide lists what DIRECTV carries, and the regional sports fee guide explains what you pay for it.
DAZN or DIRECTV: which fits your household?
| If you… | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Want one team's games and nothing else | DAZN or the team's own streaming app, if your team is on it |
| Follow several teams or several sports | DIRECTV with ESPN, TNT, FOX, NBC and regional channels in one guide |
| Want national playoff games and local news too | DIRECTV, because DAZN doesn't carry local stations |
| Already pay for DIRECTV and your team's network is on it | Stay put; you're already covered |
Team guides: Yankees, Knicks, Pacers and Monumental Sports Network. To find out which regional channel DIRECTV carries for your ZIP code, call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
How many teams does DAZN have local rights to?
Industry coverage of DAZN's October 2026 presentation puts the rollout at 19 teams across MLB, the NBA, the NHL and the WNBA. DAZN has separately confirmed several individual team and network agreements and says it is in talks with more.
Do I need DAZN to watch the Yankees or Knicks if I have DIRECTV?
Usually not. YES and MSG still air as regional channels, and DIRECTV has carried them in their home markets. DAZN is another way to stream them without a TV package.
Will DAZN get national NBA or NHL games?
Not yet. DAZN's CEO says that is the goal, but no national U.S. deal has been announced.
How do I cancel DAZN?
See how to cancel a DAZN subscription.
Questions about channels or packages at your address? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 12, 2026. Based on public reporting from early October 2026 and team announcements. Channel lineups, regional networks and package availability vary by address and may change. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site; all marks belong to their respective owners.