Sports Broadcast in Korea: How to Watch All Games Live in 2025
In South Korea, sports aren’t just a pastime — they’re a lifestyle. Whether it’s cheering on Son Heung-min in the EPL, catching a high-stakes KBO baseball match, or staying up late for an NBA tip-off, Korean fans are deeply invested in the sports they love. But with so many streaming services, channels, and blackout rules, understanding how to access a sports broadcast in Korea can be confusing.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know to watch sports live in Korea, from local leagues to international matches, using the best platforms, apps, and tech tools in 2025.
🔍 What Is a Sports Broadcast?
A 스포츠중계 refers to the live airing or streaming of a sporting event through television, digital platforms, or mobile apps. It includes:
- Live game coverage (TV or online)
- Replays and on-demand full matches
- Highlight packages and commentary shows
In Korea, sports broadcasting is available via IPTV, cable, and online streaming platforms — with mobile apps becoming the most popular method among younger fans.
🇰🇷 Sports Broadcasting Landscape in Korea
Korea’s sports broadcasting ecosystem is a mix of traditional networks and digital-first platforms:
Domestic Sports:
- KBO (Baseball): Broadcast on KBSN Sports, MBC Sports+, SPOTV
- K League (Football): SPOTV, NAVER Sports
- V-League (Volleyball): KBS, SBS Sports
- AfreecaTV: For niche and user-generated live sports commentary
International Sports:
- SPOTV NOW: EPL, NBA, MLB, UFC
- Wavve: K League and some international events
- NAVER Sports: Highlights, live stats, and occasional simulcasts
- NBA League Pass and MLB.TV: Direct access to overseas leagues
🌎 How to Watch Major International Sports in Korea
⚽ EPL, La Liga, UEFA
- SPOTV NOW is the primary platform for live European football in Korea.
- Korean commentary is available for major matches.
- Replays and highlights often appear on NAVER Sports and YouTube.
🏀 NBA
- SPOTV NOW broadcasts select NBA games live.
- NBA League Pass is available in Korea with affordable plans.
- Korean sports YouTubers and AfreecaTV streamers provide match reactions.
🏈 MLB
- SPOTV and MBC Sports+ broadcast MLB games, especially if Korean players are involved (e.g., Ryu Hyun-jin).
- Full access via MLB.TV Korea with English commentary.
🏉 UFC / MMA
- SPOTV holds exclusive UFC rights.
- TVING occasionally streams events.
- Korean MMA coverage is growing, especially through YouTube.
📲 Best Apps & Platforms to Watch Sports in Korea
| Platform | Sports Covered | Language | Monthly Cost | Device Support |
| SPOTV NOW | EPL, NBA, MLB, UFC | Korean | ₩9,900+ | iOS, Android, Smart TV |
| NAVER Sports | KBO, K League, Golf | Korean | Free | Web, Mobile |
| Wavve | Football, Replays | Korean | ₩7,900+ | TV, Mobile, Chromecast |
| AfreecaTV | Esports, KBO, Talk | Korean | Free/Paid | Web, Android, iOS |
| NBA League Pass | NBA | English | ₩12,000+ | Multi-device |
| MLB.TV | MLB | English | Varies | PC, mobile, Smart TVs |
🚫 Free vs Paid Broadcast Options
Free:
- NAVER Sports offers KBO and K League matches.
- AfreecaTV: User commentary and local leagues.
- Highlights on YouTube, NAVER TV, and Kakao Video.
Paid:
- SPOTV NOW for international sports in HD/4K.
- Wavve and TVING for some football and domestic games.
- NBA League Pass / MLB.TV for full control and ad-free viewing.
📺 TV vs Streaming: What Works Best?
| Method | Pros | Cons |
| Cable TV | Easy access, no internet lag | Limited to what’s on air |
| IPTV | Good variety, stable | Often needs contracts |
| Streaming | Mobile, interactive, HD | Needs strong Wi-Fi or data plan |
For younger audiences and expats, streaming apps are the go-to method.
🧬 Tips for the Best Viewing Experience
- Use a 50 Mbps+ connection for HD or 4K streams.
- Invest in a Chromecast or Apple TV for casting to big screens.
- Sync smart home speakers for enhanced sound.
- Use VPNs (if needed) to access international content. Be mindful of legal terms.
📅 Where to Find Sports Schedules
- NAVER Sports Calendar (real-time Korean schedules)
- SPOTV NOW notifications for match alerts
- FotMob / SofaScore for international matches (with Korean time zone support)
- Google Calendar sync with your favorite team or league
🚀 What’s the Future of Sports Broadcasts in Korea?
- More 4K/8K content via IPTV and streaming apps
- Fan-interactive broadcasts with polls, live chat, and multi-view modes
- AI-powered highlights and smart commentary
- VR sports arenas and AR overlays for real-time stats
📈 Final Thoughts: Choose Your Sports Broadcast Plan
Whether you’re a casual viewer or a sports junkie, Korea offers a robust ecosystem for watching live sports. The key is choosing the right mix of platforms depending on your favorite leagues:
- 🏀 NBA: SPOTV NOW + League Pass
- ⚽ EPL: SPOTV NOW + NAVER highlights
- 🏈 MLB: MBC Sports+ + MLB.TV
- 🏉 UFC: SPOTV + TVING
- 🌟 Domestic Sports: NAVER Sports + AfreecaTV
With this setup, you’ll never miss a buzzer-beater, walk-off home run, or stoppage-time screamer again.