How to Watch Ohio State Football in 2025: Streaming Options, Prices, and Blackout Rules

Ohio State Buckeyes fans have more ways than ever to catch every snap of the 2025-26 college football season — but not all options are created equal. With games already underway and key matchups scheduled through late November, viewers are navigating a patchwork of paid subscriptions, free ad-supported streams, and frustrating geographic restrictions. The Ohio State Buckeyes aren’t just playing for conference dominance; they’re playing in a media landscape where access depends on your wallet, your device, and even your zip code.

Where to Stream Ohio State Games Live

For live games, two major players dominate: Sling TV and Peacock. Sling TV’s Sling Orange package — priced as low as $1 for a limited-time intro offer — delivers ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, which carry most of Ohio State’s non-exclusive games. That means if the Buckeyes are playing on a Saturday afternoon and ESPN has the rights, you’re covered. But here’s the catch: blackout restrictions apply. If a game is being broadcast locally on a regional network, Sling won’t show it unless you’re outside that market. That’s been true for years, but this season, with more fans cutting cords, the frustration is louder than ever.

Peacock, meanwhile, is the official streaming home for Big Ten Football. As one of 18 conference members, Ohio State benefits from Peacock’s exclusive streaming rights to select non-televised conference games. That’s huge. Not every Buckeyes game is on ESPN or ABC — some kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on a Tuesday and only appear on Peacock. The standard plan costs $14.99/month, while the premium tier at $19.99 removes most ads — though, as Peacock quietly notes, “a small amount of programming will still contain ads,” especially live sports. For students, it’s a steal: $2.99/month for 12 months, if you cancel any existing subscription first. That’s cheaper than a pizza delivery.

The Free Option — And Why It’s Not Really Free

Then there’s ohiostatebuckeyes.com. The official site offers 37 episodes of supplemental content: press conferences, postgame recaps, highlight reels, and behind-the-scenes footage. It’s great if you missed the game or want to relive the touchdown. But here’s the fine print: you can’t watch live games here. And if you’ve got an ad blocker on? You’ll see a pop-up begging you to turn it off. “The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content,” it reads. Translation: no ads, no access. It’s a digital toll booth — and you’re paying with your attention.

Even Sling’s “Freestream” service — which offers CNN and BBC World News for free, no account needed — doesn’t touch college football. No Ohio State. No Big Ten. Just international news. So if you’re hoping for a truly free way to watch the Buckeyes, you’re out of luck unless you’ve got a cable subscription or a friend who does.

Technical Requirements and Geographic Limits

Both Sling and Peacock require solid internet. Sling insists on at least 3 Mbps — fine for a phone screen, but if you’re streaming a 1080p game on a 75-inch TV, you’ll want 25 Mbps or more. Buffering during a fourth-quarter drive? That’s not the defense’s fault. It’s your router.

And then there’s the blackout problem. In 2025, it’s still a thing. If a game is being televised in Columbus by a local affiliate — say, WBNS-TV — and you’re in Franklin County, you won’t see it on Sling or Peacock. That’s because broadcast rights are territorial. The NFL has had this for decades. Now, college football’s doing the same. Fans in Ohio might be stuck watching on TV. Fans in California? They might stream it — but only if they’re not in a blackout zone for that specific matchup. The rules are opaque, and the explanations from providers are vague. “All games subject to broadcast restrictions as determined by geographic location,” says Sling. That’s not helpful. It’s a legal loophole dressed up as a policy.

Who’s Really Winning? The Students and the Streamers

The real story here isn’t the games — it’s who’s being priced out. A full-price Peacock subscription at $19.99/month adds up fast. But the $2.99 student deal? That’s the lifeline. With tuition rising and textbooks costing $200 a pop, $2.99 for a full season of Big Ten football is a bargain. It’s also a smart play by Peacock: lock in college students now, hope they stick around after graduation. Meanwhile, Sling’s $1 offer is a bait-and-switch. It’s a 30-day trial. After that, it jumps to $40/month. You’re not getting a deal — you’re getting a test drive.

And let’s not forget the hidden cost: time. Switching between apps. Logging in. Dealing with buffering. Trying to find which channel has the game. If you’re watching with friends, someone’s always arguing about the app. It’s not the game that’s complicated — it’s the viewing experience.

What’s Next for Ohio State Fans?

The 2025 season runs through December, with the Big Ten Championship game scheduled for December 6. If Ohio State makes it to the College Football Playoff — as most experts predict — those games will air on ESPN, ABC, or ESPN2. That means Sling subscribers will still be in the game. But if you’re relying on Peacock? You’re out. The playoff is not part of their Big Ten package. That’s a major gap.

Meanwhile, Ohio State’s own website is quietly building a library of content. Those 37 episodes? They’re not just highlights. They’re archives. Future fans might look back at these press conferences, the coach’s tone after a loss, the quarterback’s postgame interview — and realize this was the era when streaming fractured the fan experience. The game hasn’t changed. But how we watch it? That’s been rewritten.