As a Mets fan, you’ll want to watch as many games as possible during the season. With 162 games scheduled from April to September, there are plenty of opportunities to catch the action. However, with some games only airing on local TV or streaming platforms, it can be tricky figuring out how to access every game. In this guide, we’ll walk through all the ways to watch Mets games without missing a pitch in 2023.
Watch on TV
The best way to catch Mets games on TV is through your local regional sports network. In the New York market, Mets games air on SportsNet NY (SNY). If you have a cable or satellite package that includes SNY, you’ll be able to watch most Mets games on TV. The only exceptions would be national broadcasts airing on Fox, ESPN, Apple TV+ or Peacock.
Here’s a quick breakdown of where to find Mets games on TV:
Network | Games |
---|---|
SNY | 120+ games, including most home and away games |
WPIX | Around 15 games |
Fox/FS1 | Around 5 Saturday games |
ESPN | Around 10 Sunday Night Baseball games |
Apple TV+ | Friday night games (doubleheaders in 2023) |
Peacock | Sunday morning games |
So if you have a cable package with SNY, you’ll get the majority of games. Plus you can watch the national broadcasts on Fox, ESPN and Peacock.
The downside is that some streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu Live, and DIRECTV STREAM no longer carry SNY due to contract disputes. So check your channel lineup if you have a streaming provider.
Stream with MLB.TV
The best way to stream Mets games online is with an MLB.TV subscription. This gives you access to every out-of-market game that’s not airing on national TV.
MLB.TV plans start at $24.99/month or $59.99 for the full season. There’s also a single team package for $119.99 that only includes Mets games. With any MLB.TV plan, you can watch on your streaming devices, mobile devices, web browser and gaming consoles.
The catch is that hometown team games are blacked out based on your location. So Mets games would be blacked out in the New York market. You’d only be able to stream out-of-market Mets games with MLB.TV.
Still, it’s a great option for Mets fans who live outside the NY area. You’ll get all 162 games, minus the SNY, Fox and ESPN broadcasts.
Use a VPN
If you want to watch SNY and other local Mets broadcasts with MLB.TV in the New York market, your best bet is to use a VPN (virtual private network).
A VPN allows you to mask your real location and appear to be out-of-market. So you can bypass the Mets blackouts on MLB.TV by connecting to a server outside of New York.
Some top VPNs to try with MLB.TV include:
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
- Surfshark
- Private Internet Access
Be sure to test out the VPN before the season starts to find a server that works reliably. The Mets home opener is March 30.
Listen on radio
When you can’t watch the Mets on TV, you can always listen on the radio. Mets games air on 880 WCBS-AM in New York with broadcasters Howie Rose and Wayne Randazzo.
You can listen to WCBS-AM for free on a traditional radio. Or use the Audacy app or TuneIn app to stream the radio broadcast on your devices.
This is a great option if you want to follow along with the games while in the car, at work or anywhere else on the go.
Watch at bars and restaurants
Another way to catch Mets games is to head to your local sports bar or restaurant during the games. Many establishments in the NY area show the Mets games on their available TVs.
You can search for specific bars showing the games using apps like SportsYap. Or just walk around your neighborhood until you spot the SNY broadcast on at a sports bar.
Attend games in person
Finally, the most memorable way to experience Mets games is in person at Citi Field in Queens. While it’s the priciest option, nothing beats the atmosphere of catching a game live.
You can purchase Mets tickets for individual games or full season plans directly through the Mets website. For certain high-demand games like Opening Day, you may have to turn to reseller sites like StubHub for tickets.
If you want the cheapest seats, upper deck and promenade level tickets start around $20-30 per game. Field level seats down the baselines can run over $100 or more depending on the opponent.
How to Watch Mets Games on SNY Without Cable
Since most Mets games air on the regional sports network SNY, not having cable can limit your options for tuning in. Here are a few ways you can stream SNY to watch Mets games without a traditional cable subscription:
Use a TV Antenna
If you’re within range of the SNY broadcast signal, you may be able to pick up the channel with a digital TV antenna. This doesn’t cost anything upfront outside of buying the antenna.
You should be able to receive SNY over-the-air if you’re within about 30-40 miles of midtown Manhattan where the station’s transmitter is located. Just connect the antenna to your TV and scan for channels.
Try Locast
Locast is a non-profit streaming service that offers free access to local broadcast stations in certain markets across the U.S. This includes SNY in the New York area.
While technically free, Locast does require periodic donations to keep watching uninterrupted. But it’s an option for accessing SNY to catch Mets games online if you’re in their NY market footprint.
Use a Friend’s Cable Login
Many cable channels like SNY allow you to stream their live feeds using your provider login, through their TV everywhere apps and sites.
So if you have a parent, friend, or family member that subscribes to a cable package with SNY, you may be able to borrow their login credentials to stream. Just download the SNY app and enter their username/password.
Try a Free Trial of a Live TV Streaming Service
Platforms like DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV and YouTube TV offer free trials for new subscribers, ranging from 5-14 days. You may be able to use the free trial period to watch SNY and Mets games for a limited time.
Just remember to cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged. And verify the SNY is included in their channel lineup before signing up.
How to Watch Mets Games on the Road
One challenge as a Mets fan is keeping up with games when traveling outside the NY area during the season. Since Mets games are blacked out on MLB.TV locally, how can you watch on the road?
Use MLB.TV
When outside of the Mets home television territory, the MLB.TV blackout restrictions no longer apply. So you can use MLB.TV to stream Mets games live while traveling.
Just log into your MLB.TV account on your devices, connect to the local Wi-Fi, and you’ll be able to stream Mets games like normal.
Watch on National Channels
Some Mets games will be nationally televised on channels like Fox, ESPN, and Apple TV+. So if your hotel or another local establishment has these channels, you may be able to tune in.
Check the Mets schedule ahead of time to see which games will be on national broadcasts while traveling.
Find a Baseball Bar
Most cities have a sports bar or two catering to out-of-town fans who want to watch their home team. Search Yelp or Google Maps for a baseball bar near your hotel that advertises all MLB games. There’s a good chance they’ll have the Mets game on if you ask.
Listen on Radio App
As mentioned earlier, you can always listen to the Mets radio broadcast for free using the Audacy or TuneIn app. Just connect to Wi-Fi and you’ll be able to hear Howie Rose and Wayne Randazzo call the games.
Follow on Gameday
If all else fails, you can follow the live Gameday tracker on the MLB app or Mets website. This will at least let you follow the score and play-by-play on your phone.
How to Watch Nationally Televised Mets Games
In addition to local broadcasts, some Mets games will be shown to a national audience on channels like Fox, ESPN, Apple TV+ and Peacock.
Here’s how to make sure you can view these national Mets broadcasts:
Fox/FS1
Fox and FS1 will televise up to five Mets games on Saturdays this season. If you have Fox through your TV provider, you’re all set. Fox is available on all cable/satellite packages as well as OTA antenna.
For streaming options, Fox is carried on DIRECTV STREAM, FuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
ESPN
ESPN will feature about 10 Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts involving the Mets this season. ESPN is available on all major cable/satellite services.
For streamers, access ESPN with DIRECTV STREAM, FuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
Apple TV+
Apple will show two Mets Friday night doubleheaders in 2023. You’ll need an Apple TV+ subscription ($4.99/month) and Apple device to stream these games.
Peacock
Select Mets Sunday morning games will stream on Peacock this season. You’ll need a Peacock Premium subscription ($4.99/month with ads) to watch.
So check the schedule ahead of time to know which games are on national broadcasts. Make sure you have access to the respective channel or streaming service ahead of time.
Conclusion
Following the Mets full season without cable or local TV access can be challenging. But with the combination of MLB.TV, national broadcasts, radio, and streaming options outlined above, you’ll be covered.
The key is knowing which games are available on each platform based on the schedule. Figure out ahead of time which services you need for upcoming games so you can tune in successfully.
With a little planning, you’ll be able to catch Jacob deGrom, Francisco Lindor and the rest of the 2023 Mets season from anywhere. Let’s go Mets!