How to watch the Masters free: Live stream the first 2026 golf major
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The first (and glitziest) golf major of 2026 has arrived in sunny Augusta, Georgia. We've gathered everything you need to know about how to watch the Masters Tournament, including free streaming options.
The four-day golf tournament brings together the best golfers in the world for a shot at the elusive Masters title and iconic green jacket. Rory McIlroy is the defending champion, with his 2025 victory sealing his career Grand Slam, following past wins at the PGA Championship, US Open, and Open Championship. Ludvig Åberg, Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Scottie Scheffler are among the top competitors participating in this week's event.
Keep reading to learn the best ways to tune into the 90th Masters Tournament, including broadcast and free streaming options. We've outlined coverage details for all four rounds.
How to watch the Masters free from anywhere
If you're away from the US right now, you can still access the free live stream on the official Masters website with the help of a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are easy-to-use tech tools that allow people to temporarily alter the digital locations of their electronic devices. This way, they can access their favorite websites and apps from anywhere. They're especially popular apps for those looking to use their usual services while traveling abroad or improve their cybersecurity.
NordVPN is the best VPN we've tested. It's a user-friendly option with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a selection of cybersecurity perks (especially in the long-term plans). You can learn more about the service in our NordVPN review.
How to watch the Masters in the US
It's good news for US golf fans. The Masters Tournament is the rare golf major where coverage is available completely free online, in addition to the TV broadcasts. Fans can catch all of the action for free on the Masters website.
Coverage will also be available across ESPN, CBS and Paramount Plus, and Prime Video. On Thursday and Friday, Rounds 1 and 2 will be available on Prime Video from 1 to 3 p.m. ET and on ESPN from 3 to 7 p.m. ET. On Friday and Saturday, Rounds 3 and 4 will be available on Paramount Plus from 12 to 2 p.m. ET and on CBS (and Paramount Plus) from 2 to 7 p.m. ET. For early-morning coverage, your best bet is the ESPN app or the Masters website.
ESPN offers two tiers of service: ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited. While some programming will be streaming exclusives, the best way to ensure you can see all of the ESPN action (including direct live streams of the flagship channels) is by subscribing to ESPN Unlimited for $30 a month.
Paramount Plus also offers two tiers of service: Essential and Premium. While Essential comes with some live sports, the only way to live stream the CBS channel directly is with Paramount Plus Premium. This tier costs $14 a month and comes with ad-free on-demand streaming, Showtime programming, and other perks.
If you already have an Amazon Prime subscription, you automatically have access to Prime Video. If you don't, you can sign up for Amazon Prime for $15 a month or Prime Video by itself for $9 a month. In addition to all Prime Video shows and movies, this also unlocks access to other select live sports, including Thursday Night Football, and games across the NBA, WNBA, and NWSL.
If you're hoping to catch all of the ESPN and CBS coverage in one place or you'd like a cable alternative service with additional channels, one of the best live TV streaming services we've tested might be of interest. Two of our favorite options, which are both CBS and ESPN-friendly, are DirecTV and Fubo.
You can get both of these networks, a nice selection of other channels, and access to ESPN Unlimited in DirecTV's MySports genre pack or Fubo's Sports + News package. DirecTV MySports costs $65 a month, but you can get your first two months for $45 a month after a five-day free trial. Fubo Sports + News costs $56 a month, but you can get your first month for $46 after a five-day free trial.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.