Where to watch Seattle Mariners games
Seattle Mariners games air on several channels depending on which game you're watching and what time of year it is. Most regular-season games appear on ROOT Sports Northwest (the regional sports network), MLB.TV (MLB's streaming service), or national broadcasts on ESPN, Fox, or Apple TV+. Some games also air on local Seattle stations like KING 5 or KOMO 4.
The specific channel changes game to game, so you'll need to check the Mariners' official schedule before each game to know where to find it. The team posts this information on MLB.com and on the Mariners' own website.
If you want to watch most or all Mariners games, you'll likely need more than one subscription. ROOT Sports Northwest carries the bulk of local games, but it's only available through certain cable and streaming TV providers in the Pacific Northwest. MLB.TV fills in gaps and lets you watch out-of-market games, though it blacks out local broadcasts in the Seattle area during the regular season.
Key Takeaways
- ROOT Sports Northwest carries most Mariners regular-season games but requires a cable or streaming TV subscription that includes it.
- MLB.TV streams most games but blacks out local broadcasts in the Seattle area, so it works best as a supplement to ROOT Sports or for fans outside the region.
- National broadcasts on ESPN, Fox, and Apple TV+ air select games and are available separately or through existing subscriptions.
- The Mariners' official website and MLB.com post the broadcast channel for each game before it airs.
ROOT Sports Northwest and cable TV providers
ROOT Sports Northwest is the regional channel that broadcasts the majority of Mariners games. To watch it, you need a cable, satellite, or streaming TV subscription that includes the channel. In the Seattle area, ROOT Sports is available through providers like Comcast Xfinity, Dish Network, and some streaming TV services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo.
Not every provider carries ROOT Sports in every market, so you'll need to check your specific provider's channel lineup. If you already have cable or a streaming TV service, log into your provider's app or website and look for ROOT Sports in the sports section. If your current provider doesn't carry it, you may need to add a sports package or switch providers.
ROOT Sports also offers a standalone streaming option called ROOT Sports+, though availability and pricing vary by region and change periodically. Check the ROOT Sports website or contact them directly to see if it's available in your area.
MLB.TV for out-of-market and supplemental games
MLB.TV is Major League Baseball's official streaming service and carries games from all 30 teams. If you live outside the Seattle area, you can watch most Mariners games on MLB.TV without blackout restrictions. If you live in the Seattle market, MLB.TV blacks out local broadcasts (games on ROOT Sports, ESPN, Fox, and Apple TV+) but lets you watch games involving teams outside the division after they air.
MLB.TV costs around $140 per year for a full-season subscription, though the price drops as the season progresses. You can also buy a monthly subscription if you only want to watch for part of the season. The service works on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV.
For Seattle-area fans, MLB.TV is most useful as a backup for games that aren't on ROOT Sports or as a way to rewatch games after they air. It's also the main option if you travel frequently or want to watch Mariners games on the go.
National broadcasts on ESPN, Fox, and Apple TV+
ESPN and Fox air select Mariners games throughout the regular season as part of their national baseball coverage. These broadcasts are available through cable TV, streaming TV services, or the ESPN+ and Fox+ apps if you have a subscription. Apple TV+ also carries some MLB games, including occasional Mariners matchups, as part of its Friday Night Baseball series.
National broadcasts are usually the biggest games of the season — division matchups, games against high-profile teams, or late-season contests with playoff implications. Check the Mariners' schedule to see which games are on national TV, and confirm which service is carrying each one before game time.
Streaming TV services that include ROOT Sports
If you don't have cable, several streaming TV services carry ROOT Sports Northwest and let you watch Mariners games live. The main options are YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo, though availability and channel lineups change. All three offer free trials (usually 7 days) so you can test them before committing.
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV both cost around $75 to $80 per month and include dozens of channels plus cloud DVR storage. Fubo is sports-focused and starts around $80 per month. Each service has a different channel mix, so check their current lineup to confirm ROOT Sports is included in your region before signing up.
These services let you watch on multiple devices at once (depending on your plan) and save games to watch later. If you already subscribe to one of them for other reasons, check whether ROOT Sports is included before buying a separate subscription.
Local broadcast options and free games
A handful of Mariners games air on local Seattle broadcast stations like KING 5 and KOMO 4, usually during Opening Day, holiday games, or other special occasions. These broadcasts are free if you have an antenna or cable subscription that includes the local channels.
MLB.TV occasionally offers free games through its "Free Game of the Day" feature, though these are usually not Mariners games. Check the MLB.TV website or app to see if a free game is available on the day you want to watch.
How to find the broadcast channel for each game
The easiest way to know where a Mariners game is broadcasting is to visit MLB.com or the official Seattle Mariners website. Both sites post the full schedule with broadcast information for each game. You can also check the ROOT Sports Northwest website or your cable provider's TV guide.
Most streaming TV services and cable providers also let you search for "Mariners" in their guide, and the app will show you which channel the game is on and what time it starts. Set reminders on your phone or calendar so you don't miss games you want to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Mariners games for free?
Most games require a paid subscription to ROOT Sports, MLB.TV, or a streaming TV service. A few games air on local broadcast channels (KING 5, KOMO 4) or national networks if you have cable. MLB.TV occasionally offers a free game per day, though it's rarely a Mariners game.
Do I need cable to watch Mariners games?
No. Streaming TV services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo carry ROOT Sports and work without cable. MLB.TV is also an option if you live outside Seattle. You do need an internet connection and a compatible device (phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV).
Why are some Mariners games blacked out on MLB.TV?
MLB.TV blacks out local broadcasts in the Seattle area to protect ROOT Sports Northwest's exclusive rights to show those games. This is standard across all MLB teams. Games on national networks (ESPN, Fox, Apple TV+) are also blacked out for local viewers on MLB.TV.
Can I watch Mariners games on my phone or tablet?
Yes. ROOT Sports, MLB.TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, ESPN+, and Apple TV+ all have apps for phones and tablets. You'll need to log in with your subscription credentials to watch live games or recorded broadcasts.
What's the cheapest way to watch most Mariners games?
ROOT Sports through a streaming TV service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV is usually the most cost-effective option for regular-season games in the Seattle area. These services cost $75 to $80 per month and include ROOT Sports plus many other channels. If you only watch occasionally, MLB.TV at around $140 per year may be cheaper.