Roku has officially unveiled the broadcast schedule for its 2025 MLB Sunday Leadoff series, continuing its three-year media rights deal with Major League Baseball. Starting May 11, fans can catch 18 Sunday games for free on The Roku Channel—no Roku device or subscription required.
How to Watch Without a Roku Device
You don’t need a Roku device to watch the games. The MLB Sunday Leadoff matchups will be available on the free Roku Channel app, accessible through:
- TheRokuChannel.com
- iOS and Android devices
- Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TVs, Google TV, and Android TV OS devices
For MLB.TV subscribers, the games will also be available without blackouts. However, these games will be blacked out on regional sports networks (RSNs), meaning fans in local markets will need to tune in through Roku’s channels or MLB.TV.
Key Matchups and Schedule Highlights
The series kicks off on May 11 at 11:35 a.m. ET with a clash between the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets, featuring slugger Juan Soto. Surprisingly, last year’s World Series contenders, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, will only appear once each in this season’s schedule.
MLB will handle production duties, with local broadcasters calling the games—bringing familiar voices and regional insights to a national audience.
Why This Matters for Cord-Cutters
Roku’s growing push into live sports streaming offers a win for cord-cutters. As the most popular free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in the U.S., Roku reportedly reached 145 million viewers in 2024, trailing only streaming giants like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+.
With no subscription, device, or paywall required, the 2025 MLB Sunday Leadoff lineup offers baseball fans an easy, cost-free way to stay connected to America’s pastime all summer long.