There’s a simple joy in settling in for a Pirates–Tigers game at PNC Park, whether you’re in the stands or on your couch. But with multiple broadcast partners and streaming services in play, figuring out exactly where to watch can feel like a seventh-inning scramble. This guide pulls together the verified TV channels, streaming platforms, and radio networks for both the regular-season series and the Spring Breakout exhibition — no scrolling required.

Game date: July 21, 2025 (regular season); March 20, 2026 (Spring Breakout) · Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh · Local TV (Pirates): SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP) · Local TV (Tigers): FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (FDSDET) · National TV: MLB Network (Spring Breakout) · Streaming: MLB.TV, Fubo, Prime Video (Spring Breakout)

Quick snapshot

1Local TV Broadcast
  • Pirates: SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP) – available on DirecTV, Dish, FiOS (FOX Sports)
  • Tigers: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (FDSDET) – channel guide varies by provider (MLB.com (Tigers’ 2025 schedule))
  • Check your provider’s channel lineup for exact numbers (FOX Sports)
2National TV (Spring Breakout)
3Streaming Services
4Radio Coverage
  • Pirates: 93.7 The Fan (flagship) + 30+ affiliates across PA, WV, OH (FOX Sports)
  • Tigers: 97.1 The Ticket (flagship)
  • Stream via MLB app or TuneIn (subscription may apply)

The quick facts below consolidate the essential details for both the regular-season and Spring Breakout matchups, so you can compare at a glance.

Detail Value
Game date July 21, 2025 (regular season); March 20, 2026 (Spring Breakout)
Venue PNC Park, Pittsburgh
First pitch (regular season) 6:40 p.m. ET
First pitch (Spring Breakout) 8:00 p.m. ET
Local TV (Pirates) SportsNet Pittsburgh
Local TV (Tigers) FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
National TV (Spring Breakout) MLB Network
Streaming MLB.TV, Fubo, Prime Video (Spring Breakout), YouTube TV (SNP only)
Radio (Pirates) 93.7 The Fan

Where can I watch the Pittsburgh Pirates game tonight?

Local TV channels for Pirates and Tigers broadcasts

  • Regular-season Pirates home games air on SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP), the team’s exclusive regional sports network (FOX Sports).
  • Tigers home games are carried by FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (FDSDET), the club’s local TV partner (MLB.com (official league website)).
  • The Spring Breakout game on March 20, 2026, will also air locally on SNP and FDSDET, with a national broadcast on MLB Network (SportsNet Pittsburgh).

National TV coverage for special events

  • The Spring Breakout exhibition is the only game guaranteed to appear on national television. MLB Network will carry it live for viewers across the country (SportsNet Pittsburgh).
  • Regular-season games do not typically air on national channels, though MLB Network may select certain matchups for national coverage later in the season.

Bottom line: If you live in the Pirates or Tigers broadcast region, your local RSN is your primary option. For the Spring Breakout, you can watch on MLB Network without a local RSN subscription.

Which channel is the Pirates game showing?

Finding the channel on cable and satellite

  • SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP) is available on major providers: DirecTV channel 659, Verizon FiOS channel 313, Dish channel 658 (FOX Sports).
  • FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (FDSDET) channel numbers vary by provider; check your local cable or satellite guide.

Channel numbers vary by provider

  • For SNP, always verify with your provider’s latest channel lineup, as numbers can change.
  • For FDSDET, contact your carrier or visit the FanDuel Sports Network website for region-specific listings.

Bottom line: The quickest way to find the exact channel is to search your provider’s online guide using the network names “SportsNet Pittsburgh” or “FanDuel Sports Network Detroit.”

How to watch Pittsburgh Pirates on YouTube TV?

Streaming options without cable

  • YouTube TV carries SportsNet Pittsburgh in the Pittsburgh metro area. If you’re in the Pirates’ home market, you can stream regular-season games on SNP via YouTube TV (Fubo (match listing)).
  • MLB.TV provides out-of-market streaming for all regular-season games, but be aware of local blackout rules: if you’re in the Pirates or Tigers broadcast territory, the game will be blocked (MLB.com (subscriber details)).
  • Fubo offers a free trial for new users and carries both SNP and FDSDET in their respective regions (Fubo (MLB coverage)).

Alternatives to YouTube TV

  • If YouTube TV isn’t available in your area or doesn’t carry FDSDET, consider Fubo or MLB.TV with a VPN (use at your own risk, as blackout policies apply).
  • For the Spring Breakout game, Prime Video will have the broadcast available on-demand shortly after the live airing (SportsNet Pittsburgh).
The catch

YouTube TV subscribers outside the Pittsburgh market cannot access SNP. For those fans, MLB.TV combined with a cable login for FDSDET or a Fubo subscription is the most reliable workaround.

The implication: knowing your location is critical to choosing the right streaming path. If you’re in a blackout zone, you need a service that carries your local RSN.

Where to watch pittsburgh pirates vs detroit tigers live (streaming)

Live streaming services with local channels

  • Fubo tops the list for live streaming because it carries both regional sports networks — SNP for Pirates and FDSDET for Tigers — in the same subscription. A free trial is often available for new users (Fubo (MLB coverage)).
  • MLB.TV remains the best option for fans outside the domestic broadcast areas, though international streaming availability beyond MLB.TV hasn’t been confirmed by official sources for this specific matchup.
  • Prime Video will stream the Spring Breakout game live and on-demand (SportsNet Pittsburgh).

Radio broadcast for audio-only fans

  • Pirates radio: flagship 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, with more than 30 affiliates covering Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio (FOX Sports).
  • Tigers radio: flagship 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, plus a network of affiliates across Michigan.
  • Both broadcasts are available via the MLB app and TuneIn (subscription may be required).

Bottom line: For live video, Fubo gives you the widest coverage of both local channels. If you’re outside the broadcast zones, MLB.TV is your go-to — but check blackout restrictions first. Radio remains a reliable free option for audio-only listeners.

How to Watch: Step-by-Step Guide

Note: Blackout rules can change. Always confirm your local availability on the streaming platform’s website before game day.
  1. Identify the game. The regular-season matchup is July 21, 2025 at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Spring Breakout game is March 20, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET (MLB.com (official preview)).
  2. Choose your viewing platform. In-market? Go with SportsNet Pittsburgh or FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. Out-of-market? Use MLB.TV. Want a streaming bundle? Try Fubo or YouTube TV (Fubo (MLB coverage)).
  3. Set your device. Streaming services work on smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, phones, and tablets. Confirm your service is installed before game time.
  4. Prepare for blackouts. If using MLB.TV in a local market, have a backup plan — Fubo or a cable login for your RSN (MLB.com (subscriber details)).
  5. Need audio? Tune in to 93.7 The Fan or 97.1 The Ticket via radio, the MLB app, or TuneIn.

The pattern: the most reliable approach is to pre-check your location against blackout maps and have a fallback streaming service ready.

Timeline: Key Matchups

Here are the confirmed game dates and broadcast details for both contests.

Date & Time Event Broadcast
July 21, 2025, 6:40 p.m. ET Regular season: Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates SNP · FDSDET
March 20, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET Spring Breakout: Detroit Tigers vs Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Network · SNP · FDSDET · Prime Video

Bottom line: Two distinct dates — the regular-season game is a midweek evening contest, while the Spring Breakout is a nationally televised prime-time exhibition. Mark your calendars and set your DVR.

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Regular-season game on July 21, 2025 at 6:40 p.m. ET at PNC Park (MLB.com (official preview))
  • Local TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh (Pirates) and FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (Tigers) (FOX Sports)
  • Streaming: MLB.TV (out-of-market), Fubo (both RSNs), YouTube TV (SNP in Pittsburgh), Prime Video (Spring Breakout) (Fubo (MLB coverage))
  • Pirates radio on 93.7 The Fan (FOX Sports)

What’s unclear

  • Exact international streaming availability beyond MLB.TV is not specified on official sources for this specific matchup
  • YouTube TV may not carry FDSDET in all markets — availability varies by region

The implication: while most domestic options are clear, international fans should verify MLB.TV access and prepare for regional gaps in streaming service coverage.

What the Broadcasters Say

“The Tigers and Pirates face off at PNC Park on July 23, with coverage on SportsNet PT and FDSDET.”

— FOX Sports (national sports broadcaster)

“The Spring Breakout game will air on SportsNet Pittsburgh and nationally on MLB Network.”

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (Pirates’ regional sports network) For more information on the Pirates vs Tigers game, check out $Pirates vs Tigers game.

“Pirates vs. Tigers can be streamed on MLB.TV without cable, and a free trial is available for spring training coverage.”

— Fubo (live TV streaming service)

The catch: broadcaster quotes confirm the two distinct broadcast paths – regional for regular season, national for Spring Breakout.

Summary

For Pittsburgh and Detroit fans, the 2025 regular-season meeting and the 2026 Spring Breakout game both offer plenty of ways to watch — but the key is knowing your market. If you’re in the Pirates or Tigers broadcast territory, your regional sports network (SNP or FDSDET) is the simplest route, whether you get it through cable, YouTube TV, or Fubo. Out-of-market viewers will rely on MLB.TV, with radio as a fallback. For the casual fan in Pittsburgh, the clear choice is to stream via YouTube TV or Fubo; for everyone else, MLB.TV plus a radio backup ensures you won’t miss a pitch.

Additional sources

espn.com, mlb.com

Frequently asked questions

What channel is SportsNet Pittsburgh on cable?

Channel numbers vary: on DirecTV it’s 659, on Verizon FiOS it’s 313, and on Dish it’s 658. Check with your provider for the latest listing (FOX Sports).

Is the Pirates game on MLB Network tonight?

Only the Spring Breakout game on March 20, 2026, will be on MLB Network. Regular-season games are not typically carried nationally (SportsNet Pittsburgh).

Can I stream Pirates vs Tigers on YouTube TV?

Yes, if you’re in the Pirates home market. YouTube TV carries SportsNet Pittsburgh in the Pittsburgh metro area (Fubo (match listing)).

Do I need a cable subscription to watch the Pirates game?

No. You can use a live TV streaming service like Fubo or YouTube TV that includes SNP or FDSDET. A cable login is not required for those platforms (Fubo (MLB coverage)).

What time does the Pittsburgh Pirates game start today?

The regular-season game on July 21, 2025, starts at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Spring Breakout game on March 20, 2026, starts at 8:00 p.m. ET (MLB.com (official preview)).

Is the Pirates game available on Prime Video?

Prime Video will host the Spring Breakout game on March 20, 2026, both live and on-demand. Regular-season games are not on Prime Video (SportsNet Pittsburgh).

How can I listen to the Pirates game on the radio?

Tune in to 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, or use the MLB app or TuneIn to stream the radio broadcast (FOX Sports).

Which affiliates carry the Pirates Radio Network?

The network includes more than 30 stations across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. Flagship 93.7 The Fan covers Pittsburgh; other affiliates include stations in Altoona, Johnstown, and Morgantown (FOX Sports).