Is a Willow TV Subscription Worth It in 2026? Everything U.S. Cricket Fans Need to Know Before They Sign Up

If you love cricket and live in the United States, you have probably already heard about getting a Willow TV subscription — but with so many plans, platforms, and pricing options available right now, it can be genuinely confusing to figure out which path makes the most sense for you. Whether you are a longtime IPL fanatic or someone just discovering the sport, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Willow TV in 2026, from the cost of a direct subscription to which streaming bundles give you the best value.

Cricket season is in full swing. The IPL 2026 is launching in late March, and the ICC T20 World Cup is drawing massive attention from fans across North America. There has never been a better moment to lock in your access.

Start streaming today — keep reading to find the plan that fits your screen and your budget.


What Is Willow TV?

Willow TV, now officially rebranded as Willow by Cricbuzz, is the only 24/7 live cricket channel in the United States. It holds the exclusive North American broadcast rights for the Indian Premier League, all ICC World Cup tournaments, and a wide range of bilateral international series. The network covers cricket from India, England, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and beyond.

The channel operates both as a traditional pay-television network carried by major cable and satellite providers and as a standalone digital subscription available through its own website and app. That dual structure gives fans in every situation — cord-cutters, cable subscribers, and everything in between — a clear path to watching live matches.

Willow was originally launched in the U.S. in 2010 and has grown steadily alongside the expanding South Asian diaspora and the broader rise of cricket fandom in North America. Today, its partnership with Cricbuzz adds real-time stats, live scorecards, and editorial content alongside the broadcast product.


How Much Does a Willow TV Subscription Cost in 2026?

The most direct and affordable option is subscribing straight through Willow’s own website or app. The monthly plan runs $9.99 per month, while the annual plan comes in at $79.99 per year — which breaks down to roughly $6.67 per month if you commit for the full year. Both plans include high-definition live streams, full-match replays, and access across major smart TV platforms including Roku, Apple TV, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more. A single account supports streaming on up to two devices simultaneously.

For anyone who already pays for a cable or streaming bundle, Willow is also available through several major providers. Sling TV offers Willow HD and Willow Xtra for $10 per month through its Dakshin Flex or Desi Binge plans — one of the most affordable third-party options available. Fubo includes Willow as part of its Latino International Sports Plus package for $21.99 per month, and comes with a seven-day free trial. DIRECTV carries Willow through its Entertainment Sports Pack at $99.99 per month with a five-day free trial. Willow is also available as a channel add-on through Amazon Prime Video at $9.99 per month, making it easy to bundle with an existing Prime membership.


What You Get With a Willow TV Subscription

A direct Willow subscription is not just about live matches — though that is clearly the main attraction. Subscribers also get access to a catch-up feature that lets you replay matches from the beginning even if you tune in late, highlights and replays available on demand, and bundled access to Cricbuzz Plus for advanced statistics and in-depth analysis. The platform covers over 60 live matches per month during peak cricket periods, spanning international tours, franchise leagues, and domestic competitions from multiple countries.

Willow’s broadcast team includes well-known voices from the sport, including commentators with years of experience covering international cricket at the highest level. For U.S.-based matches and select domestic coverage, a dedicated team of North American commentators handles the call.

The app is compatible with iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Google TV, Android TV, and Xbox One. The service is available exclusively in the United States and Canada.


Why 2026 Is a Big Year to Subscribe

The timing could not be better for new subscribers. IPL 2026 — the 19th season of the Indian Premier League — gets underway in late March, featuring 84 total matches and running through May. That alone gives subscribers nearly two full months of elite T20 cricket, with top stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, and Rashid Khan all competing at the highest level.

Alongside the IPL, the ICC T20 World Cup is bringing massive energy to global cricket right now. Willow is the official broadcaster for both tournaments in the U.S. and Canada, meaning every live match, every boundary, and every wicket is available through a single subscription.

Willow has also expanded its reach this season through a partnership that made select Team USA matches from the T20 World Cup available for free on YouTube — a significant move that introduced the platform to a whole new audience of casual cricket fans in North America.


Is There a Free Trial?

One of the most common questions fans ask is whether Willow TV offers a free trial. When subscribing directly through the Willow website or app, there is currently no free trial available — your billing begins as soon as you subscribe. However, if you access Willow through Fubo or DIRECTV, those platforms do offer their own free trials (seven days and five days respectively), which include Willow TV access during the trial period. That is a legitimate way to test the service before committing to a paid plan.


A Few Things to Be Aware Of

Willow TV has a strong content library, but it is worth knowing that some users have reported app performance issues — particularly on older Roku devices after software updates. Customer service response times have also drawn criticism from some subscribers, with email support sometimes taking 48 hours or more to respond. If you ever need to cancel, the most reliable method is logging into willow.tv directly and selecting the Payment or Subscription tab to cancel recurring billing. If you subscribed through Apple, cancellation must go through Apple’s system settings — not the app itself.


The Bottom Line

For cricket fans in the United States, a Willow TV subscription remains the single most complete solution available in 2026. At $9.99 per month or $79.99 for the year, the value is strong — especially with the IPL and T20 World Cup both happening right now. Whether you go direct through Willow or bundle through Sling, Fubo, or DIRECTV, the coverage is comprehensive and the content lineup this season is genuinely outstanding.


If you are a current subscriber or just getting started, drop a comment below and let us know which IPL 2026 team you are rooting for — and stay tuned for more cricket streaming updates as the season heats up.

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