Roku has introduced four brand‑new live channels to its free, ad‑supported catalog in the United States, timed just days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off. The additions – FIFA Plus Women, FIFA Plus Español, Sports Illustrated and Stingray Hooked – each occupy a unique channel number on the Roku interface, broadening the platform’s sports and outdoor offerings.

Four new free channels debut ahead of 2026 World Cup

According to the Roku announcement, the four channels join more than twenty‑five live feeds added since early 2024, pushing the total of complimentary streams well into the dozens. By stacking these options before the tournament’s opening matches, Roku signals its intent to become a go‑to hub for fans seeking alternatives to traditional broadcast packages.

FIFA Plus Women and Español target growing women’s soccer audience

FIFA Plus Women, found on channel 5243, is dedicated to women’s football, delivering live matches, highlights, tactical analysis and original documentaries that spotlight female athletes. Its Spanish‑language counterpart, FIFA Plus Español, mirrors the same content in Spanish, catering to bilingual viewers and the expanding Latin American fan base.

The rollout arrives as women’s soccer enjoys unprecedented global attention, with international tournaments and club competitions drawing record viewership. As the source notes, both channels aim to give fans comprehensive access to the sport at a mmoent when “the sport is gaining unprecedented global attention.”

Sports Illustrated channel brings multi‑sport news to Roku

Channel 227 hosts the new Sports Illustrated stream, which aggregates news, expert analysis and highlight packages from the storied sports media brand. Unlike the soccer‑focused FIFA Plus feeds, this channel covers basketball, baseball and other major leagues, offering Roku users a one‑stop shop for daily sports highlights.

The inclusion of a recognized name like Sports Illustrated adds credibility to Roku’s free offering and may attract viewers who prefer a broader sports digest without subscribing to multiple paid services.

Stingray Hooked adds fishing content to diversify ad‑supported lineup

Stingray Hooked, assigned to channel 530, streams fishing expeditions, angling tutorials and adventure documentaries from around the globe.. While it does not focus on soccer, its presence reflects Roku’s strategy of mixing niche interests with mainstream sports to keep a wider audience engaged.

By offering such varied content, Roku hopes to retain viewers who might otherwise switch to pay‑TV packages for specialized programming, especially as World Cup fever spreads across the country .

Will ad‑supported streams capture World Cup viewers away from pay TV?

The source does not provide data on viewer migration, leaving open whether Roku’s free channels will siphon significant audiences from subscription services. Additionally, it remains unclear how many advertisers will commit to the new ad‑supported slots during the World Cup period, a factor that could determine the financial viability of the strategy.