You’re stuck in Midtown traffic, the sun is dipping behind the skyscrapers, and the familiar crack of a bat echoes through your car speakers. There’s something visceral about it. For a lot of us in Queens or out on the Island, the best way to listen to NY Mets games isn't sitting in front of a 4K TV—it’s the radio. It’s Howie Rose’s voice. It’s that specific rise in his tone when a ball carries toward the 370 marker in right-center field. If you’ve ever tried to find the game while driving through a dead zone in the Lincoln Tunnel, you know the struggle is real.
The landscape of sports broadcasting is messy right now.
Between blackout restrictions, streaming rights, and terrestrial radio shifts, just finding the "on" button can feel like a chore. Honestly, it shouldn't be this hard to hear a ballgame. Whether you are rocking an old-school transistor radio or trying to navigate the maze of MLB’s digital apps, you need a clear roadmap for the 2026 season.
The Standard: 880 WCBS and the Terrestrial Experience
For the longest time, the Mets were synonymous with 660 WFAN, but things change. Currently, the primary home to listen to NY Mets broadcasts is 880 WCBS-AM. It’s a powerhouse signal. You can usually pick it up from the Jersey Shore all the way up into Connecticut, depending on how the atmospheric conditions are feeling that day.
Howie Rose remains the gold standard. He’s been in the booth since 1995, and his "Put it in the books!" call is practically a religious experience for the Flushing faithful.
But what if you aren't near a radio? Or what if you’re in a building that eats AM signals for breakfast? You’ve got options, but they often come with a price tag.
If you’re within the New York market, you can’t always just stream the station’s website for free. Digital rights are a different beast than over-the-air rights. If you try to pull up the WCBS stream on a standard radio app like TuneIn while the game is on, you might just hear a generic talk show or a "this program is not available" loop. It’s frustrating. It’s annoying. It’s the modern reality of MLB licensing.
Breaking Down the MLB App and Digital Streaming
If you want zero hassle, the MLB App is basically the only way to go. It’s the most reliable way to listen to NY Mets games without worrying about whether your antenna is pointed toward the Empire State Building.
Here is the deal with the MLB app (formerly known as At Bat):
- The Cost: Usually around $3.99 a month or $29.99 for the entire year.
- The Perk: No blackouts for audio. This is huge. You can be standing in the shadow of Citi Field or sitting in a cafe in Tokyo; the audio stream always works.
- Choice of Feed: You can toggle between the Mets' home broadcast (WCBS) and the away team's feed. Sometimes it’s fun to hear how the other side is miserable when the Mets are winning.
- Spanish Broadcast: The Mets have a dedicated Spanish-language broadcast, usually on 92.7 FM WQBU or via the app. The energy is often way higher than the English feed.
Actually, the app has improved its latency lately. A few years ago, the "live" stream was about two pitches behind the real world. Now, it’s closer to a 5-10 second delay. If you’re checking Twitter (or X, whatever) while listening, you might still see a "HOME RUN" tweet before you hear it, so keep that in mind. Turn off notifications if you want the surprise.
Why the Radio Feed Beats the TV Broadcast
There is a nuance to radio that TV just can’t replicate. On SNY, Gary, Keith, and Ron are legendary. They are arguably the best booth in baseball. But radio forces the announcer to be your eyes.
Howie Rose describes the clouds. He tells you where the shortstop is shaded. He mentions the way the wind is whipping the flags in left field. It’s a narrative. It’s theater.
"Radio is the only medium where the pictures are better because you're painting them yourself."
When you listen to NY Mets on the radio, you aren't just a spectator; you're part of a long-standing New York tradition that dates back to the days of Bob Murphy. There’s a rhythm to it. The silence between pitches is just as important as the play-by-play.
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Audacy and the Streaming Loophole
Audacy is the parent company for WCBS. If you use the Audacy app, you can sometimes get the game for free if your GPS proves you are within the New York designated market area (DMA).
It’s finicky.
Sometimes the geofencing fails. Sometimes it asks you to log in three times. But if you’re looking to save the four bucks a month for the MLB app, this is your best bet. Just make sure your location services are turned on. If the app thinks you’re in Philly, you’re going to get a Phillies game, and nobody wants that.
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM for the Road Warrior
If you spend your life on the I-95 or driving through the "dead zones" of upstate New York, SiriusXM is the savior.
The Mets are usually broadcast on a rotating set of channels between 800 and 900 on the SiriusXM app, or on specific "Home" and "Away" channels on the hardware radio. The audio quality is crystal clear. No static. No fading out as you drive behind a mountain.
The downside? SiriusXM is pricey. Unless you’re on one of those "$5 a month for a year" promotional deals they constantly mail out, it’s an investment. But for a die-hard fan who needs to listen to NY Mets while crossing state lines, it’s the only way to ensure you don't miss an inning.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
- Static on 880 AM: This is usually caused by electronic interference. Try moving your radio away from your laptop or microwave. Seriously.
- Audio Out of Sync: If you're trying to watch the TV on mute and listen to the radio, they won't match. Radio is almost always faster than the TV stream. You’ll need a "delay" device or an app like "Radio Delay" on your PC to sync them up.
- App Crashing: Clear the cache on your MLB app. It gets bloated mid-season with too much data.
What About the Mets Radio Network?
It isn't just one station. The Mets Radio Network consists of a web of smaller stations across New York State and beyond. If you are in Albany, Syracuse, or even parts of Florida during Spring Training, you can often find the game on local affiliates.
These stations are the lifeblood of the fanbase outside the five boroughs. They carry the pre-game and post-game shows, which are honestly half the fun. Hearing the post-game "Mets Extra" show after a walk-off win is the best way to decompress after the stress of a tight ninth inning.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
To make sure you are never without the game, do these three things right now:
- Program your car presets: Put 880 AM in your #1 slot. If you have an FM HD radio, check if 880 is being simulcast on an HD-2 or HD-3 channel for better sound.
- Download the MLB App: Even if you don't pay for the premium audio, the free version gives you the "Gameday" pitch tracker, which is a great companion when you're listening.
- Check your data plan: Streaming a three-hour game can eat up a decent chunk of data if you aren't on Wi-Fi. Most games use about 60MB to 100MB of data per hour at standard quality.
Listening to the game is about more than just the score. It's about the connection to the team. It's about the voice of Howie Rose keeping you company while you're doing dishes or stuck in a late-night commute. It's the sound of summer in New York.
Make sure your batteries are fresh and your signal is strong. The 2026 season is too long to spend in silence. All you have to do is tune in, lean back, and wait for that first pitch. Put it in the books.