If you're a fan of sports, you're likely familiar with ESPN, the go-to sports network. However, ESPN's streaming service, ESPN+, might still leave some sports enthusiasts scratching their heads, despite being available since 2018. While ESPN+ does offer live sports, it's more of a complementary service that works best alongside traditional network channels to ensure you don't miss out on any action.
Dive into our comprehensive guide on ESPN+ below, which includes an overview of the service, the live sports you can stream, pricing details, and more for 2025.
What Is ESPN+? The Sports Streaming Service, Explained
ESPN+
Sign up for a standalone ESPN+ subscription or opt for the Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu. See it at ESPN+
ESPN+ is a subscription-based streaming service that offers access to live sporting events, exclusive ESPN films and series (many of which are not available on standard ESPN networks), premium articles, and more.
Despite its name, ESPN+ does not include access to the traditional ESPN network channels like ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS. If you want to catch shows like SportsCenter, you'll still need a traditional cable or live TV subscription.
However, ESPN+ boasts a growing collection of original ESPN TV shows, including "Man in the Arena" with Tom Brady, "Peyton's Places," "ESPN FC," and more. It's also been the exclusive home for NFL Primetime since 2019, featuring highlights and analysis of NFL games every Sunday night during the season. Subscribers can also enjoy the entire archive of ESPN's acclaimed 30 For 30 sports documentary series.
For sports fans who enjoy in-depth analysis, ESPN+ provides access to ESPN+ Premium Articles on the ESPN website, offering detailed analysis, rankings, mock drafts, and more from renowned sports writers.
ESPN+ Plans and Prices (As of March 2025)
Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ Bundle
Includes all three services for $16.99 at Disney+
You can subscribe to ESPN+ as a standalone service for $11.99 per month, or choose the ESPN+ Annual Plan for $119.99 per year, saving you 15% off the monthly price. Alternatively, you can bundle ESPN+ (With Ads) with Disney+ (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads) for $16.99 per month.
Does ESPN+ Have a Free Trial?
Unfortunately, ESPN+ does not currently offer a free trial. There are no promotions available directly from ESPN, though the ESPN website mentions that some third parties may offer promotions. While ESPN+ itself doesn't provide a trial, you can explore free trials from other streaming services that offer sports content.
What Channels Does ESPN+ Include?
ESPN+ does not include traditional channels. Instead, it offers a variety of live sporting events currently airing, a vast archive of previously aired events, and exclusive on-demand ESPN series and shows, most of which are not available on standard ESPN channels.
Can You Watch Live Sports on ESPN+?
Yes, you can watch thousands of live sporting events with an ESPN+ subscription. The sports selection includes select NFL, MLB, and NHL games, various soccer leagues from around the world, F1, golf, boxing, collegiate sports, and more. Availability depends on your location and is subject to regional blackouts.
ESPN+ is also the exclusive platform for streaming UFC events, including Pay-Per-View (PPV) fights, Fight Nights, and more. While UFC PPV events require an additional $79.99 on top of your ESPN+ subscription, UFC Fight Nights and other events are included at no extra cost, along with access to hundreds of popular fights from the UFC archive.
Don't expect ESPN+ to replace existing season pass-like services such as NFL Sunday Ticket or MLB.TV, as the majority of live games throughout the season are not available on ESPN+. However, for fans of UFC, NHL, soccer, and college sports, ESPN+ offers a substantial amount of content.
How to Watch ESPN+ - Available Platforms
ESPN+, like many other streaming services, is available on a variety of devices in HD, supporting up to three simultaneous streams. If you subscribe to the Disney Bundle Trio (including Hulu and ESPN+), you can conveniently watch all your content through the Disney+ app (in the US).
You can also access ESPN+ through the ESPN app on your mobile device, streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Google Chromecast, select smart TVs, and gaming consoles such as PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
