If you're a sports enthusiast, you're likely no stranger to ESPN. Yet, the streaming service ESPN+ might still leave some fans scratching their heads, even though it's been available since 2018. While ESPN+ does offer live sports, it primarily serves as a complementary service that works well alongside traditional cable channels, ensuring you don't miss out on any action.
Explore our comprehensive guide to ESPN+ below, which covers the service's overview, live sports streaming options, pricing details, and more, updated for 2025.
What Is ESPN+? The Sports Streaming Service, Explained
ESPN+
You can 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 provides access to live sports events, exclusive ESPN films and series not typically found on standard ESPN networks, premium articles, and more.
Despite its name, ESPN+ does not include access to popular ESPN network channels like ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS. If you want to watch shows like SportsCenter, you'll still need a traditional cable or live TV subscription.
However, ESPN+ boasts a growing catalog of original ESPN 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, offering highlights and analysis of NFL games every Sunday night during the season. Additionally, with an ESPN+ subscription, you can access the entire archive of the acclaimed 30 for 30 sports documentary series.
For those who enjoy in-depth sports analysis, ESPN+ offers access to ESPN+ Premium Articles on the ESPN website, featuring 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+. ESPN+ can be purchased as a standalone subscription for $11.99 per month, or you can opt for the ESPN+ Annual Plan, which costs $119.99 per year, saving you 15% off the monthly price. You can also 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 ongoing promotions, but the ESPN website mentions that some third parties might offer deals. While ESPN+ itself doesn't provide a trial, other streaming services offer free trials that include sports content.
What Channels Does ESPN+ Include?
ESPN+ does not include traditional channels. Instead, it features a variety of live sporting events, a vast archive of past 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! With an ESPN+ subscription, you can stream thousands of live sporting events. The lineup includes select NFL, MLB, and NHL games, various international soccer leagues, F1, golf, boxing, a range of college sports, and more. Availability may vary by region and is subject to blackouts.
ESPN+ is also the exclusive streaming platform for 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, Fight Nights and other events are included at no extra cost. You can also access hundreds of popular fights from the UFC archive.
Keep in mind that ESPN+ isn't meant to replace comprehensive sports packages like NFL Sunday Ticket or MLB.TV, as most live games throughout the season won't be available. However, for fans of UFC, NHL, soccer, and college sports, ESPN+ offers a substantial selection.
How to Watch ESPN+ - Available Platforms
Similar to other streaming apps, ESPN+ is available on multiple devices in HD, supporting up to three simultaneous streams. If you subscribe to the Disney Bundle Trio (including Hulu and ESPN+), you can watch all your content through the Disney+ app in the US.
You can access ESPN+ through the ESPN app on mobile devices, streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Google Chromecast, select smart TVs, as well as gaming consoles such as PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
