If you're a sports enthusiast, you're likely no stranger to ESPN. Yet, the streaming service ESPN+ might still be a mystery to many, even though it's been available since 2018. While ESPN+ does offer live sports, it's designed to complement, rather than replace, traditional network channels, ensuring a comprehensive sports viewing experience.
Explore our comprehensive guide to ESPN+ below, featuring an overview of the service, the sports you can stream live, pricing details, and more 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. Check it out at ESPN+. ESPN+ is a subscription-based streaming platform that offers access to live sports events, exclusive ESPN films and series not found on regular ESPN networks, premium articles, and more.
However, despite its name, ESPN+ does not include access to popular ESPN channels like ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS. For example, if you want to watch SportsCenter, you'll still need a traditional cable or live TV subscription.
On the bright side, 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. Since 2019, it's been the exclusive home for "NFL Primetime," offering highlights and analysis of NFL games every Sunday night during the season. Plus, you can enjoy the entire archive of ESPN's renowned 30 For 30 sports documentary series with an ESPN+ subscription.
For those who enjoy in-depth sports analysis, ESPN+ provides access to ESPN+ Premium Articles on the ESPN website, where you can delve into detailed analyses, rankings, mock drafts, and more from renowned writers.
ESPN+ Plans and Prices (As of March 2025)
Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ Bundle
You can subscribe to all three services for $16.99 at Disney+. Alternatively, ESPN+ is available as a standalone subscription for $11.99 per month, or you can choose the ESPN+ Annual Plan for $119.99 per year, saving you 15% off the monthly rate. You can also bundle ESPN+ (With Ads) with Disney+ (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads) for $16.99 per month.
Answer See ResultsDoes ESPN+ Have a Free Trial?
Unfortunately, ESPN+ does not currently offer a free trial. There are no promotions available directly from ESPN, but the website mentions that some third parties might offer promotions. While ESPN+ itself doesn't provide a trial, other streaming services with sports content might.
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 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, you can watch thousands of live sporting events with an ESPN+ subscription. The sports lineup includes select NFL, MLB, and NHL games, various soccer leagues worldwide, F1, golf, boxing, a range of collegiate sports, and more. Availability can vary by region and is subject to blackouts.
ESPN+ is the exclusive streaming platform for UFC events, including Pay-Per-View (PPV) fights, Fight Nights, and more. While UFC PPV events cost an additional $79.99 on top of your ESPN+ subscription, UFC Fight Nights and other events are included at no extra cost. You can also stream 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 most live games throughout the season won't be available. However, for fans of UFC, NHL, soccer, and college sports, ESPN+ offers a substantial amount of content.
How to Watch ESPN+ - Available Platforms
ESPN+ 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 watch all your content conveniently 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, as well as gaming consoles such as PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
