ESPN+ subscription costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year if you pay upfront

ESPN+ is a streaming service run by The Walt Disney Company that shows live sports, original shows, and on-demand content. The monthly plan renews automatically each month. The annual plan saves you about $20 compared to paying month-to-month, but you pay the full year upfront. Both plans give you the same access to content — the only difference is how often you pay and the total cost.

Disney also offers bundle deals that combine ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu. A bundle with both ad-supported versions costs $14.99 per month. A bundle with ad-free Disney+ and Hulu plus ad-supported ESPN+ costs $24.99 per month. These bundles can save money if you want more than one service, but they lock you into paying for all three even if you only watch one.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN+ costs $10.99 per month on a month-to-month plan or $109.99 per year if you pay annually.
  • The annual plan saves about $20 per year compared to monthly payments, but requires paying the full amount upfront.
  • Bundle options with Disney+ and Hulu range from $14.99 to $24.99 per month depending on whether you want ads.
  • You can cancel anytime on the monthly plan, but annual subscriptions typically do not refund unused months.
  • ESPN+ does not include all live sports — some games require cable or a separate pay-per-view purchase.

What sports and content ESPN+ actually includes

ESPN+ shows live games from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and college sports, but not every game from those leagues. For example, some NFL games air on ESPN+ while others require cable or are broadcast on network television. The same applies to college football and basketball — ESPN+ has certain matchups, but marquee games often air on traditional ESPN channels or ABC.

The service also includes original shows, documentaries, and analysis programs made by ESPN. You get access to the full ESPN+ back catalog, so you can watch past games and shows on demand. However, live games are not available on demand immediately after they air — you typically cannot rewatch a live game until several hours or days later, depending on broadcast rights.

Major events like the Super Bowl, World Series, and March Madness do not air on ESPN+ because those rights belong to other broadcasters. If you want to watch those events, you will need cable, a network broadcast, or a separate purchase.

How to cancel and what happens to your money

You can cancel your ESPN+ subscription anytime through your account settings on the ESPN+ website or app. For month-to-month plans, cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle — you keep access until that date, then it stops. You will not be charged again after you cancel.

Annual subscriptions work differently. If you cancel before your year is up, most refund policies do not return the unused portion of your payment. Check your specific refund terms when you sign up, because Disney's policy can vary depending on how you purchased the subscription (directly from ESPN+, through an app store, or through a cable provider bundle).

If you signed up through an app store like Apple's App Store or Google Play, you may need to cancel through that app store rather than through ESPN+ itself. The same applies if you bought ESPN+ as part of a cable or streaming bundle — cancellation may require contacting your provider instead.

Price increases and how to know when they happen

ESPN+ has raised its price multiple times since launch. The service started at $4.99 per month in 2018 and has increased to its current $10.99 monthly rate. Disney typically announces price changes in advance and gives existing subscribers a grace period before the new price takes effect.

When a price increase happens, you will receive an email notification before your next billing date. If you are on a month-to-month plan, the new price applies at your next renewal. If you are on an annual plan, the increase typically does not affect you until your current year expires and you renew.

Comparing ESPN+ to cable sports packages and other streaming options

ESPN+ is cheaper than a cable sports package, which can cost $50 to $150 per month depending on your provider and which channels you add. However, cable includes more live games across all major sports because cable channels have broadcast rights ESPN+ does not own.

Other streaming services offer sports content too. Peacock (NBC's service) costs $5.99 per month with ads or $11.99 without ads and includes some NFL, NHL, and Premier League games. Apple TV+ does not focus on sports. YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV both cost around $70 per month and include ESPN channels plus hundreds of other channels, but they are more expensive than ESPN+ alone.

The choice depends on which sports you watch and how many games you want access to. If you follow one or two sports casually, ESPN+ may be enough. If you want comprehensive coverage of multiple leagues, a cable package or live TV streaming service will give you more games, though at a higher cost.

How to pay and what payment methods ESPN+ accepts

ESPN+ accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and PayPal. You can also pay through your Apple ID if you have an Apple device, or through Google Play if you use Android. Some cable and streaming bundles allow you to add ESPN+ to your existing bill instead of paying separately.

When you sign up, ESPN+ charges your payment method immediately for the first month or year, depending on which plan you choose. After that, the service charges you on the same day each month or year. If a payment fails, ESPN+ will typically try again a few times before suspending your account.

Free trials and promotional offers

ESPN+ occasionally offers free trial periods, usually seven days, though the length and availability of trials change over time. You will need to enter a payment method to start a free trial, and the service will charge you when the trial ends unless you cancel beforehand.

Disney sometimes runs promotions that reduce the first month's cost or offer discounted annual rates. These deals are most common during major sporting events or holidays. Check the ESPN+ website directly or look for offers through your cable provider or app store, as promotional pricing varies by where you sign up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my ESPN+ account with family members?

ESPN+ allows you to stream on multiple devices at the same time, but the terms of service restrict account sharing to your household. Disney does not actively police this, but they reserve the right to limit simultaneous streams or require verification of household members.

Do I need cable to watch ESPN+ games?

No. ESPN+ is a standalone service that works on its own. However, some games that air on ESPN+ also require a cable login to watch on the ESPN app or website — check the specific game listing to see if cable is required.

What happens if I switch from monthly to annual or vice versa?

You can change your plan type anytime. If you switch from monthly to annual mid-cycle, you will be charged the annual rate minus what you already paid for the current month. Switching from annual to monthly typically takes effect at your next renewal date.

Is ESPN+ available outside the United States?

ESPN+ is primarily available in the United States. Some content may be available in other countries, but pricing, available sports, and features differ. Check the ESPN+ website in your country to see what is offered in your region.

Can I watch ESPN+ on my smart TV?

Yes. ESPN+ has apps for most major smart TV platforms including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung, and LG. You can also cast or mirror ESPN+ from your phone or computer to a compatible TV.