What ESPN+ costs and what you get

ESPN+ is a streaming service owned by Disney that shows live sports, original shows, and on-demand replays. It costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year if you pay upfront. There is also a bundle option that combines ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu for $14.99 per month, which costs less than paying for each service separately.

ESPN+ does not include every game from major sports leagues. It carries some NFL games, most college football and basketball games, NHL and MLS matches, and extensive coverage of tennis, golf, rugby, and cricket. It also has original documentaries and analysis shows. What it does not have: regular-season NBA games, most primetime NFL games, or World Series baseball games — those air on cable channels or other streaming services.

The service works on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. You can watch on up to four devices at the same time on one account.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN+ costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year, and a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu costs $14.99 per month.
  • The service carries college sports, some professional games, and original sports content, but not most NBA or primetime NFL games.
  • You can stream on four devices at once and watch on phones, tablets, computers, and most major streaming devices.
  • ESPN+ requires a separate subscription from cable ESPN; having cable does not include ESPN+ access.

Which sports are actually on ESPN+

College football and college basketball make up a large part of ESPN+ content. You will find most games that do not air on the main ESPN cable channel, plus some exclusive matchups. The service also carries every UFC fight card, which is a major draw for combat sports fans.

Professional sports on ESPN+ include NHL games (not all, but a rotating selection), MLS soccer matches, and some NFL games — though these are usually Thursday night games or less prominent matchups, not Sunday or Monday Night Football. Tennis majors like Wimbledon and the US Open have some coverage, along with golf tournaments, rugby, cricket, and other international sports.

Original content includes documentary series about athletes and teams, analysis shows, and behind-the-scenes access. ESPN+ also offers replays of classic games and events from ESPN's archive.

How the bundle saves money compared to separate subscriptions

If you want ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu together, the bundle costs $14.99 per month. Paying for each separately would cost $10.99 + $7.99 + $7.99 = $26.97 per month. The bundle saves you about $12 per month, or roughly $144 per year.

Disney+ includes Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, National Geographic, and Disney's own films and shows. Hulu has current-season TV shows, older series, and original programs. If you use all three services, the bundle is the better deal. If you only want ESPN+, the standalone subscription is cheaper.

There is also a bundle that includes ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu with ads for $14.99 per month, and a version with no ads on Hulu for $19.99 per month. The ad-free Hulu option costs more but removes commercials from that service only.

What happens if you already have cable ESPN

Having cable ESPN does not include ESPN+ access. They are separate services run by the same company but require separate subscriptions. Some cable providers offer ESPN+ as an add-on or discount, so it is worth checking your cable bill or calling your provider to see if they have a deal.

If you have cable, you can log into the ESPN app with your cable credentials to watch some live games and on-demand content. But ESPN+ exclusive games and shows require the ESPN+ subscription, even if you pay for cable ESPN.

Device compatibility and streaming limits

ESPN+ works on most devices: iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, computers (Windows and Mac), Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, Samsung Smart TVs, and PlayStation and Xbox consoles. You can download some content to watch offline on the mobile app.

One account allows four simultaneous streams, meaning four people can watch different things at the same time. If a fifth person tries to log in and watch, they will get an error. You can change your password to log out all devices and start fresh if someone outside your household has access.

Canceling and pausing your subscription

You can cancel ESPN+ anytime through your account settings on the ESPN website or app. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — if you pay monthly, you keep access until the next billing date. If you pay yearly, you lose access after 12 months from your start date.

ESPN does not offer a pause or freeze option. If you want to stop paying temporarily, you have to cancel and then resubscribe later. There is no penalty for canceling, and you do not lose any saved preferences or watchlist items if you come back.

How to sign up and payment methods

You can sign up on ESPN.com or through the ESPN app. You will need an email address and a payment method: credit card, debit card, PayPal, or Apple Pay. If you sign up through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, the payment goes through that platform instead.

The first time you sign up, there is no free trial. You are charged immediately for your first month or year, depending on which plan you choose. If you cancel and resubscribe later, you still do not get a trial — you pay right away.

If you sign up through a third-party platform like Apple or Google, canceling through ESPN.com will not work. You have to cancel through the app store where you subscribed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch live games on ESPN+ or only replays?

ESPN+ shows live games for college sports, some professional leagues, and UFC events. You can also watch replays of most games on demand. Not every game is available live or as a replay — it depends on broadcast rights and which network has the exclusive rights to that game.

Do I need ESPN+ to watch games on the ESPN app?

No. If you have cable ESPN, you can log in with your cable credentials to watch some content. But ESPN+ exclusive games and shows require the ESPN+ subscription. The ESPN app shows you which content needs ESPN+ before you try to watch.

What if I share my ESPN+ password with someone outside my home?

ESPN's terms of service say the account is for your household only. If you share your password with people outside your home, Disney can disable the account. There is no official way to add people outside your household to one account.

Is there a student discount for ESPN+?

ESPN does not offer a student discount on ESPN+ itself. However, some colleges include ESPN+ access through their student tech packages or athletic department partnerships. Check with your school's IT or student services to see if it is included.

Can I use ESPN+ internationally?

ESPN+ is only available in the United States. If you travel outside the US, you will not be able to stream. Some content may also be blocked in certain countries due to broadcast rights agreements.