What ESPN+ is and what you get for the monthly fee

ESPN+ is a streaming service run by Disney that shows live sports, original shows, and on-demand replays. You pay a monthly or annual fee to watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. The service does not include ESPN's main cable channel — it is a separate product with its own content library.

What you receive depends on which plan you choose. ESPN+ offers a basic plan and a bundle option. The basic plan gives you access to thousands of live events, original documentaries, and sports analysis shows. The bundle combines ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ at a single monthly price, which costs less than paying for each service separately.

ESPN+ carries live games from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, college football, college basketball, soccer, and dozens of other sports. It also produces original content like documentary series, interview shows, and analysis programs you cannot find on the cable channel.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN+ costs between $11 and $15 per month for the basic plan, depending on whether you pay monthly or commit to a year upfront.
  • A bundle that includes Hulu and Disney+ costs less per month than buying each service separately.
  • ESPN+ streams on phones, tablets, computers, web browsers, and smart TVs through apps or a website.
  • Not all sports games appear on ESPN+ — some are exclusive to cable ESPN, ABC, or other networks, so you may need multiple services to watch your team.
  • You can cancel anytime; there is no contract or early termination fee.

Monthly and annual pricing options

ESPN+ offers two payment schedules. A monthly plan costs around $11.99 per month and renews automatically each month. An annual plan costs around $119.99 per year, which works out to roughly $10 per month if you pay the full year upfront. Prices vary slightly by region and change periodically, so check the ESPN+ website for current rates in your area.

The bundle option combines ESPN+, Hulu (with ads), and Disney+ into one subscription. This bundle costs around $14.99 per month. If you wanted to buy each service separately at their standard rates, the total would be higher, so the bundle saves money if you use more than one service. A bundle with ad-free Hulu costs more per month.

Disney occasionally runs promotional offers — discounted first months, free trial periods, or bundle deals. These promotions appear on the ESPN+ website and through partner retailers. Promotions change throughout the year and are not may provide.

How to set up an account and start watching

To create an account, go to the ESPN+ website or download the ESPN+ app on your device. You will need an email address and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal). Enter your information, choose your plan, and complete the payment. Your account becomes active immediately, and you can start watching right away.

ESPN+ works on most devices: iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, computers and laptops (through a web browser), Amazon Fire devices, Apple TV, Roku, Google Chromecast, Samsung Smart TVs, and Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Download the app or visit ESPN.com and sign in with your account credentials.

If you already have a Disney account (from Disney+, Hulu, or another Disney service), you can link your ESPN+ subscription to that account. This lets you manage all your Disney subscriptions in one place and makes it easier to switch between services.

What sports and events are included

ESPN+ carries live games and events from major leagues and sports. This includes select NFL games, NBA games, NHL games, MLB games, MLS soccer, college football, college basketball, and international soccer leagues. It also shows UFC fights, boxing, golf tournaments, tennis, cricket, rugby, and many other sports depending on broadcasting rights.

Not every game from every league appears on ESPN+. Some games air only on cable ESPN, ABC, or other networks. For example, you might see some NFL games on ESPN+ but not all — the most popular games often air on cable or broadcast networks instead. Check the ESPN+ schedule before you subscribe to confirm your team's games are included.

Beyond live sports, ESPN+ produces original documentaries, interview series, analysis shows, and replays of past events. You can watch these on demand anytime after they premiere.

Canceling your subscription

You can cancel ESPN+ anytime through your account settings on the ESPN+ website or app. Go to your account menu, find the subscription or billing section, and select cancel. There is no penalty, no contract, and no requirement to give notice. Your access ends at the end of your current billing period — if you cancel mid-month on a monthly plan, you keep access until the next billing date.

If you are on an annual plan and cancel before the year is up, you do not receive a refund for the unused portion. You simply lose access when the year ends. Some people choose annual plans anyway because the per-month cost is lower, even if they might cancel early.

If you subscribed through a third-party service like Apple, Google Play, or Amazon, you may need to cancel through that platform instead of directly through ESPN+. Check where you originally signed up.

Comparing ESPN+ to other sports streaming options

Other services also stream sports. Hulu + Live TV includes cable ESPN and many other channels for a higher monthly price but gives you live TV access beyond just sports. YouTube TV and Sling TV offer similar live TV packages. Apple TV+ carries some sports content but is not primarily a sports service. Amazon Prime Video streams some NFL games and other events as part of a broader entertainment subscription.

If you want to watch a specific team or league, research which service carries the most games you care about. Many people subscribe to multiple services because no single service has all games. For example, you might use ESPN+ for some games, cable ESPN for others, and a league-specific app for the rest.

The bundle option (ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+) makes sense if you watch content on all three services. If you only want sports, the basic ESPN+ plan is cheaper than a full live TV service.

Technical requirements and streaming quality

ESPN+ streams in high definition (HD) and 4K on supported devices. The quality depends on your internet connection speed — ESPN recommends at least 8 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your connection is slower, the stream may buffer or drop to lower quality automatically.

You can stream on multiple devices at once, but the number of simultaneous streams depends on your plan. Most plans allow a limited number of streams at the same time (typically two or three). If you exceed this limit, you will receive a message asking you to stop watching on another device.

ESPN+ works on older devices too, but very old phones, tablets, or smart TVs may not support the app. Check your device's app store to see if ESPN+ is available for your model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch ESPN+ on my TV?

Yes. ESPN+ works on most smart TVs through an app, and on older TVs through devices like Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, Xbox, or PlayStation. Download the ESPN+ app from your TV's app store or connect a streaming device to your TV's HDMI port.

Do I need cable to watch ESPN+?

No. ESPN+ is a standalone service and does not require a cable subscription. However, some games air only on cable ESPN or broadcast networks, so if you want to watch all games from a team or league, you may need cable or another service in addition to ESPN+.

Can I share my ESPN+ account with family members?

ESPN+ allows multiple people to watch on different devices at the same time, up to a limit set by your plan. However, sharing your login with people outside your household may violate ESPN's terms of service. Check ESPN's current policy on account sharing.

What happens if I cancel and then want to resubscribe?

You can resubscribe anytime by signing back into your account or creating a new one. If you had an existing account, your watchlist and preferences may still be saved. Promotional offers for returning subscribers sometimes appear, but they are not may provide.

Is ESPN+ the same as the ESPN app?

No. The ESPN app is free and shows scores, news, and highlights. ESPN+ is the paid streaming service that shows full live games and events. You can use both apps on the same device — the ESPN app does not require a subscription, but ESPN+ does.