ESPN+ Streaming Guide: Your Ultimate Hub for Exclusive Sports & Originals

Unlock exclusive live events and acclaimed original series with ESPN+. From UFC Fight Nights and La Liga soccer to the entire 30 for 30 library, it delivers can't-miss content not found on traditional ESPN channels. This guide covers its unique offerings and why it's an essential service for the passionate sports fan.

Get Your All-Access ESPN+ Pass Now!

What Exactly is ESPN+?

"Your Home for Exclusive Live Sports and ESPN Originals."

ESPN+ is a standalone premium streaming service that complements, rather than replaces, ESPN's traditional linear television channels. It's designed to give you more of the sports content you love, focusing on exclusive live events, original programming, and an extensive on-demand library.

With an ESPN+ subscription, you gain access to:

  • ✅Thousands of exclusive live events from UFC, NHL, La Liga, NCAA, PGA Tour, and more.
  • ✅The complete 30 for 30 documentary library and acclaimed ESPN+ Originals.
  • ✅Premium articles and fantasy tools from top ESPN insiders.
  • ✅Content delivered in HD quality through the ESPN App.
Important Distinction: Important Distinction: ESPN+ is separate from ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU. An ESPN+ subscription does NOT grant access to the live streams of these traditional cable channels. To watch those, you need a separate TV subscription through a cable, satellite, or live TV streaming provider. .

ESPN+ Plans & Pricing

ESPN+ offers straightforward pricing, with the best value often found when bundled with other popular streaming services.

ESPN+ Monthly

$11.99/mo

Flexible, month-to-month access.

  • Includes: Exclusive live sports events
  • Includes: Full 30 for 30 library & ESPN+ Originals
  • Includes: Premium articles & fantasy tools
Subscribe Monthly

ESPN+ Annual

$119.99/yr

Save over 15% compared to monthly!

  • Includes: All ESPN+ Monthly benefits
  • Benefit: "Smarter play" for year-round fans
  • Benefit: One convenient annual payment
Get Annual Plan

Disney Bundle (With Ads)

$16.99/mo

Save ~$14/month vs. individual subscriptions!

  • Includes: ESPN+ (with ads on live events)
  • Includes: Disney+ (with ads)
  • Includes: Hulu (with ads)
  • Benefit: Ultimate entertainment & sports value
Get the Disney Bundle

Disney Bundle (No Ads)

$26.99/mo

Enjoy ad-free Disney+ & Hulu!

  • Includes: ESPN+ (live events still have ads)
  • Includes: Disney+ (no ads)
  • Includes: Hulu (no ads)
  • Benefit: Premium viewing experience
Upgrade to Premium Bundle

UFC PPV + Annual Bundle

$89.98/one-time

For new ESPN+ subscribers only!

  • Includes: One year of ESPN+ access
  • Includes: One UFC Pay-Per-View event
  • Benefit: Best value for new UFC fans
Get UFC PPV Bundle

ESPN+ Gift Subscription

$119.99/yr

For new ESPN+ subscribers only!

  • Benefit: Give the gift of sports!
  • Includes: One year of ESPN+ access
  • Benefit: Perfect for any sports fan
Give a Gift

Sports Coverage on ESPN+: A Fan's Dream

ESPN+ is your gateway to an incredible array of live sports and in-depth coverage, focusing on exclusive events you won't find anywhere else.

Key Sports & Content:

Combat Sports: Exclusive UFC Fight Nights, Top Rank Boxing, and access to purchase UFC PPV events.

College Sports: Over 6,000 live NCAA games annually across football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and more from conferences like ACC, Big 12, Ivy League, and SEC.

Ice Hockey: Over 1,050 live out-of-market NHL games under "NHL Power Play on ESPN+".

Soccer: All 380 La Liga games each season (English/Spanish commentary), plus Bundesliga, FA Cup, NWSL, and USL Championship.

Golf: PGA Tour Live with expanded coverage, alternate commentary, and featured groups/holes for over 35 tournaments.

More Sports: Auto Racing (select F1), Baseball (daily MLB), Basketball (G League, FIBA), Tennis (Grand Slams), Lacrosse, Cricket, Rugby, and more.

Beyond Live Sports: Original Content & Features

ESPN+ offers more than just live games. Dive into exclusive series and gain an edge with premium analysis:

30 for 30 Library: Access the entire acclaimed documentary series, offering deep dives into sports history.

ESPN+ Originals: Enjoy exclusive studio shows and series like The Ultimate Fighter, Peyton's Places, Detail, DC & RC, NFL PrimeTime, and The Pat McAfee Show.

Premium Articles: Read exclusive articles and in-depth analysis from top ESPN writers and insiders.

Fantasy Tools: Enhance your fantasy sports experience with exclusive tools and insights.

Unlock More Live Sports with ESPN+ & a VPN

ESPN+ is home to thousands of exclusive live events, from UFC to MLB and NHL. However, many games are subject to regional blackouts.

Why Use a VPN with ESPN+?

A VPN is the ultimate tool for any serious sports fan using ESPN+. It allows you to change your virtual location to bypass blackout restrictions, ensuring you can watch your favorite teams play, no matter where you are.

Defeat Game Blackouts:

Easily get around local and national blackouts for MLB, NHL, and MLS games by connecting to a server in a different US market.

Stream Securely Anywhere:

Encrypt your traffic to watch games privately, even on restrictive networks at work, school, or on public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Access Your Account Abroad:

ESPN+ is only available in the US. A VPN with US servers is essential for accessing your subscription while traveling overseas.

Recommended VPN Providers:

Choose a VPN with a large US server network for the best results. Proven options for ESPN+ are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost.

Watch More Sports: Get Your VPN Now!

Why Choose ESPN+?

ESPN+ stands out as a compelling choice for sports fans due to its unique content and value proposition:

Unrivaled Exclusive Content

Access thousands of live events, including UFC Fight Nights, out-of-market NHL games, and top international soccer, not available anywhere else.

Iconic On-Demand Library

Binge-watch the entire 30 for 30 documentary series and a growing collection of ESPN+ Originals.

Exceptional Value with Bundles

The Disney Bundle offers significant savings by combining ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu for comprehensive entertainment.

Affordable Supplementary Service

At a low monthly or annual price, ESPN+ is an affordable way to deepen your sports coverage without a full live TV subscription.

Your Sports, Your Devices: Stream Seamlessly, Anywhere

ESPN+ content is delivered in HD quality through the ESPN App, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite sports on a wide range of devices.

Supported Devices Include:

Living Room Devices:

LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, Amazon Fire devices, Chromecast, Cox Contour 2, and Contour Stream Player.

Gaming Consoles:

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

Mobile & Tablet:

Apple (iOS) and Android devices.

Other:

Stream directly via web browsers on ESPN.com and on Oculus Go.

Simultaneous Streams: Stream on up to 3 devices concurrently. For PPV events, this is limited to 2 devices.

Video Quality: Generally streams in 1080p HD at 60fps. Quality depends on the source and your internet. 4K and Dolby 5.1 are not currently supported.

FREE TRIAL

Special Offers

ESPN+ Free Trial & Special Offers

While ESPN+ does not typically offer a standalone free trial, there are often ways to experience its value or get a discount:

  • Disney Bundle Offers: Free trials or promotional pricing for the Disney Bundle are occasionally available through Disney+ or partners like Verizon.
  • UFC PPV + Annual Bundle: New subscribers can get a discounted bundle including a one-year ESPN+ membership and one UFC PPV event.
  • Verizon 5G Plans: Some Verizon 5G mobile phone plans include the Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) as a promotional offer.
Check for Latest ESPN+ Offers!

Pros & Cons of ESPN+

To help you decide if ESPN+ is the right fit for your streaming needs, here's a balanced look at its advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

  • Exclusive Live Sports: Unmatched access to UFC, out-of-market NHL games, international soccer, and college sports.
  • Rich On-Demand Library: Home to the complete 30 for 30 collection and engaging ESPN+ Originals.
  • Great Value with Disney Bundle: Combines three popular streaming services (ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu) for significant savings.
  • Affordable Standalone Option: Provides deep sports content at a low price, making it an excellent supplementary service.
  • Wide Device Support: Available on almost all major streaming devices, gaming consoles, and mobile platforms.

Cons

  • Does NOT Include Linear ESPN Channels: You will not get ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU with an ESPN+ subscription.
  • UFC PPV is Extra: Major UFC pay-per-view events require an additional purchase.
  • No 4K Support: Lacks 4K Ultra HD video and Dolby 5.1 surround sound.
  • Variable Video Quality: Some user feedback indicates occasional inconsistent video quality for lower-profile events.
  • Limited Concurrent PPV Streams: Only 2 simultaneous streams for PPV events, compared to 3 for other content.

ESPN+ Alternatives: How Does it Stack Up?

When considering ESPN+, it's helpful to see how it compares to other streaming services that offer a significant amount of live sports and entertainment.

1. ESPN+

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • Exclusive UFC Fight Nights, out-of-market NHL, 6,000+ NCAA games.
  • Top international soccer (La Liga, Bundesliga, FA Cup).
  • Complements: Does NOT include linear ESPN channels.

Plans & Pricing:

Our Take: Best for dedicated fans of specific sports not found on linear TV, especially when bundled with Disney+ and Hulu.

Get ESPN+

2. FuboTV

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • Broad Live Sports: 200+ channels including ESPN, NFL Network, FS1, many RSNs.
  • Strong for: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS.
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR, 10 simultaneous streams, 4K streaming (Elite plan).

Plans & Pricing:

Our Take: FuboTV is ideal for comprehensive live TV with a strong sports focus, including RSNs, but consider the additional RSN fee.

Try 7-Day Free Trial

3. YouTube TV

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • Extensive Channels: 100+ channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, major networks.
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR: Record all your favorite sports.
  • 4K Plus add-on available. NFL Sunday Ticket add-on.

Plans & Pricing:

Our Take: Excellent for broad channel selection and unlimited DVR, covering most major sports, with varying free trial lengths.

Try Free (2-21 days)

4. Hulu + Live TV

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • Bundle Value: 100+ channels, includes Hulu on-demand library, Disney+, and ESPN+.
  • Unlimited cloud DVR. Live sports (NHL, Soccer, MLB, Auto Racing, NFL, College Football, PGA, Tennis).

Plans & Pricing:

  • Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads): $82.99/mo. (Visit Website)
  • Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads): $95.99/mo. (Visit Website)
  • Live TV Only: $81.99/mo. (Visit Website)
  • Legacy Bundle ($87.99/mo.): No longer available for new purchase (Learn More)

Our Take: Combines live TV (including ESPN) with a vast on-demand library and ESPN+ exclusives, but be aware of legacy plan availability.

Try 3-Day Free Trial

5. DIRECTV STREAM

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • Premium Sports: Strongest offering for RSNs (Regional Sports Networks) from Choice plan upwards.
  • Dedicated league channels (MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network on higher tiers).
  • Unlimited cloud DVR, up to 20 simultaneous streams in-home.

Plans & Pricing:

  • Entertainment: $84.99/mo. (90+ channels, no RSNs) (Visit Website)
  • Choice: $89.99/mo. (First month $59.99, includes RSNs) (Visit Website)
  • Ultimate: $119.99/mo. (First month $89.99) (Visit Website)
  • Premier: $164.99/mo. (Includes all premium networks) (Visit Website)

Our Take: Ideal for extensive channels, especially if RSNs are crucial for local team coverage, with a robust simultaneous streaming capability.

Try 5-Day Free Trial

6. Sling TV

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • Budget-Friendly: Customizable packages.
  • Orange includes ESPN; Blue includes NFL Network.
  • 50 hours DVR.

Plans & Pricing:

Our Take: Most affordable option to get live ESPN or NFL Network, with customizable add-ons and a significant first-month discount.

Get 50% Off First Month

7. Peacock Premium

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • Niche Sports: Exclusive Premier League matches.
  • Big Ten sports, IndyCar, and simulcasts of Sunday Night Football.
  • Current seasons of NBC and Bravo programming.

Plans & Pricing:

  • Premium (with ads): $10.99/mo. or $109.99/yr. (Visit Website)
  • Premium Plus (ad-free, downloads): $16.99/mo. or $169.99/yr. (Visit Website)
  • New "Select" Tier: $7.99/mo. or $79.99/yr. (No sports content) (Learn More)
  • Price Change Effective: July 23, 2025 (New/Returning) / August 22, 2025 (Existing) (Details)

Our Take: Best for Premier League soccer and Big Ten fans on a budget, with tiered options and recent price adjustments.

Start Free Trial

8. Paramount+

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • CBS Sports Content: Exclusive access to NFL on CBS.
  • SEC football, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, NWSL.
  • Showtime originals (with Showtime plan).

Plans & Pricing:

  • Essential (with ads): $7.99/mo. or $59.99/yr. (Visit Website)
  • with Showtime (ad-free, downloads): $12.99/mo. or $119.99/yr. (Visit Website)
  • Student Discount: 50% off for 12 months (Get Discount)
  • Senior Discount (AARP): 10% off (Get Discount)
  • Price Change Effective: August 20 (New) / September 20 (Existing for With Showtime) (Details)

Our Take: Essential for fans of CBS Sports, especially European soccer and NWSL, with valuable student and senior discounts available.

Try 7-Day Free Trial

9. Amazon Prime Video

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • Exclusive NFL: Home of Thursday Night Football.
  • New for 2025: NBA games (66 regular season games, playoffs), NASCAR.
  • Features WNBA games, NWSL, Premier Boxing Champions, ONE Championship.

Plans & Pricing:

Our Take: Great for NFL fans who also use Prime for shopping and other content, with a rapidly expanding live sports portfolio.

Try 30-Day Free Trial

10. Apple TV+

Key Features & Sports Coverage:

  • Exclusive Soccer & Baseball: Home to MLS Season Pass (additional cost).
  • Friday Night Baseball.
  • Superior streaming quality (4K HDR, Dolby Atmos).

Plans & Pricing:

Our Take: Highly specific for dedicated MLS fans and a good add-on for baseball, best value when integrated into Apple One bundles.

Try 7-Day Free Trial

Key Difference Summary

While ESPN+ is your go-to for exclusive live events, originals, and the 30 for 30 library, it does not include the traditional ESPN linear channels. Services like Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV, and DIRECTV STREAM provide access to linear ESPN, with Hulu with Live TV offering the most seamless integration by including the Disney Bundle.

How ESPN+ Solves Common Streaming Frustrations

ESPN+ is designed to tackle common challenges faced by sports fans and cord-cutters:

Pain Point: "I miss exclusive live sports and deep content that isn't on regular TV."
Solution: "ESPN+ is your all-access pass to thousands of exclusive live events, including UFC Fight Nights, out-of-market NHL games, and top international soccer, plus the entire 30 for 30 library and ESPN+ Originals, ensuring you never miss the action that truly matters to you."

Pain Point: "I want a comprehensive streaming solution that includes both sports and general entertainment."
Solution: "The Disney Bundle, which includes ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu, offers unparalleled value, combining exclusive live sports with a vast library of movies, shows, and family entertainment, all in one convenient subscription."

Pain Point: "I'm confused about the difference between ESPN+ and the regular ESPN channels."
Solution: "We clearly differentiate: ESPN+ provides exclusive content, while linear ESPN channels (ESPN, ESPN2, etc.) require a separate live TV subscription. For both, consider Hulu with Live TV, which integrates the Disney Bundle for a seamless experience."

What Fans Are Saying About ESPN+

Don't just take our word for it! Here's what sports fans are saying about their ESPN+ experience:

"ESPN+ is essential for any UFC fan. The exclusive Fight Nights are worth the subscription alone!"

- Combat Sports Enthusiast

"Finally, a way to watch all the out-of-market NHL games! NHL Power Play on ESPN+ is a game-changer."

- Hockey Lover

"The 30 for 30 library is incredible. I've spent hours diving into sports history."

- Documentary Fan

"The Disney Bundle is such a great deal. I get all my sports, plus movies and shows for the family."

- Smart Streamer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about ESPN+

Does ESPN+ offer a free trial?

A: ESPN+ does not typically offer a standalone free trial. However, free trials or promotional pricing for the Disney Bundle (which includes ESPN+) are occasionally available through Disney+ or partner promotions.

Does ESPN+ include ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU?

A: No, ESPN+ is a separate streaming service and does not include the live streams of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, or ESPNU. These channels require a separate cable, satellite, or live TV streaming subscription.

How much does ESPN+ cost?

A: A standalone ESPN+ subscription is $11.99/month or $119.99/year. The Disney Bundle (ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu) starts at $16.99/month.

Can I watch UFC Pay-Per-View (PPV) events on ESPN+?

A: Yes, ESPN+ is the exclusive home for purchasing UFC PPV events, which are an additional cost (typically around $70) for existing subscribers. New subscribers can often get a discounted bundle including a year of ESPN+ and one PPV.

How many devices can I stream ESPN+ on simultaneously?

A: You can stream ESPN+ content on up to 3 devices concurrently. For UFC PPV events, the limit is 2 simultaneous streams.

Is 4K streaming available on ESPN+?

A: Currently, ESPN+ does not support 4K Ultra HD video or Dolby 5.1 surround sound. Content is generally streamed in 1080p HD at 60 frames per second.

What kind of on-demand content does ESPN+ offer?

A: ESPN+ features the entire 30 for 30 documentary library, exclusive original series and studio shows (e.g., Peyton's Places, The Ultimate Fighter), and premium articles.

Ready to Unlock Your Sports Obsession?

ESPN+ offers a unique and valuable streaming experience for any sports fanatic, providing exclusive live events and a rich library of on-demand content that complements your existing sports viewing. Whether you're a UFC devotee, an NHL enthusiast, a soccer aficionado, or a college sports loyalist, ESPN+ has something special for you.

Explore the plans, especially the incredible value of the Disney Bundle, and start streaming today to get closer to the sports you love!

Explore ESPN+ Plans & Start Streaming!

Looking for more live sports? Visit LiveCloak for comprehensive schedules and streaming links for all your favorite events!