If you're a sports enthusiast, you're likely already familiar with ESPN, the renowned sports network. Yet, ESPN's streaming service, ESPN+, still leaves many fans scratching their heads, even though it's been available since 2018. While ESPN+ does offer live sports, it serves more as a supplementary platform, enhancing your sports viewing experience when paired with traditional network channels.

Dive into our comprehensive guide to ESPN+ below, where we cover everything from the service's overview, the range of live sports you can stream, pricing details, and much 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. [ttpp]See it at ESPN+[/ttpp] ESPN+ is a subscription-based streaming service that provides access to live sporting events, exclusive ESPN films and series not typically found on standard ESPN networks, premium articles, and more.

However, despite its name, ESPN+ does not include access to the main ESPN network channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, and others. If you're eager to watch SportsCenter, for example, you'll still need a traditional cable or live TV subscription.

ESPN+ boasts a growing catalog of original ESPN TV shows, including "Man in the Arena" with Tom Brady, "Peyton's Places," "ESPN FC," and more. It's also the exclusive home for NFL Primetime since 2019, offering highlights and analysis of NFL games every Sunday night during the season. Plus, subscribers can enjoy the entire archive of ESPN's acclaimed 30 for 30 sports documentary series.

For those who love in-depth sports analysis, ESPN+ grants access to ESPN+ Premium Articles on the ESPN website, featuring detailed analysis, rankings, mock drafts, and more from renowned sports writers.

ESPN+ Plans and Prices (As of March 2025)

Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ Bundle

Includes all 3 services [ttpp]$16.99 at Disney+[/ttpp] ESPN+ can be purchased 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. Alternatively, you can bundle ESPN+ (With Ads) with Disney+ (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads) for $16.99 per month.

Does ESPN+ Have a Free Trial?

Unfortunately, ESPN+ does not currently offer a free trial of its service. There are no promotions available at the moment, but the ESPN website mentions that some third parties may offer promotions. While ESPN+ itself doesn't provide a trial, you can explore free trials from other streaming services that include sports content.

What Channels Does ESPN+ Include?

ESPN+ doesn't feature traditional channels but rather streams a wide array of live sporting events, an extensive 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! With an ESPN+ subscription, you can watch thousands of live sporting events. This includes select games from the NFL, MLB, and NHL, various soccer leagues worldwide, F1, golf, boxing, a range of collegiate sports, and more. The availability of these games can vary by region and may be subject to blackouts.

ESPN+ is also the exclusive streaming platform for UFC events, including Pay-Per-View (PPV) fights, Fight Nights, and more. While UFC PPV events require 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.

Keep in mind that ESPN+ doesn't replace existing season pass-like services such as NFL Sunday Ticket or MLB.TV, as the majority of live games throughout the season won't be available on ESPN+. However, for fans of UFC, NHL, soccer, and college sports, ESPN+ offers a significant amount of content.

How to Watch ESPN+ - Available Platforms

Like many streaming services, ESPN+ is available on a variety of devices, supporting HD streaming and up to three simultaneous streams. If you subscribe to the Disney Bundle Trio (including Hulu and ESPN+), you can enjoy all your content through the Disney+ app (in the US).

ESPN+ is also accessible via the ESPN app on mobile devices, streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Google Chromecast, select smart TVs, and gaming consoles such as PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.