ESPN Select is a direct-to-consumer streaming service that costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year

ESPN Select lets you watch live sports events and original shows on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. The service focuses on sports that ESPN's cable channel does not broadcast in full — mainly out-of-market games, replays, and original programming. You pay ESPN directly, not through a cable provider, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.

The monthly cost is $10.99, or you can pay $109.99 upfront for a full year and save about $21. Both options renew automatically unless you cancel. ESPN does not offer a free trial period, so you pay for your first month even if you watch for only a few days.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN Select costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year, with automatic renewal each billing cycle.
  • The service streams live games, replays, and original shows, but does not include ESPN's main cable channel or ESPN2.
  • You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs using the ESPN app or website.
  • Cancellation takes two minutes in your account settings and stops charges when ready for future months.
  • If you already pay for cable or another streaming bundle that includes ESPN+, you may not need ESPN Select.

What sports and shows ESPN Select actually includes

ESPN Select carries live games from college football, college basketball, Major League Baseball, and other sports that ESPN owns broadcast rights to. The exact games change week to week based on ESPN's schedule. You also get replays of recent games, highlights packages, and original shows about teams and players.

ESPN Select does not include ESPN's main cable channel (ESPN) or ESPN2. If you want to watch those channels live, you need cable or a cable-replacement service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. ESPN Select is separate from ESPN+, which is a different subscription that costs $11.99 per month and includes more sports like soccer, hockey, and basketball.

The easiest way to see what games are coming up is to visit ESPN.com, click on the ESPN Select tab, and look at the schedule. Games marked as "ESPN Select" are included in your subscription. Games marked "Cable" or "ESPN+" require a different service.

How to sign up and start watching

Go to ESPN.com or open the ESPN app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV. Click "Subscribe" or "Sign In" and choose ESPN Select. You will need an email address and a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. Enter your billing information and confirm the purchase. Your subscription starts when ready.

After you sign up, log into the ESPN app or website with the email and password you created. The app will show you which games are live right now and which are coming up. You can watch on as many devices as you want, but only one person can stream at a time on your account.

If you have a smart TV, you can read the ESPN app from your TV's app store (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Samsung, LG, or others). If your TV does not have an app store, you can use a streaming device like an Apple TV box or Roku stick and read the ESPN app there.

How to cancel ESPN Select

Log into your ESPN account on a computer or the ESPN app. Go to "Account Settings" or "Manage Subscription." Click "Cancel Subscription" and confirm. Cancellation takes effect when ready, and you will not be charged again. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until your current billing cycle ends.

ESPN does not require you to call customer service or explain why you are leaving. You can also pause your subscription for up to three months if you want to stop paying temporarily but keep your account active.

ESPN Select versus ESPN+ and cable bundles

ESPN Select and ESPN+ are two separate services. ESPN Select focuses on out-of-market games and replays. ESPN+ includes live games from soccer, hockey, basketball, and other sports, plus original shows. ESPN+ costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. Some people subscribe to both, but you do not have to.

If you already have cable or a cable-replacement service (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or others), check your package details. Many of these services include ESPN+ at no extra cost, or they give you access to ESPN's cable channels live. In those cases, you may not need ESPN Select.

The Disney Bundle combines Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for $14.99 per month. If you want Disney+ or Hulu anyway, the bundle is cheaper than buying ESPN+ alone. ESPN Select is not part of the Disney Bundle.

Common reasons people cancel ESPN Select

Many people cancel because the games they want to watch are not on ESPN Select — they are on cable channels or ESPN+ instead. Before you sign up, check the schedule for the specific teams or sports you follow. If most games are marked "Cable" or "ESPN+," ESPN Select alone will not give you what you want.

Others cancel because they do not watch enough to justify the cost. If you watch fewer than two or three games per month, the subscription may not be worth it. You can also pause instead of canceling if you think you will watch again later in the season.

Some people find that their cable package or another streaming service already includes the games they want. In that case, ESPN Select becomes redundant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch ESPN Select on my TV?

Yes. read the ESPN app on your smart TV from the TV's app store, or use a streaming device like Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Chromecast. Log in with your ESPN Select account and start watching. You can also cast from your phone to a Chromecast-compatible TV.

What happens if I cancel mid-month?

You keep access to ESPN Select until the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel on the 15th of a month and your billing date is the 1st, you can watch until the end of that month. You will not be charged for the next month.

Can multiple people watch at the same time on one account?

No. Only one person can stream at a time. If you want multiple simultaneous streams, you need separate accounts and separate subscriptions.

Is there a free trial?

ESPN Select does not offer a free trial. You pay for your first month when you sign up, even if you cancel within a few days.

Do I need ESPN Select if I have cable?

Not necessarily. Check your cable package to see if it includes ESPN's channels and the specific games you want to watch. If your cable package covers the games you follow, you do not need ESPN Select. If you want out-of-market games or replays that cable does not show, ESPN Select may be worth it.