What ESPN+ is and what it costs

ESPN+ is a streaming service owned by Disney that shows live sports, original shows, and on-demand content. You subscribe directly to ESPN+ rather than through a cable or satellite provider. The monthly cost varies depending on whether you pay month-to-month or commit to an annual plan, and Disney periodically adjusts these prices.

ESPN+ is separate from the ESPN cable channel and from ESPN.com's free content. When you subscribe to ESPN+, you get access only to what ESPN+ offers — you do not automatically get ESPN cable or ESPN2. The service works on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN+ costs less per month than most cable sports packages, but shows a different set of games and events than ESPN's cable channels.
  • You can watch on multiple devices at once depending on your plan tier, and you can pause or cancel your subscription without penalty.
  • ESPN+ includes original documentaries and shows beyond live sports, plus replays and highlights of past events.
  • Some major sporting events — like playoff games or championship matches — may air on ESPN cable channels or other services instead of ESPN+.

What sports and events ESPN+ shows

ESPN+ carries live games and events across multiple sports, but not all games in every sport. For example, ESPN+ shows some NFL games, but not all Sunday or Monday night games — those typically air on ESPN cable channels or other networks. The same applies to NBA, NHL, and college sports: ESPN+ has a subset of games, not the complete schedule.

The service also shows soccer (including MLS and international leagues), tennis, golf, boxing, MMA, cricket, and rugby. ESPN+ produces original documentaries and interview series that are not available elsewhere. You can watch replays and highlights of past events on demand, even if you missed the live broadcast.

Which specific games air on ESPN+ changes week to week and season to season. Before you subscribe, check ESPN's schedule for the sports you follow most to see whether ESPN+ carries the events you want to watch.

How ESPN+ compares to cable sports packages

A cable sports package typically costs more per month than ESPN+ but includes live access to ESPN, ESPN2, and other cable channels. With cable, you get all scheduled games on those channels without checking a weekly lineup. ESPN+ costs less but requires you to know which games are on ESPN+ versus which are on cable channels or other services.

Some people use ESPN+ alongside cable or another streaming service to cover the sports they care about. Others use ESPN+ alone if the sports and events it carries match what they want to watch. The trade-off is price versus convenience: ESPN+ is cheaper, but you may need to cross-reference schedules or use multiple services to see all the games you want.

Simultaneous viewing and device limits

ESPN+ allows you to stream on multiple devices at the same time, but the number of simultaneous streams depends on your subscription tier. Standard plans typically allow two or three streams at once; higher-tier plans may allow more. If you exceed the simultaneous stream limit, you will see an error message and will need to stop playback on another device.

You can read some content to watch offline on the ESPN+ app, though not all shows and games are available for read. Downloaded content expires after a set period, so you cannot keep it permanently on your device.

Bundling ESPN+ with other Disney services

Disney offers bundle packages that combine ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu. These bundles cost less than subscribing to each service separately. A bundle might include ad-supported versions of Disney+ and Hulu paired with ESPN+, or ad-free versions at a higher price. The exact bundle options and prices change periodically.

If you already subscribe to Disney+ or Hulu, a bundle may save you money. If you only want ESPN+, you can subscribe to it standalone without being forced into a bundle. Compare the bundle price to the cost of ESPN+ alone to see whether bundling makes sense for your situation.

How to start and stop your subscription

You create an ESPN+ account on the ESPN website or through the ESPN app. You provide payment information (credit card, debit card, or PayPal) and choose your plan. Your subscription begins when ready, and you can start watching right away.

You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. There is no contract, no cancellation fee, and no waiting period. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until the end of your current billing cycle. If you want to restart later, you can reactivate your account and your watchlist and preferences will still be there.

Technical requirements and streaming quality

ESPN+ works on most modern devices: smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android), computers (Windows and Mac), and streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, and others). You need an internet connection with sufficient speed to stream video — ESPN+ recommends at least 8 Mbps for HD quality and 25 Mbps for 4K, though lower speeds may work for standard definition.

Streaming quality depends on your internet speed and the device you are using. ESPN+ adjusts video quality automatically based on your connection. If you experience buffering or freezing, try restarting your device, closing other apps, or moving closer to your router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch ESPN cable channels through ESPN+?

No. ESPN+ is a separate service from ESPN cable channels. ESPN+ shows its own set of live games and original content, but does not include access to ESPN, ESPN2, or other cable channels. To watch cable channels, you need a cable subscription or a live TV streaming service.

Do I need a cable subscription to use ESPN+?

No. ESPN+ is standalone and does not require cable. You only need an internet connection and an ESPN+ subscription. However, some ESPN+ features — like logging in with your cable provider account to watch certain content — require cable, but the core ESPN+ service works without it.

Can I share my ESPN+ account with family members?

Yes, within limits. You can stream on multiple devices at once up to your plan's simultaneous stream limit, so family members in different rooms can watch at the same time. However, sharing your login credentials with people outside your household may violate ESPN's terms of service, and Disney has been tightening restrictions on account sharing.

What happens if I cancel and then resubscribe later?

Your account information, watchlist, and preferences are saved even after you cancel. When you resubscribe, you can log back in and pick up where you left off. You will not lose your saved shows or viewing history.

Is there a free trial for ESPN+?

Disney occasionally offers free trial periods for ESPN+, but these promotions change and are not always available. Check the ESPN+ website or app to see whether a trial is currently offered. Trial periods typically last seven days, and you must cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged.