What ESPN+ is and how to sign up

ESPN+ is a streaming service owned by Disney that shows live sports, original shows, and on-demand replays. You watch it through an app on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV — not through cable. To sign up, you go to espnplus.com or open the ESPN app, choose a plan, enter your email and payment method, and start watching right away.

ESPN+ is separate from the regular ESPN channel you might get through cable. You don't need cable to use it, and having cable doesn't give you ESPN+ for free (unless your cable provider specifically includes it). The service costs money each month, though Disney sometimes offers discounts or bundles it with other services like Hulu and Disney+.

When you sign up, you'll choose between a monthly plan or an annual plan. The annual plan costs less per month if you pay all at once. You can cancel anytime — there's no contract or early termination fee.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN+ streams live games, original shows, and replays through an app on any device, and you don't need cable to watch.
  • You pay a monthly or annual subscription fee, and you can cancel without penalty at any time.
  • Not all ESPN games are on ESPN+ — some air only on cable ESPN, ABC, or other networks, so check the schedule before you sign up.
  • ESPN+ includes access to ESPN's fantasy sports tools and some live events that cable ESPN doesn't show.
  • You can bundle ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ at a lower total price than buying each separately.

What sports and events you can watch

ESPN+ shows live games from major leagues including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college football, college basketball, and international soccer. It also carries UFC fights, boxing, golf, tennis, and cricket. The exact games available change week to week — not every game from every league is on ESPN+, and some games air only on cable ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, or other networks.

Before you sign up, check the ESPN+ schedule for the specific sport or team you want to watch. ESPN publishes the schedule on their website and in the app. If your favorite team's games air only on cable ESPN or local broadcast channels, ESPN+ alone won't be enough.

ESPN+ also produces original shows, documentaries, and analysis programs that don't air on cable. These include behind-the-scenes content, player interviews, and deep dives into sports history. You can watch these on demand anytime after they premiere.

How much ESPN+ costs

ESPN+ pricing changes occasionally, so check espnplus.com for the current rates. Generally, a monthly plan costs less than a yearly plan divided by 12 months, so paying annually saves money if you plan to keep the service.

Disney also offers a bundle that includes ESPN+, Hulu (with ads), and Disney+ at a single monthly price. This bundle costs less than buying all three separately. If you want Hulu without ads, that option costs more. You can also add ESPN+ to an existing Hulu or Disney+ account.

Some cable providers and wireless carriers offer ESPN+ as part of their packages or promotions. Check with your provider to see if it's included in your plan.

Setting up your account and devices

After you sign up on espnplus.com, you'll receive a confirmation email. read the ESPN app on any device you want to use — iPhone, Android phone, iPad, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, PlayStation, Xbox, or through a web browser on your computer. Sign in with the email and password you created during sign-up.

You can watch on multiple devices at the same time, depending on your plan. Most plans allow simultaneous streams on a limited number of devices (typically two or three). If you try to watch on more devices than your plan allows, you'll get a message asking you to stop watching on another device first.

If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the sign-in screen. ESPN will send you a reset link by email. Make sure you check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox.

Pausing, canceling, or changing your plan

You can pause your ESPN+ subscription for up to three months without losing your account. This is useful if you know you won't watch for a while but plan to come back. To pause, go to your account settings in the app or on the website and select the pause option.

To cancel, go to your account settings, find the subscription section, and choose "Cancel Subscription." ESPN will ask you to confirm. Your access ends at the end of your current billing period — if you paid for a month, you can watch until the end of that month. If you paid for a year, you have access until the year is up.

You can change your plan anytime. If you upgrade from monthly to annual, you'll pay the difference. If you downgrade, the change takes effect at your next billing date.

Troubleshooting common issues

If a live game won't load, try closing the app completely and reopening it. Check that your internet connection is strong — streaming requires a stable connection. If you're on Wi-Fi, move closer to your router or restart it. If you're on mobile data, check that you have a strong signal.

If you see a message that says you can't watch because of your location, ESPN+ has blackout rules for certain games. Local games are sometimes blacked out in your area to protect local broadcast rights. You can still watch replays after the game ends, usually within a few hours.

If you're signed in on too many devices, you'll get an error message. Sign out of the app on one device, wait a few seconds, then try again on the device you want to watch on. If you can't remember which devices you're signed into, go to your account settings and sign out of all devices, then sign back in on just the one you're using.

ESPN+ versus cable ESPN and other streaming options

Cable ESPN and ESPN+ are different services. Cable ESPN is a channel you get through a cable or satellite TV subscription. ESPN+ is a streaming service you pay for separately. Some games air on cable ESPN, some on ESPN+, and some on both. To watch all the games you want, you might need both cable and ESPN+, or you might need ESPN+ plus another streaming service.

Other sports streaming services exist for specific leagues or sports. The NFL has NFL+, the NBA has NBA League Pass, and MLB has MLB.TV. These services show games that ESPN+ doesn't. If you follow multiple sports, you may end up with more than one streaming service.

ESPN+ includes access to ESPN's fantasy sports tools, which help you manage fantasy football, fantasy baseball, and other fantasy leagues. Some of these tools are free to all ESPN users, but ESPN+ subscribers get additional features and analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need cable to watch ESPN+?

No. ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service that works without cable. You only need an internet connection and a device to read the app. However, some games air only on cable ESPN or broadcast channels, so ESPN+ alone may not show every game you want to watch.

Can I watch ESPN+ on my TV?

Yes. read the ESPN app on your smart TV, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, PlayStation, or Xbox. You can also connect a computer or phone to your TV using an HDMI cable or wireless casting if your TV supports it.

What happens if I cancel ESPN+ and want to come back later?

You can sign up again anytime using the same email address. Your old account information will still be there. If you had a saved payment method, you may be able to use it again, though you'll need to confirm it.

Are there blackout restrictions on ESPN+?

Yes. Some games are blacked out in certain areas to protect local broadcast rights. If a game is blacked out for you, you usually can't watch it live, but you can watch a replay after the game ends. ESPN's website shows which games are blacked out in your location.

Can I share my ESPN+ account with family members?

You can watch on multiple devices at the same time, up to the limit your plan allows. However, ESPN's terms of service say the account is for personal use only. Sharing login details with people outside your household may violate the terms, and ESPN can disable accounts that show unusual activity across different locations.