ESPN+ subscription prices and what's included

ESPN+ costs $10.99 per month if you pay month-to-month, or $109.99 per year if you pay annually. The annual plan saves you about $21 compared to paying monthly. Both plans give you the same access: live sports events, original shows, and on-demand content from ESPN's library.

ESPN also offers a bundle that combines ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu for $14.99 per month (with ads on Hulu and Disney+) or $24.99 per month (ad-free on all three services). If you already subscribe to Disney+ or Hulu separately, the bundle may cost less than your current bills combined, though you should add up your existing subscriptions to compare.

Prices can change, and ESPN occasionally runs promotional offers for new subscribers — sometimes a discounted first month or a free trial period. Check ESPN's website directly before you sign up to see what current offers are running.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN+ costs $10.99 per month on a month-to-month plan or $109.99 per year if you commit to annual billing.
  • The annual plan saves approximately $21 per year compared to paying monthly.
  • A bundle combining ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu starts at $14.99 per month with ads or $24.99 per month without ads.
  • ESPN regularly offers promotional pricing for new subscribers, so check their website for current deals before signing up.
  • All ESPN+ plans include the same content — live events, original programming, and on-demand shows.

What sports and content ESPN+ actually streams

ESPN+ carries live games from major leagues, but not all games from every league. For example, ESPN+ streams some NFL games, NBA games, and college sports, but it does not carry the full schedule of any single league. You will see marquee matchups, playoff games, and regular-season contests, but your local team's broadcast may air on cable ESPN instead.

The service also includes original shows, documentaries, and analysis programs produced by ESPN. These range from deep-dive sports documentaries to daily debate and commentary shows. On-demand replays of recent games are available for a limited time after they air live.

Sports covered vary by season and by what ESPN's broadcast rights allow. The best way to know whether ESPN+ carries the specific games you want is to visit ESPN.com, search for your team's schedule, and check which games are marked as ESPN+ exclusive.

How to cancel or pause your subscription

You can cancel ESPN+ at any time through your account settings on ESPN.com or through the ESPN app. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle — if you pay monthly on the 15th, cancellation on the 10th means you keep access through the 15th, then lose it after.

ESPN does not offer a formal pause option, so if you want to stop paying temporarily, you must cancel and then resubscribe later. When you resubscribe, you start a new billing cycle at the current price.

If you subscribed through a third-party platform like Apple, Google Play, or Amazon, you must cancel through that platform's app or website, not through ESPN directly. Check your original receipt or subscription confirmation to see which platform processed your payment.

ESPN+ on multiple devices and simultaneous streaming

ESPN+ allows you to stream on multiple devices, but only one stream can play at a time per account. If two people try to watch different games simultaneously on the same subscription, the second stream will be blocked. This is different from some competitors — Netflix, for example, allows multiple simultaneous streams depending on your plan.

You can read some ESPN+ content to watch offline on the ESPN app, though not all programs are available for read. Downloaded content expires after a set period, so you cannot build a permanent library.

ESPN+ works on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Chromecast. You log in with the same email and password across all devices.

Comparing ESPN+ to other sports streaming options

Other sports streaming services charge different amounts and carry different content. Paramount+ includes some NFL and college sports for $5.99 per month (with ads) or $11.99 per month (ad-free). Apple TV+ does not focus on live sports but carries some Major League Soccer games. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV are cable-replacement services that cost $55 to $80 per month and include ESPN's cable channels plus hundreds of other channels.

If you want to watch a specific league or team, check that league's official streaming options first. The NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL all have their own streaming services or exclusive broadcast partners. Many teams also stream some games through their own apps or websites.

The cheapest way to watch sports is usually to combine ESPN+ with one or two other targeted services rather than paying for a full cable replacement. For example, ESPN+ plus an NFL-specific service might cost less and give you more of what you actually watch than a $70-per-month cable package.

How ESPN+ handles regional blackouts and local games

ESPN+ does not carry all games from every team, and some games are blacked out in certain regions. Blackouts happen when a local broadcaster has exclusive rights to show that game in your area. For example, if your local cable channel has the rights to broadcast your team's game, ESPN+ will not stream it in your region, even if the game is available to subscribers in other parts of the country.

You cannot use a VPN or location-spoofing tool to bypass blackouts — ESPN's system detects these and will block the stream. If a game is blacked out in your area, your only option is usually to watch it on the local or national cable broadcast, or to wait for an on-demand replay after the blackout period ends.

Blackout rules vary by sport and by the specific broadcast agreements ESPN has signed. Before you subscribe, check ESPN's schedule for your team to see how many games are actually available on ESPN+ in your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ESPN+ include live cable ESPN channels?

No. ESPN+ is a separate streaming service that does not include the live ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU cable channels. If you want those channels, you need cable TV or a cable-replacement service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. ESPN+ has its own exclusive content and some games that do not air on cable.

Can I share my ESPN+ password with family members in another house?

ESPN's terms of service state that your account is for personal use only, and sharing passwords outside your household violates the terms. ESPN does not currently enforce this as strictly as some other services, but they reserve the right to do so. If you want multiple people to watch simultaneously, each person needs their own subscription.

What happens if I don't use ESPN+ for a few months?

Nothing happens automatically. Your subscription continues to charge you every month unless you cancel it. ESPN does not pause inactive accounts or offer refunds for months you did not use the service. If you know you will not watch for a while, cancel and resubscribe when you are ready.

Is there a student discount for ESPN+?

ESPN does not currently offer a dedicated student discount for ESPN+ itself. However, students may be able to access ESPN+ through a college or university subscription if their school has a campus license. Check with your school's IT or student services department to see if ESPN+ is included in your student benefits.

Can I watch ESPN+ outside the United States?

ESPN+ is only available in the United States. If you travel outside the country, you will not be able to stream ESPN+ even if you have an active subscription. Some content may be available through ESPN's international services or local broadcasters in other countries, but those are separate from ESPN+.