Are you tired of missing out on your favorite games because cable is too expensive? ESPN+ might be the answer! Renowned for its affordability and extensive sports coverage, ESPN+ is a premier destination for streaming sports content. As an extension of the longstanding sports broadcasting giant ESPN, ESPN+ is a complementary service to its main networks, offering an accessible option for cord-cutters to access live sports.
However, viewers can watch sports on ESPN Plus and enjoy diverse live sports, including MLB, PGA Tour, college basketball, NHL, and more, alongside a wealth of documentaries and factual entertainment shows centered around sports. Read our guide to discover everything you need to know about watching Sports on ESPN Plus.
What is ESPN Plus?
ESPN Plus is a sports streaming service offering on-demand content and live events. While it includes some programming from traditional ESPN networks, ESPN Plus functions as its channel. You’ll need a separate TV subscription with traditional ESPN networks to access all ESPN content.
The service, available only in the US, complements ESPN’s regular channels by providing a variety of live sports programming, ranging from PGA matches to UFC events. It also offers a library of on-demand content, sports news, scores, commentary, and more.
Difference Between ESPN Plus vs ESPN
ESPN and ESPN Plus offer different ways to enjoy sports content. ESPN Plus operates as an independent streaming platform complementary to the primary ESPN channel. It features exclusive content like live NHL games, UFC events, specific soccer matches, and a library of ESPN originals like the acclaimed 30 for 30 series.
On the other hand, ESPN is a TV channel known for its sports coverage, highlights, and talk shows. It broadcasts significant league games and popular shows like SportsCenter and Pardon the Interruption. To access ESPN, you typically need a cable or streaming subscription, with the cheapest option being Sling TV Orange, which costs $35 a month.
Both ESPN and ESPN Plus content can be accessed through the main ESPN app on various platforms, making it convenient for sports fans to enjoy their favorite content.
How much does ESPN Plus cost
ESPN Plus offers two subscription options:
- Monthly Subscription: $10.99 per month.
- Annual Plan: $109.99 per year, saving you 15% compared to the monthly price.
Owned by the ESPN division of the Walt Disney Company, ESPN Plus is one of Disney’s top three subscription streaming brands in the US, alongside Disney+ and Hulu.
You can also opt for a bundle deal, which includes ESPN Plus, Disney Plus, and Hulu for $14.99 a month. Individually, these services would cost $26.97 per month.
Moreover, ESPN Plus offers access to Top Rank Boxing and UFC pay-per-view (PPV) events. Boxing PPVs are typically $49.99 each, while main card UFC fights are usually $74.99 per event with your ESPN Plus membership. Below is a breakdown of the various packages:
| Package | Price | Frequency |
| ESPN Plus | $9.99 | Monthly |
| ESPN Plus | $99.99 | Annual |
| Trio Basic Bundle (ESPN Plus, Disney Plus, Hulu) (ads) | $15 | Monthly |
| Trio Premium Bundle (ESPN Plus, Disney Plus, Hulu) (ad-free) | $25 | Monthly |
| ESPN Plus, Hulu + Live TV, Disney Plus (ads) | $77 | Annual |
| ESPN Plus, Hulu + Live TV (ad-free), Disney Plus (ad-free) | $90 | Annual |
How do I sign up for ESPN Plus
To watch sports on ESPN Plus, signing up process is straightforward. Follow these steps to avoid any confusion:
- Go to the ESPN Plus homepage.
- Click on “Sign Up Now.”
- Select “Sign-Up” to create your account.
- Enter your payment information when prompted.
- Double-check all your information for accuracy.
- Click on “Buy ESPN Plus” to complete the transaction.
You’ll receive a confirmation page indicating the successful transaction, and you can start watching right away.
Where is ESPN Plus available?
Currently, ESPN+ is exclusively accessible within the United States. This limitation arises from ESPN+’s possession of broadcasting rights for specific sports and shows that are tailored to US audiences. Due to the absence of broadcasting rights in other countries, ESPN+ is not available outside the United States.
Upcoming Sports on ESPN Plus in 2024
ESPN+ offers an abundance of sports content, boasting over 30,000 live events streamed annually. Here’s a preview of what’s in store for 2024 on ESPN+:
- Bundesliga
- EFL Championship
- Formula One
- Major League Baseball (MLB)
- National Lacrosse League (NLL)
- NBA G League
- Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)
- Professional Fighters League (PFL)
- Top Rank Boxing
- U.S. Open Tennis Championships
- Wimbledon Open
ESPN Plus Sports Schedule May 2024
Saturday, May 11th
- College Baseball: Throughout the day, there are many college baseball games on ESPN.
- Golf: 7:15a – Wells Fargo Championship: Main Feed (Third Round), 8:00a – Wells Fargo Championship: Featured Groups (Third Round), and more.
- Lacrosse: – Saint Joseph’s vs. #6 Virginia, 2:30p – Utah vs. #2 Duke, and more.
- Soccer: Throughout the day, there are many soccer games from various leagues on ESPN.
- Softball: Throughout the day, there are many softball games from various conferences on ESPN.
- Track & Field: Throughout the day, there are various Track & Field events on ESPN.
- UFC: – UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento (Prelims)
Sunday, May 12th
- College Baseball: Throughout the day, there are many college baseball games on ESPN.
- Golf: 7:15a – Wells Fargo Championship: Main Feed (Final Round), Wells Fargo Championship: Featured Groups (Final Round), and more.
- Lacrosse: Throughout the day, there are NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship games on ESPN.
- Soccer: Throughout the day, there are many soccer games from various leagues on ESPN.
- Track & Field: Throughout the day, there are various Track & Field events on ESPN.
- UFL Football: – Michigan Panthers vs. D.C. Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas vs. Houston Roughnecks
I hope this helps!
What content does ESPN Plus offer?
ESPN Plus boasts a diverse range of content, including exclusive live sports, original shows, and an extensive library of on-demand content, such as the entire 30 For 30 series.
- Stream Live sports
ESPN+ provides live coverage of MLB, NHL, and MLS games during each league’s regular season, with at least one game from each league streamed daily. However, local blackout restrictions may apply. While most content on ESPN+ is ad-free, live game streams feature advertisements akin to traditional TV broadcasts.
- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) PPV and UFC Fight Night events
Subscribers gain access to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Pay-Per-View (PPV) events and UFC Fight Night bouts. Original programming like Dana White’s Contender Series is also available. Although UFC Fight Night events are included in the ESPN Plus subscription, certain UFC cards, such as UFC 300, are offered on a pay-per-view basis for $79.99 each.
- ESPN Plus Originals
ESPN+ features a collection of award-winning original films and series, offering behind-the-scenes insights and in-depth analysis of sports personalities and significant moments. Documentaries and series, along with studio shows, provide comprehensive coverage, analysis, and highlights across various sports, betting, and fantasy football.
- Go Beyond the Dream with Shohei Ohtani
- The Captain
- The Man in the Arena
- 30 for 30 Library
The platform hosts renowned documentaries like “Bad Boys,” “The Best That Never Was,” and “Without Bias,” alongside shows like “E:60,” which delves into investigative journalism akin to “60 Minutes.”
- Bad Boys
- The best that never was
- Without Bias
- E60
“E:60” is sort of ESPN’s version of “60 Minutes,” an investigative program that does single-episode deep dives into hot-button stories or specific athletes
- Blood brother
- Only the Strong Survive
- The Perfect Machine
- Daily sports talk shows
Subscribers can enjoy daily studio shows providing commentary, discussion, and analysis of the day’s major sports events. Popular programs such as “Pardon the Interruption” offer multi-sport analysis, while shows like “In The Crease” focus specifically on hockey, especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
- ESPN Plus Premium articles
For sports enthusiasts who prefer reading, ESPN Plus offers access to over 3,000 premium articles annually. These articles cover the latest news, significant stories, and in-depth analysis, available via the ESPN app with a streaming subscription.
What Sports can you watch on ESPN Plus?
ESPN Plus offers a diverse range of sports content for enthusiasts across various disciplines:
- Baseball
Baseball coverage on ESPN+ includes select out-of-market MLB games and classic MLB Archives, alongside the Little League World Series.
- Hockey
ESPN Plus is the go-to platform for NHL out-of-market streaming, providing 1,000 games from every team throughout the season, along with NCAA hockey coverage.
- Soccer
While not comprehensive, ESPN Plus features international soccer leagues like La Liga and Bundesliga, along with English football events such as the FA Cup and EFL Championship.
While NFL games are not available for live streaming on ESPN+, NCAA football receives extensive coverage, including hundreds of live games.
- Basketball
Live NBA games are not offered, but ESPN Plus features 200 live college conference games.
- Boxing
ESPN+ offers exclusive coverage of all UFC pay-per-view events, with some matches included in the subscription and others available for Pay-per-view.
- Golf
ESPN+ also offers PGA Tour coverage with Featured Group and Featured Hole coverage, including a lead-in program for weekend tournaments. Golf coverage also includes all the Masters and PGA Southern Hills tournaments.
- Cricket
ESPN+ has hundreds of matches featuring top cricket teams like New Zealand Cricket, Ireland, and Cricket West Indies.
- Tennis
ESPN+ offers coverage of the Grand Slams Wimbledon, Australian Open, and US Open except for the French Open. It also includes coverage of World Table Tennis.
- Other Live Sports
ESPN+ offers a variety of live sports beyond the major leagues, including swimming, diving, track and field, lacrosse, and rugby. Notable events like Super Rugby, the Lion Series, and the Rugby Championship are also available.
Additionally, below are some other sports on ESPN Plus:
- Auto Racing, featuring the GP3 Series
- Several Formula One races
- Rugby, including SANZAAR, HSBC World Rugby Seven Series, and Guinness PRO 14
- Canadian Football League (CFL) games
- League of Legends (eSports) tournaments
- Over 30 Top Rank Boxing cards
- Exclusive ESPN+ shows such as “Detail” with Peyton Manning, “LeBron’s More Than An Athlete,” “Ariel and the Bad Guy,” and “ESPN FC”
- Comprehensive fantasy football tools and coverage
What devices can I watch ESPN Plus on?
ESPN Plus, similar to numerous other streaming platforms, can be accessed on a range of devices, offering high-definition viewing and accommodating up to three simultaneous streams.
To access ESPN Plus, you won’t find a separate app; instead, it’s integrated into the ESPN app and ESPN.com. Simply locate the gold “E+” tab within the app or website.
Is ESPN Plus worth it?
ESPN Plus provides a cost-effective option for accessing live sports content, particularly for UFC, MLB, and NHL fans. However, the need for more live game streaming may disappoint football and NBA enthusiasts.
At $10.99 per month (or $109.99 per year), ESPN Plus may offer a breadth of content different from pricier streaming services like Fubo or Hulu + Live TV. However, some content gaps are inevitable to maintain affordability. Although there’s no free trial, the low subscription cost makes trying the service more manageable.
If you’re already subscribed to Disney Plus and Hulu and enjoy sports, adding ESPN Plus to a bundle package makes the most sense. However, if you’re explicitly seeking NFL or NBA coverage, ESPN Plus may not meet your needs. Otherwise, for fans of UFC, MLB, college sports, and comprehensive sports coverage, ESPN Plus could be a valuable addition to your streaming lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports are on ESPN Plus?
ESPN Plus offers a diverse range of sports content, including but not limited to:
- Baseball (MLB)
- Hockey (NHL)
- Soccer (Various leagues including La Liga and Bundesliga)
- Football (NCAA)
- Basketball (College games)
- Boxing (UFC pay-per-view events)
- Golf (PGA Tour)
- Cricket
- Tennis (Grand Slam tournaments excluding French Open)
- Rugby
And more, including niche sports like swimming, diving, track and field, lacrosse, and auto racing.
Can you watch live sports on ESPN Plus?
Yes, ESPN Plus provides live coverage of various sporting events, including MLB, NHL, college basketball, UFC fights, and more. However, certain events may be subject to blackout restrictions.
Does ESPN Plus have live sports?
Absolutely! ESPN Plus offers a wide range of live sports programming, including games, matches, and events from different leagues and tournaments.
What sports can you watch on ESPN Plus?
ESPN Plus covers a multitude of sports, including baseball, hockey, soccer, football, basketball, boxing, golf, cricket, tennis, rugby, and more.
What can I watch on ESPN?
ESPN offers a comprehensive lineup of sports coverage, including live games, highlights, talk shows, and original programming. It covers major league games and popular shows like SportsCenter and Pardon the Interruption.
In what countries is ESPN+ available?
Currently, ESPN+ is exclusively available within the United States due to broadcasting rights limitations tailored to US audiences.
What does ESPN Plus include?
ESPN Plus includes exclusive live sports events, original shows, documentaries, on-demand content, sports news, commentary, and more. It serves as a complement to traditional ESPN networks, offering additional content for sports enthusiasts.
What is ESPN 30 for 30?
ESPN’s 30 for 30 is a renowned sports documentary series, featuring 30 stories per season across various sports, featuring inspirational and unique people and events in sports history.
What Channels Does ESPN+ Include?
If you have a login from your cable, satellite, or live TV streaming provider, you can access the following channels along with your ESPN+ content: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPN PPV, ACC Network, SEC Network, Big 12 Now, and Longhorn Network.
