How to stream ESPN without cable in 2026
Best Provider
There are a handful of ways to watch ESPN without cable. Some of the more popular options include: DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. If you're a sports/soccer fan, we recommend Fubo first -- they specialize in all the major sports, including must-have channels like ESPN. You can currently only catch ESPN for free during a trial period with DIRECTV or Fubo. ESPN's mobile app is about as good as it gets. It has ALL the content found on the regular channels, wrapped in a compact and easy-to-use layout. Let's dig into the details...
Watch on:
(5-day trial)
4/16: Seattle Kraken @ Colorado Avalanche (7:30 pm PT)
Table of Contents
denotes our recommendation for that particular plan or category. Streaming services that include ESPN
If you're a big time sports junky or just a casual fan, ESPN has something for everyone. From live coverage of the NFL, MLB and NBA to top-notch reporting, ESPN delivers a ton of value. Some of their more popular shows include: SportsCenter, Pardon the Interruption, Around the Horn, etc.
In addition to the regular ESPN app, ESPN also offers a separate paid ESPN+ app, which lets you stream premium live content for $12.99/mo. This is NOT the same content as that on their primary channels (ESPN, ESPN 2, etc). It includes more specialized live events like MMA, little league WS, poker, etc. Overall, a solid complement to the primary channels and can also be packaged with Hulu and Disney (often for free).
Back to the regular ESPN channels, here's how best to stream it...
ESPN on FuboTV - our recommended service
- Channels: 304
- Best price: $9.99
- 5-day free trial
WatchThe biggest difference with Fubo and the rest of the providers on this page is their slant on sports. They came on the scene as a soccer (futbol) hub and, now with a more complete programming lineup, they still have more sports content than just about any other streaming service.
With regard to ESPN, like the other providers on this page, they too have ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN News and ESPNU. However, they also have ESPN Deportes (the Spanish language version of ESPN). So, if you want to catch more Soccer or MLB/NBA, etc in Spanish, it's a cool channel to have.
- First month discount
- Unlimited DVR
Features
- Best overall sports coverage
- Unlimited DVR storage
- Unlimited Screens
- Don't raise rates that often
Cons
- Might pay a little more for sports coverage
Price-wise, Fubo is competitive to DIRECTV and Hulu, so folks looking for ESPN will get plenty of overall value. MLB fans also get MLB Network in all their plans. If you have a large household, Fubo allows for unlimited, simultaneous connections, so that's a big plus for some. Overall, their 7-day free trial is a great way to try out their 120+ channels (found in their smallest plan, Pro).
ESPN on DIRECTV
- Channels: 160
- Best price: $84.99
- 5-day free trial
Visit DIRECTVDIRECTV is a lightweight streaming provider that carries ESPN in all their plans. Their lowest-priced plan is Entertainment ($84.99/mo, 90 channels).
ESPN 2 is also included in all their plans. ESPN News and ESPNU, however, are only available with the Choice plan and above (i.e., NOT in the Entertainment package). That's because Choice has a bunch more sports than Entertainment, so for ESPN fans, that might end up being the better fit.
- $5 off for 24 months (save $120)
- Free Prem Movies for 3 mths
- $10 off for 24 months (save $240)
- Free Prem Movies for 3 mths
Features
- Full suite of local channels
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage
- Simultaneous connections: 3
- Fast-forward through commercials
- Multiple recordings at a time
Cons
- Extra taxes on top of prices above
Of all the ESPN providers on this page, DIRECTV has the most complete lineup (similar to regular cable)... but at a slightly higher cost. However, for that price, you also get plenty of more live channels than other providers, so the value is definitely there. Overall, if you're fine with paying a bit more, DIRECTV is our recommended way to watch the ESPN family of channels.
ESPN on Hulu with Live TV
ESPN and Hulu are in the same family, all owned by Disney/NBCUniversal. Savings-wise, that means if you bundle a combination of their services you'll come out well ahead. For example, bundling Hulu Live, Disney+ and ESPN+ saves you over 50%.
As far as packages go, ESPN is only found in Hulu with live TV (NOT available in the regular on-demand Hulu). There's only one Hulu with live TV plan and it also carries the rest of the ESPN channels: ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPNU and ESPN College Extra. At $89.99/mo (ad supported), it's about the same price as DIRECTV and carries the bulk of the same channels as well.
Features
- Solid mix of 75 high-demand channels
- Simultaneous connections: 2
- Hulu cloud DVR: 50 hrs, no extra cost
- Access to Hulu on-demand library
- Disney+ and ESPN+ included free
Cons
- Have to pay more for ad-free version
Since Hulu live and DIRECTV are roughly the same price, you may be wondering which to choose. With regard to ESPN, they have the same lineup PLUS ESPN College Extra. The rest of the live channels are somewhat similar, so, if you're not a college sports fan, it may come down to the on-demand options. Hulu's on demand library hosts a ton classics from NBC (and, more recently, FX). Examples include I Love Lucy, The Office, Frasier, Cheers, Freaks and Geeks, Arrested Development, etc, etc. Toss in the bonuses, we give the slight edge to Hulu Live.
Popular shows on ESPN
ESPN has plenty of original programming and it generally fits into the following categories: live games, news and talk. Their flagship program is, of course, SportsCenter -- it's still the definitive source for breaking news and analysis. Other classic shows still on the air include: Around the Horn, Pardon the Interruption, Monday Night Countdown, College GameDay, Baseball Tonight and NFL Primetime.
In particular, Pardon the Interruption was one of the first fast-paced sports talk and humor shows to really gain traction on cable. Launched in 2001, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon were the perfect quick-witted duo to discuss (and debate) the prior sporting day. Over 20 years later, they're still getting it done every single day, dishing a non-mainstream perspective to a whole new generation.
Since ESPN hit the airwaves in 1990, plenty of original, popular shows have now gracefully retired. Some of those include: Jim Rome is Burning, Mike & Mike, Outside the Lines, Cold Pizza, Talk2, etc. From time-to-time, you can still catch archived versions of important episodes on the sister channels... bummer ESPN Classic isn't around any longer!
Streaming services with and without ESPN
As you'd expect, ESPN is found on just about all live streaming providers. If you're going to offer live TV, sports fans, whether fringe or hardcore, at the very minimum expect ESPN. ESPN's sister channels (ESPN 2, ESPN News, ESPNU, etc.) are nice to have as well, but without ESPN, a lot of live TV plans just aren't attractive enough to the average subscriber. So, good news is all the major OTT providers with live TV include ESPN in their base plans: Hulu, fubo, DTV Stream, etc. ESPN doesn't usually get bundled with the smaller pay providers, like Philo (licensing fees are too expensive). Here's the full list:
Hulu Live- $89.99/mo
- Free Disney+
DIRECTV- $84.99/mo
- 5-day trial
Fubo- $48.99/mo
- 5-day trial
Sling TV- $23.00/mo
- 7-day trial
YouTube TV- $82.99/mo
- 10-day trial
Philo- $33/mo
- 7-day trial
Peacock TV
- $4.99/mo
- 7-day trial
Paramount+
- $7.99/mo
- 7-day trial
Similar channels to ESPN
ESPN has been around so long (since 1979) that all other sports channels compare themselves to it. Of course, ESPN now has a ton of sister channels that have carved out their own niche and following. Instead of profiling those channels, below, we'll cover 3rd party channels that have a programming overlap with ESPN (whether they're full-time sports or not).
- Fox Sports - An off-shoot of big papa Fox, Fox Sports and FS2 are home to a variety of exclusive sporting events: MLB, NCAA football, motor sports, boxing, PBA, etc. In particular, FS is a big part of their overall NCAA football coverage (Big East, Pac-12, Big Ten, Mountain West and Big 12).
- MLB Network - one of the first full-time sports channel from the big 3, MLB Network made the mold for round-the-clock news and analysis. From former players to fantasy experts, it's a must-have for all big-time MLB fans.
- Telemundo - if major soccer events is your thing, Telemundo has the rights to all the big tournaments, including the World Cup. It also covers smaller regional soccer tourneys, year-round.
- Bally Sports - home to a bunch of Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), it delivers local MLB and NBA games all across the country. From Arizona and Socal to Florida and the Great Lakes.
Live Sports on ESPN
Quite obviously, ESPN is all about sports and anchored by live broadcasts. They have licensing agreements with all the major sports and leagues. Starting with the big four, they've covered the MLB, NFL, NBA (80) and NHL for decades. With the NBA, they usually feature about 80 games a season (some get promoted to ABC).
Every NHL season, the ESPN/ABC family broadcasts about 100 games across all their platforms (ESPN+/Hulu, ESPN2, ABC, etc). The big papa ESPN, profiled on this page, shows about 25 of the 100.
With the MLB, ESPN has rights to Sunday Night Baseball and the Wild Card round.
Finally, the NFL and Monday Night Football is broadcast on ABC and simulcast on ESPN. Other MNF versions like ManningCast air on ESPN2. ESPN also has rights to a handful of playoffs games. In all, you'll get about 25 NFL on ESPN.
Other league/sports you'll find on ESPN include: NCAA football and basketball, Soccer (La Liga, Bundesliga), tennis (US Open, Australia Open), etc, etc.
ESPN does a solid job with their Sunday Night Baseball coverage but it's really the special events that showcase its experience: Opening Day, Home Run Derby, Wild Card Rounds, etc.
ESPN has been broadcasting NHL games longer than anyone. They basically grew up together. ESPN's first NHL game (in 1979, Capitals vs Whalers) was broadcast just months after their own debut as a sports cable channel. How time has flown!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these streaming services give me access to the ESPN app?
Yes. In the ESPN app, find the provider and login. It'll unlock all the content found in all the ESPN channels you have access to. Note that this is different from the ESPN+ (separate subscription also accessible via the ESPN app).
Can I get access to ESPN3?
Via streaming, there aren't many ways to get ESPN3. It's mostly a spillover channel, though, that shows live programming when the primary channels are busy or backed up with games in overtime.
What can I watch on ESPN College Extra?
Available via Hulu with Live TV, ESPN College Extra mostly features college basketball and football. They also show a solid amount of baseball and softball, with plenty of live and recorded matches throughout the week.
