Want to watch UFC fights, La Liga clashes, college football, and exclusive documentaries without cable? An ESPN+ subscription is your ticket to thousands of live games, PPV events, and original shows—all streamed directly to your device.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to get ESPN+, what it costs, and why sports fans across the U.S. are jumping on board.
What You Can Watch with an ESPN Plus Subscription
A standard espn plus subscription gives you access to a huge library of live sports, on-demand content, and exclusive programming. From soccer to UFC to college football, it’s designed for sports fans who want streaming flexibility without the hassle of traditional TV.
Live Sports with ESPN+
Subscribing to ESPN+ means you’ll have access to more than 32,000 live sporting events every year. This includes:
UFC Fight Night cards and access to ESPN Plus pay-per-view events
La Liga and Bundesliga soccer matches
PGA Tour LIVE golf coverage
College football and basketball across multiple conferences
NHL out-of-market games
Boxing, cricket, rugby, lacrosse, and more niche sports
UFC PPV events are not included in the base ESPN+ subscription. You must purchase these separately, but they are only available to ESPN+ members.
ESPN+ Original Series and Documentaries
With your espn plus subscription, you also get full access to ESPN’s award-winning original programming. Highlights include:
30 for 30 documentary films
Series like Man in the Arena, The Captain, and Detail
Original features and interviews with elite athletes and coaches
Exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of college sports
ESPN+ On-Demand Content
An espn membership gives you access to ESPN’s on-demand library, which includes:
Full replays of major sports events
Classic matchups and archive footage
Studio shows, analysis, and highlights
Whether you missed a live game or just want to rewatch your team’s best moments, everything is ready to stream on your schedule.
ESPN Plus Subscription Deals with ESPN BET
If you’re interested in both streaming live sports and betting on them, there are a few smart ways to combine your ESPN Plus subscription with ESPN BET.
ESPN BET Welcome Promo: $100 in Bonus Bets + 30 Days of ESPN+
New users who sign up for ESPN BET and place a first wager of $10 or more will unlock a special welcome offer:
$100 in bonus bets (issued as five $20 bets)
30 days of ESPN+ access, completely free
This is a limited-time promotion available in states where ESPN BET is licensed. It’s a strong deal if you’ve been considering ESPN+ but want to test the waters first—and if you’re planning to bet on events like UFC, NBA, or MLB, it’s a great two-for-one value.
PENN Play Loyalty Bonus: 12-Month ESPN Plus Subscription
If you’re part of the PENN Play rewards program, you can earn a full 12-month ESPN Plus subscription by reaching one of the top-tier status levels:
Owners Club Tier members automatically qualify
Elite Tier members can qualify by earning 25 Tier Points on ESPN BET (or Hollywood Casino Online) and 25 more at any PENN property
If eligible, PENN will send a unique code to your email so you can subscribe to ESPN+ at no extra cost.
Tip: These offers are subject to change and may not be available in every state, so always check the latest terms before signing up. But if you’re a regular bettor and a sports streamer, these ESPN BET deals offer one of the best ways to get ESPN Plus for free.
What It’s Like Using an ESPN Plus Subscription
I’ve been using my ESPN Plus subscription for over a year now, and I’ve tested it across just about every device and content type they offer. From the sign-up flow to the actual streaming experience, getting ESPN+ has been one of the most straightforward and reliable additions to my sports setup.
The process to subscribe to ESPN+ was smooth—took under three minutes—and I was watching a live Bundesliga match within 10. No confusing tiers, no upselling nonsense. Just one login and instant access to everything the espn membership includes.
On mobile, the ESPN app integrates ESPN+ content directly into the home screen, so there’s no extra app to download. I use it on my iPhone, my Fire TV stick, and occasionally on my browser. Across all three, the stream quality has held up well—even during high-traffic events like UFC PPV cards and college football Saturdays.
The layout makes it easy to browse upcoming events or jump into live matches. I follow La Liga, so ESPN+ always pushes those games to the top of my dashboard. There’s also a personalized watchlist, which auto-updates with games from your favorite teams.
One thing that stood out early was how much value I was getting. A lot of the big-name content—UFC Fight Nights, exclusive documentaries, PGA Tour events—just isn’t available anywhere else without cable. And because espn plus cost is so reasonable ($11.99/month or $119.99/year), it felt like I was unlocking premium access for the price of a few coffees.
Yes, UFC PPV events require a separate purchase, and no, you won’t find Monday Night Football live on ESPN+. But for everything else—especially niche sports and international events—the ESPN Plus subscription fills a massive gap in the streaming market.
If you’re someone who checks scores on the ESPN app anyway, upgrading to get ESPN Plus just makes sense. It’s already baked into the platform, and once you subscribe, your sports experience immediately levels up.
ESPN Plus Cost: 2025 Pricing Breakdown
Wondering how much an ESPN Plus subscription costs? Here’s a breakdown of the available pricing options so you can choose the plan that fits your needs.
Plan Type
Cost
Best For
ESPN+ Monthly Plan
$11.99/month
Casual users or short-term subscribers
ESPN+ Annual Plan
$119.99/year
Sports fans who want long-term savings
Disney Bundle
From $14.99/month
Viewers who want Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+
UFC Pay-Per-View Events
Varies (~$79.99)
Fight fans who want live PPV access
You can cancel your ESPN Plus monthly subscription at any time. There are no contracts or long-term commitments required.
Where to Watch ESPN Plus
Once you activate your espn plus subscription, you can stream from nearly any modern device. Compatible platforms include:
iOS and Android smartphones and tablets
Smart TVs including Samsung, LG, and Android TV models
Streaming devices like Roku, Fire Stick, and Apple TV
Gaming consoles including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
Web browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox
No matter what you use, your ESPN+ subscription follows you across screens.
Who Is an ESPN Plus Subscription Best For?
Not sure if an ESPN Plus subscription is right for you? Here’s a breakdown of who gets the most value from an espn membership, based on real usage and access perks.
UFC Fans Who Don’t Want to Miss a Fight
If you follow the UFC, subscribing to ESPN+ is essential. It’s the only place to watch Fight Night events, early prelims, and access UFC pay-per-view (PPV) cards. Even if you have cable, you still need an ESPN+ subscription to buy and stream UFC PPV fights.
Soccer Fans Looking for La Liga and Bundesliga
ESPN+ is one of the only streaming services that covers both La Liga and Bundesliga matches live. If you’re tired of trying to find dodgy streams or paying for overpriced international sports packages, the espn plus subscription offers a clean, legal way to follow the action each week.
College Sports Junkies
From mid-major college basketball matchups to wrestling, volleyball, and college football games not shown on ESPN’s main network, ESPN+ delivers real depth. If you’re into NCAA sports beyond the top-tier televised games, this is where you’ll find them.
Sports Documentary Lovers
The espn membership includes access to the full 30 for 30 library, plus original series like Man in the Arena, The Captain, and Detail. If you’re the type who’d rather relive the story behind the game than just the scoreline, these exclusives alone make the subscription worthwhile.
Cord-Cutters Who Still Want Live Sports
Tired of cable but still want access to premium sports? With an espn+ monthly subscription, you can stream thousands of live events and on-demand replays—without a contract, set-top box, or bundle bloat.
What an ESPN Plus Subscription Does NOT Include
To be clear, while the espn plus subscription offers massive value, it’s not a full replacement for traditional ESPN cable channels—yet.
Here’s What ESPN+ Doesn’t Offer:
No live NFL games – You won’t get Monday Night Football or Sunday NFL matchups. These still air on ESPN’s cable network and ABC.
No NBA regular season or playoff games – ESPN+ does not include any live NBA broadcasts.
No access to ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPN on ABC live streams – These require a cable login or a separate streaming service with TV access, unless you’re on the upcoming ESPN Unlimited plan (launching fall 2025).
The upside? You’re not paying extra for content you don’t need. The espn membership is focused on live events, niche sports, exclusive originals, and UFC coverage—not duplicating cable.
If you want both ESPN+ and the full suite of ESPN channels, wait for the new ESPN streaming platform rolling out later in 2025. It will bundle everything under one roof—but for a higher monthly cost.
ESPN Plus vs. Cable Sports Packages
Trying to decide between getting ESPN Plus or sticking with traditional cable? Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of how an espn plus subscription compares with ESPN via cable TV:
Feature
ESPN Plus
Traditional Cable (ESPN)
Monthly Cost
$11.99
$60–$100+ (bundled with other channels)
Live UFC Events
Fight Night, prelims, PPV access
Limited, often blocked or not included
International Soccer
La Liga, Bundesliga live matches
Usually unavailable or delayed coverage
College Sports
Dozens of games across all NCAA levels
Mostly limited to major conference games
On-Demand Library
Included: 30 for 30, replays, originals
Limited to cable re-airings
Cancel Anytime
Yes – no contract
No – usually locked into bundles
The bottom line? If you’re only watching ESPN for live sports and documentaries, the espn plus monthly subscription can save you serious money—while still offering exclusive coverage you won’t get on TV.
How We Rate ESPN Plus
We’ve reviewed dozens of sports streaming platforms, and when we rate a service like ESPN Plus, we look at five core things: value for money, sports coverage, device compatibility, stream quality, and cancellation flexibility. If a subscription doesn’t make watching sports easier and better—it doesn’t make the cut.
Why You Can Trust Us
We don’t just write about sports—we watch them for a living. From tracking underdog UFC prelims to rewinding La Liga stunners at 3 a.m., we’ve spent thousands of hours testing platforms like ESPN Plus the same way you would. No fluff, no affiliate hype—just straight-up experience from fans who live for the game. If we recommend it, it’s because we’ve streamed it, stress-tested it, and still use it today.
Final Thoughts: Is an ESPN Plus Subscription Worth It?
For anyone serious about live sports, exclusive programming, and flexible streaming, an espn plus subscription offers outstanding value. Whether you’re tuning in for European football, college rivalries, PGA Tour coverage, or UFC pay-per-view fights, ESPN+ gives you access to events you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re tired of paying for expensive cable packages or missing out on premium coverage, it’s time to subscribe to ESPN+ and start watching the way you want.
FAQs
How much is ESPN Plus? The ESPN+ monthly subscription is $11.99, or you can pay $119.99 annually. Bundle deals with Hulu and Disney+ start at $14.99/month.
How do I get ESPN+? Visit plus.espn.com, click “Subscribe,” choose your plan, and create an account. You’ll be streaming in minutes.
Can I watch UFC PPV on ESPN+? Yes, but you’ll need to purchase each PPV event separately. You must have an ESPN+ membership to buy UFC PPVs.
Does ESPN+ include live NFL games? No. ESPN+ does not carry Monday Night Football. NFL coverage is limited to analysis and replays, not live games.
What’s included in the ESPN+ subscription? Access to 32,000+ live sporting events, exclusive ESPN originals, on-demand content, and replays.
Since graduating with an English and Media degree back in Dublin, I took a leap and landed in sunny Barcelona—where I’ve been working as a copywriter ever since, with over 3 years of experience in iGaming, sports betting, sweepstakes casinos, and everything in between. As an avid sports bettor and a recreational casino goer (yes, I’ve chased my fair share of bonus rounds), writing about this industry quickly became my niche. Working with platforms like WSN, Casinomeister, Online Casino Canada/UK/Ireland, I’ve written about pretty much anything you can bet on and would consider myself a bit of an expert! These days, I’m still working out of Barcelona—a city that lives and breathes sport. You’ll regularly find me at their matches, losing my head over a dodgy VAR decision. Favourite part of the job? Testing the platforms, games, and bonuses—all in the name of research, of course. 😉 There’s nothing better than rolling up your sleeves, trying out the latest offers, and sharing what’s actually worth your time and money. My message to you: Play smart, have fun, and don’t chase losses – the house always wins. And hey, if a sportsbook’s promo looks too good to be true… read the terms and conditions (trust me). 😄
