It was an incredible year for sports in 2016, and one of the things the year gave us was the premiere of ESPN8: The Ocho. Now, ESPN is celebrating the tenth anniversary. The 10th anniversary will feature the most content ever, taking over ESPN platforms from Thursday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 9, with 74.5 hours of thrilling, unexpected, and unconventional sports. If you are looking for a live TV streaming service to watch all 75 hours and four days of content, but don’t want to get roped into a month-long contract, we recommend streaming it with a five-day free trial to DIRECTV. You can also stream it on ESPN Unlimited.

How to watch ESPN8: The Ocho 2026

• When: Starts Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
• Stream: Watch with a five-day free trial to DIRECTV or on ESPN Unlimited.
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

Everything you need to know to watch ESPN8: The Ocho 2026:

Why we recommend watching ESPN8: The Ocho 2026 on DIRECTV

Your best bet is to sign up for the DIRECTV MySports Genre Pack. This plan has 20+ sports channels, including local broadcast channels, and normally costs $65 per month. For a limited time, however, new customers can get their first two months of service for just $50 each with a special discount.

Viewers will be able to use the MySports Genre Pack to watch the NBA and NHL Finals, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and much more, so if you want a more inclusive option to watch theStanley Cup Finals, this is the way to go. Plus, MySports includes a subscription to ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost and a five-day free trial for new subscribers.

DIRECTV also offers new subscribers a five-day free trial when you sign up, so you can watch some of the Stanley Cup Final series free with a subscription. Either DIRECTV MySports or ESPN Unlimited will offer live streams of every game in the series, and they are our favorite choices to watch by far.

5-Day Trial

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DIRECTV

DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.

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Following the launch of several genre-specific Genre Packs, there are now even more flexible ways to watch DIRECTV. Options like MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews, and MiEspañol provide affordable, targeted alternatives to larger bundles, allowing viewers to subscribe to a specific set of channels that match their interests without the cost of a full lineup.

DIRECTV starts at $59.99 / month for its Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $64.99 / month, as well as the MySports Pack $44.99 / month. At the top end, they also have an Ultimate ($94.99) for 218 channels. Slimmer Genre Packs for entertainment and news are MyEntertainment for $42.99 / month and MyNews $39.99 / month. There is no contract or broadcast TV fees with this DIRECTV streaming option.

The service was previously called DIRECTV STREAM, preceded by AT&T TV.

How much does DIRECTV cost in 2026?

DIRECTV now offers flexible entry points starting at $19.99/month for the MyKids Genre Pack, while full Signature Packages like Entertainment start at $84.99/month. See the full list: DIRECTV Pricing & Plans

Does DIRECTV have a free trial?

Yes, DIRECTV offers a 5-Day Free Trial for new customers, which includes access to your chosen package and any added Genre Packs.

What are DIRECTV Genre Packs?

Genre Packs are targeted, contract-free plans introduced in 2025. They include MySports ($69.99/mo), MyEntertainment ($34.99/mo), MyNews ($39.99/mo), and MiEspañol ($34.99/mo), often bundling apps like Max, Disney+, or Hulu.

How many channels does DIRECTV have?

The channel count varies by plan: the Entertainment package starts with 90+ channels, while the Premier package offers over 185+ channels. See the full list: DIRECTV Channels.

How many streams are allowed at once on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV allows for unlimited simultaneous streams on your home network and up to 3 streams while on the go. See more details: DIRECTV Simultaneous Streams

Does DIRECTV include local channels?

Yes, local affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are included in all Signature Packages and the MySports Genre Pack in most markets. See the full list: DIRECTV Local Channels.

Does DIRECTV have live sports?

DIRECTV is a leader in sports, offering ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and MLB Network, plus Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in the Choice plan and above. See the full list: DIRECTV Sports Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer premium channels?

Yes, you can add Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. Many 2026 Genre Packs now include these services as part of the base price. See the full list: DIRECTV Premium Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer 4K streaming?

DIRECTV provides dedicated 4K channels (104-106) for live sports and special events at no extra cost, provided you have a compatible 4K device.

Does DIRECTV have a DVR?

Every DIRECTV plan includes Unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record and save shows for up to 9 months.

Is there a Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee on DIRECTV?

An RSN fee of up to $15.99/month applies to the Choice package and above, as these plans include local sports coverage. This fee is determined by your zip code and the number of Regional Sports Networks available in your area.

Can I avoid the RSN fee on DIRECTV?

Yes. To avoid the RSN fee, you can subscribe to the Entertainment package or the MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/mo), which bundles sports content without a separate itemized RSN charge. See the breakdown: DIRECTV RSN Fees & Locations.

5-Day Trial

$59.99+ / month

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Can you watch ESPN8: The Ocho 2026 for free?

If you are just looking for a streaming service to watch this specific game and nothing else, there are options available for you. DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all offer free trials, but they vary in length, so be wary. DIRECTV’s industry-leading trial runs for five days, while Hulu + Live TV’s is a solid three days. With ESPN8: The Ocho 2026 running for four days,

The YouTube TV trial is a bit more difficult to nail down. The world’s largest live streamer is currently advertising a 21-day free trial, but our investigating indicates that it is not available to all users, and that some consumers only get an offer of two free days. So it is difficult to ascertain what you are actually getting before you go through the signup process. But for three free weeks of service, it is probably worth jumping through a few hoops.

So, if you are looking to watch the The Ocho and only the Ocho, the five day DIRECTV free trial with the MySports pack will be your best bet.

What events will be part of ESPN8: The Ocho 2026

Watch ESPN8: The Ocho 2025 highlights

What are all of the streamers you can use to watch ESPN8: The Ocho 2026?

Fortunately for sports fans, numerous different streaming services have ESPN as a streaming option, so you have options to choose from if you don’t already subscribe to any of them. We discussed DIRECTV and the free trial options above, but there is one more, and it offers a different type of streaming arrangement.

If you try DIRECTV, but aren’t satisfied with your free-trial offer, then Sling TV might be a better fit. Its Orange package includes ESPN and ESPN2. The Orange plan starts at $46 per month normally, but with a limited-time discount, you can get it 50% off for one month, lowering the price to $23. Then, the Sports Extra will cost another $11, bringing your total up to $34.

Sign up

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ESPN Unlimited

ESPN launched its highly anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21, 2025. For the first time, this service gives sports fans access to its full lineup of linear channels without a traditional cable or satellite subscription.

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Subscribers can pay the $31.99 monthly fee for ESPN Unlimited, which unlocks all ESPN linear channels — including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN on ABC — plus ESPN+ and ESPN3, totaling around 47,000 live events each year. A subscription may be purchased monthly or annually.

ESPN+ content is available as part of an ESPN Ultimate subscription; those seeking only ESPN+ can subscribe to ESPN Select for $13.99 instead.

ESPN Unlimited offers extensive coverage of the NFL, NBA, MLB, college sports, UFC, soccer, tennis, and more, along with original programming, studio shows, and “30 for 30” documentaries. Starting in 2026, the platform will become the exclusive U.S. streaming home for WWE’s premium live events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble.

NFL Network and NFL RedZone are also included through an NFL-ESPN partnership, which adds draft coverage, preseason games, and NFL+ Premium features. The enhanced ESPN app will feature Multiview for watching multiple games simultaneously, real-time stats, betting and fantasy tools, personalized highlight reels, and even e-commerce options for tickets and merchandise.

On September 1, 2026, ESPN Unlimited prices were raised — barely a year after launch — from $13 to $14 per month for ESPN Select and from $30 to $32 for ESPN Unlimited.

Viewers can subscribe directly or bundle ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu. With its robust live sports lineup, premium features, and the convenience of streaming anywhere, ESPN’s new service is a must-have for die-hard sports fans looking to cut the cord without sacrificing coverage.

Sign up

$31.99+ / month

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About ESPN8: The Ocho 2026?

The Tenth anniversary event features 74.5 hours of content running from Thursday, Aug. 6 to Sunday, Aug. 9 across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and streaming on the ESPN App. Some events making their Ocho debut include the Hacky Sack 2026 Championship, Weiner Dog Races, Great Bahamian Crab Races, and Bare-Knuckle Fighting Ice Wars. The Savannah Bananas are back for a fourth straight year and will be live in prime time on ESPN from Minneapolis, Friday, Aug. 7 and Saturday, Aug. 8.

How to watch ESPN8: The Ocho 2026 from anywhere

If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch the Ocho as you normally would, you can still catch all of the action, no matter where you are in the world, with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home — even when you’re not — making sure you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Keep in mind that you will still need to be subscribed to a live TV streaming like [DIRECTV TV $] to stream the Ocho with a VPN.

ExpressVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get a month of service for as little as $5. ExpressVPN is the most-trusted VPN on the market and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, best-in-class encryption, 24-hour live support, and the best speeds available.

While ExpressVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN to use while you are traveling, there are a number of other high-quality options available depending on what you are looking for.

• Most Secure: NordVPN | Starting at $3.09 per month
• Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
• Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available

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