ESPN+ Review
ESPN+ is a live TV streaming service that gives access to thousands of live sporting events, original shows like Peyton’s Place, the entire library of 30 for 30, E:60, The Last Dance, as well exclusive written analysis from top ESPN insiders. Sports available on ESPN+ include NFL, MLB, NHL, UFC, College Football, F1, Bundesliga, PGA Tour, La Liga, and more.
The service can be subscribed for $10.99 / month per month or annually for $109.99 / year.
You will get a daily out-of-market game from MLB, and every out-of-market NHL with NHL Power Play (previously NHL.TV). For NFL Fans, they have an exclusive NFL game, and simulcast select Monday Football games.
The service has some of the most attractive soccer coverage including Bundesliga, LaLiga, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredevise and more.
College sports fans will be able to watch thousands of games and events including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, track & field, gymnastics, swimming & diving, lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball, golf, and more.
For boxing and UFC fans, the service offers Top Rank boxing and will be the home of 15 exclusive UFC events.
ESPN+ now includes exclusive insights from analysts like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay (which used to be part of ESPN Insider), as well as premium Fantasy Tools & PickCenter.
What it does not include is most live sports that air on ESPN and ESPN2.
To get access to those channels you have to subscribe to a live TV streaming service. We suggest reading our guide on How to Watch ESPN without Cable.
Review
We tested ESPN+ and other live TV streaming services for more than 100 hours. ESPN+ is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Content
Nationally Televised Live Sports
ESPN+ provides access to additional games that you wouldn’t normally get including hockey, soccer, boxing, UFC, college sports, and more.
College Sports
Thousands of live events – including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, track & field, gymnastics, swimming & diving, lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball, golf and more – from 20 conferences across the country.
NBA G League
Over 200 games per season from the NBA’s official minor league.
Emirates FA Cup
The service will bring 79 FA Cup matches starting in November through the Final match. They will also air the FA Community Shield, annual match between the FA Cup and Premier League winners.
Serie A
Over 340 matches of Italy’s top soccer league including coverage of Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus. ESPN+ will also carry weekly Series A preview and highlight shows.
UFC
Starting in 2019, ESPN+ will be the home to 15 exclusive UFC events branded ESPN+ Fight Night. The will also air new seasons of Dana White’s Contender Series starting in June 2019.
Top Rank Boxing
Hundreds of live boxing matches, including 18 ESPN+ exclusive Top Rank fight cards throughout the year, all Top Rank on ESPN undercard fights, re-airs of all Top Rank on ESPN and Top Rank on ESPN PPV bouts, plus weigh-ins and more.
PGA Tour Golf
50 days of coverage from 20 PGA tour events, including the RBC Heritage, THE PLAYERS Championship, the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, the FedExCup Playoffs and more.
Grand Slam Tennis
Hundreds of men’s and women’s singles, doubles and other matches, from the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Cricket
Hundreds of Test, ODI and T20 format matches from New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Ireland.
Rugby
Hundreds of matches from SANZAAR Rugby, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens series, and Major League Rugby.
Canadian Football League
Nearly 200 games from Canada’s professional league.
English Football League
Approximately 200 total matches, including an average of four per week from Sky Bet Championship Playoffs, League 1 and League 2, plus six matches per month from the EFL Cup (beginning in August) and 16 matches per month throughout the EFL 2018-19 season.
UEFA Nations League
Over 100 live matches from the newly created tournament. Pay TV customers with an ESPN+ subscription will be able to access the entire tournament including the 36 UNL matches on ESPN linear networks and ESPN3.
United Soccer League
Approximately 450 USL matches this season.
Out-of-Market Live Sports
ESPN+ provides access to live sports, but not the games that you would normally on ESPN.
MLB
A daily game, seven days per week, throughout the regular season, a total of more than 180 games that will include every MLB team.*
NHL
A daily game throughout the regular season for a total of more than 180 hockey games — as well as on-demand replays of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
MLS
The entire MLS LIVE out-of-market schedule with more than 250 games this season, as well as the local-market home for the Chicago Fire, exclusively bringing 23 Fire matches to fans in Chicago.
You won’t get access to live games on ESPN or ESPN2 like Monday Night Football, national NBA and MLB games, UEFA Champions League, and more.
Originals
ESPN has started to produce original shows that are available exclusively to ESPN+ subscribers.
For new subscribers, we put together a guide for the best shows and documentaries on ESPN+.
- Always Late w/ Kate Nolan : Daily late night show starring Katie Nolan.
- Detail: Kobe Bryant hosted NBA analysis show
- In the Crease: Nightly NHL highlights show with Barry Melrose & Linda Cohn
- ESPN FC: Daily soccer news and highlights show hosted by Dan Thomas
ESPN Originals
ESPN+ becomes the only place you can access the entire archive of 30 for 30, as well as exclusive access to the 30 for 30: “The Last Days of Knight.”
You’ll also get access to original shows Draft Academy, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the 2018 NFL Draft and Quest for the Stanley Cup, a behind-the-scenes documentary of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Additionally, you’ll get on demand access to E:60 and SC Featured, as well as annual recaps of The Masters dating back to 1960.
Features
No Parental Controls
There are no parental controls for ESPN+.
Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and STARZ have parental control features.
Up to 5 Devices
ESPN+ allows you to stream on up to 5 devices simultaneously.
Ads
ESPN+ will get no display ads and no pre-rolls ads in video content on the entire ESPN App and website. You will still see ads during natural advertising breaks.
ESPN Insider Feature
You will get exclusive written insights from analysts like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, as well as premium Fantasy Tools & PickCenter.
Sports Marketplace Feature
Subscribers will be able to purchase and watch MLB.TV, NHL.TV, and UFC Fight Pass directly from within the ESPN App.
Multicast Feature
If you watch using an Apple TV or Xbox, you can access a live “multicast” view to watch up to four live events at once. The app can connect to your live TV provider to pull in broadcasts not normally available on ESPN+.
Compatible Devices
ESPN+ is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast (Google Cast)
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone/iPad (iOS 13+)
- Android Phone/Tablet (5.0+)
- Mac
- Windows
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- LG Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Samsung Smart TV (2016+)
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV (AirPlay/Google Cast)
Tech Specs
- Most games will stream in 1080p HD / 60 fps withs stereo audio
- Pause, Rewind, or restart all live and on demand content
- Watch on up to 5 devices at the same time
1080p HD
Most video streams are in 1080p HD.
60 FPS
Most video streams in 60 FPS.
Stereo Sound
Content has stereo audio.
Reliability
ESPN+ has reliable on demand performance.
Live Delay
Live Delay
Live content is about 40 seconds behind cable TV.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does ESPN+ cost?
ESPN+ is available starting at $10.99 / month. See the full list: ESPN+ Pricing & Plans
Does ESPN+ have a free trial?
ESPN+ does not have a free trial.
Does ESPN+ have a DVR?
ESPN+ does not have a DVR.
What channels are on ESPN+?
ESPN+ includes 1 channels including No top cable channels. See the full list: ESPN+ Channels.
How many streams are allowed at once on ESPN+?
ESPN+ allows up to 5 devices at the same time. See more details: ESPN+ Simultaneous Streams
Does ESPN+ have local channels?
Does ESPN+ have live sports?
Sports channels are not available on ESPN+.
Does ESPN+ offer premium channels?
Premium channels are not available on ESPN+.
Does ESPN+ offer on demand content?
ESPN+ includes on demand content from most of the channels they offer. Unlike content on your DVR, you won’t be able to skip ads.
Does ESPN+ support TV Everywhere apps?
You cannot access TV Everywhere apps with ESPN+.
Does ESPN+ have a TV Guide?
ESPN+ includes a TV Guide similar to what you would get with your cable or satellite set-top box.
Does ESPN+ have ads?
ESPN+ includes ads during live viewing of shows, as well on all on-demand content. You can skip ads when you watch shows recorded to your DVR.
Does ESPN+ offer 4K streaming?
ESPN+ does not include 4K content as part of the service.
Does ESPN+ offer Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound?
ESPN+ does not include Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound as part of the service.