ESPN runs three streaming products in 2026 and the lines between them confuse many US fans. ESPN+ is the original DTC sports-streaming service at $11.99/month — it carries ESPN-exclusive content (UFC Fight Night, MLS coverage outside the Apple package, NHL out-of-market, La Liga, FA Cup) plus the 30-for-30 documentary archive, but it does not include the linear ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPN3 cable channels. For linear ESPN, the standalone DTC ESPN service launched in 2025 ($29.99/month) gives you the cable channels without a vMVPD or cable box. The Disney bundle ($26.99/month for Disney+ Premium + Hulu + ESPN+) remains the best-value entry point for casual sports fans.
Where to watch legally in the US
| Content | Service tier | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| UFC Fight Night, MLS (non-Apple), NHL out-of-market | ESPN+ | $11.99 |
| UFC PPV (Saturday cards) | ESPN+ + PPV add-on | $11.99 + $79.99/event |
| La Liga, FA Cup, EFL Carabao Cup | ESPN+ | included |
| 30-for-30 + ESPN documentary archive | ESPN+ | included |
| Linear ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 | DTC ESPN (standalone) | $29.99 |
| Linear ESPN via bundle | YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo | $82.99+ |
| Disney bundle (Disney+ + Hulu + ESPN+) | Disney bundle | $26.99 |
| Top-tier college football | ESPN, ABC linear | DTC ESPN or vMVPD |
| Monday Night Football | ESPN linear | DTC ESPN or vMVPD |
| NBA Finals, MLB postseason undercard | ESPN, ABC | DTC ESPN or vMVPD |
2025/26 ESPN highlights
| Date | Event | Window (ET) | ESPN service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 8, 2025 | Monday Night Football season opener | 8:15pm | ESPN linear |
| Sep–Dec 2025 | College football Saturdays | All day | ESPN, ESPN2, ABC |
| Nov 2025 | UFC 311 PPV | 10:00pm | ESPN+ PPV add-on |
| Dec 25, 2025 | Christmas Day NBA games | All day | ESPN + ABC |
| Jan 4, 2026 | NFL Wild Card weekend | All weekend | ESPN + ABC |
| Feb 8, 2026 | Super Bowl LX (NBC) | 6:30pm | Studio show on ESPN |
| Apr 4, 2026 | NCAA Final Four | All day | TBS, CBS (not ESPN) |
| May 30, 2026 | UEFA Champions League Final | 3:00pm | CBS (not ESPN) |
| Jun 4–22, 2026 | NBA Finals 2026 | 8:30pm | ABC + ESPN+ |
How to watch
- Pick the right ESPN service. ESPN+ for UFC, MLS, college sports and the archive ($11.99). DTC ESPN for linear cable ESPN channels ($29.99). Disney bundle for best value ($26.99 with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+).
- Subscribe at espn.com or in the ESPN app. The Disney bundle goes through disneyplus.com. The standalone DTC ESPN service is the newest product (launched 2025) and may still bear the “ESPN” brand directly on the sign-up page.
- Install the ESPN app on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox, PlayStation, Samsung/LG/Vizio smart TVs, iOS and Android. Sign in with your ESPN account; ESPN+ and DTC ESPN both unlock through the same app.
- Tune in. ESPN+ runs a “Live” tab during event windows; UFC PPV cards unlock after the one-time $79.99 purchase. La Liga and FA Cup matches are scheduled alongside other ESPN+ live events.
- For UFC PPVs, the $79.99 PPV add-on is on top of the regular $11.99 ESPN+ subscription. Annual bundles occasionally appear (ESPN+ + 3 PPVs for $174.99) — check the ESPN+ subscription page in fight weeks.
ESPN soccer coverage in the US
ESPN+ is the legal US home for La Liga, the FA Cup, the EFL Carabao Cup, the Bundesliga 2 / 3. Liga, Eredivisie and several federation friendlies. The Champions League is on Paramount+, the Premier League is on Peacock, and MLS is on Apple TV — ESPN+ does not carry these. The “ESPN Soccer” landing inside the app surfaces live La Liga and FA Cup fixtures plus ESPN FC studio shows.
For more US broadcaster context see Peacock NBC Premier League, Paramount+ Champions League and the Markky Streams homepage.