ESPN Plus has emerged as a leading platform for sports enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive streaming experience. But before diving into the world of live games, exclusive content, and expert analysis, a crucial question arises for many: How Much Is Espn Plus?
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about ESPN Plus costs, subscription plans, and the value it offers to sports fans in 2024. We’ll explore the pricing structure, available bundles, content highlights, and answer all your burning questions to help you decide if ESPN Plus is the right streaming service to fulfill your sports entertainment needs.
What Exactly is ESPN Plus?
ESPN Plus (ESPN+) is a dedicated sports streaming service, providing subscribers with access to a vast library of live events, on-demand content, and premium articles. It’s designed as a complementary service to the traditional ESPN cable channels, offering a different and often more expansive range of sports coverage.
While ESPN Plus features live games from major leagues like MLB, NHL, and college sports, it’s important to understand that it does not grant access to the live streams of ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNews channels. Think of ESPN Plus as a separate digital platform with its own unique content lineup, focusing on delivering a wider variety of sports, including many that are not typically broadcast on the main ESPN networks.
Breaking Down the ESPN Plus Price: Monthly vs. Annual Plans
When it comes to ESPN Plus pricing, simplicity is key. ESPN offers two straightforward subscription options:
- Monthly Plan: Priced at $12 per month, this plan provides complete access to all ESPN Plus content on a rolling monthly basis. It’s a flexible option for those who want to try the service or only need it for specific sports seasons.
- Annual Plan: For a longer commitment, the annual subscription costs $120 per year. Opting for the annual plan translates to significant savings, effectively reducing the monthly cost to just $10 per month, saving you approximately 16% compared to paying monthly for a year.
Choosing between the monthly and annual plan largely depends on your viewing habits. If you’re a year-round sports fan and plan to utilize ESPN Plus consistently, the annual plan offers better value for your money.
What Sports and Content are Included with ESPN Plus?
ESPN Plus boasts a rich and diverse content library, catering to a wide spectrum of sports interests. Subscribers can enjoy:
- Live Games: Catch live action from MLB, NHL, and NFL games (select games, not primetime). College sports are a major draw, featuring college football, basketball, and various other NCAA events. International soccer, including leagues and tournaments from around the globe, is also heavily featured. Fans of combat sports will find extensive coverage of UFC events (early prelims and prelims, PPV events are separate). Other sports include PGA golf, tennis, and more niche sports.
- On-Demand Shows and Analysis: ESPN Plus offers a growing library of original shows, replays, game analysis, and studio programs. Look for content hosted by prominent sports figures and in-depth documentaries like the acclaimed “30 for 30” series.
It’s worth reiterating that while ESPN Plus offers a wealth of content, it typically does not include live NBA games or live broadcasts of the main ESPN cable channels. For NBA coverage, you might need to explore other streaming services that carry NBA games.
ESPN Plus Bundles: Unlock More Entertainment and Savings
To enhance the value proposition, ESPN Plus is often available in attractive bundles with other streaming services, particularly within the Disney family:
- Disney Bundle Trio (Basic & Premium): Combine ESPN Plus with Disney Plus and Hulu for a discounted rate. The “Basic” bundle, with ads on Disney+ and Hulu, starts at $16.99 per month, offering substantial savings compared to subscribing to each service individually. The “Premium” bundle, at $26.99 per month, provides ad-free versions of Disney+ and Hulu, while ESPN+ remains ad-supported (common for live sports streaming).
- Hulu + Live TV: All Hulu + Live TV plans include ESPN Plus, along with Disney Plus and Hulu’s on-demand library, plus access to over 90 live TV channels. While pricier, starting at $76.99 per month, this bundle provides a comprehensive entertainment package, including live sports from ESPN and beyond, making it a strong option for cord-cutters.
- UFC PPV Bundle: For dedicated UFC fans, ESPN Plus offers a bundle that includes an annual ESPN Plus subscription and a UFC Pay-Per-View (PPV) event for a reduced price, typically around $134.98. This bundle is a cost-effective way to enjoy both regular ESPN Plus content and access major UFC fight nights.
Understanding ESPN Plus UFC PPV Costs
While your standard ESPN Plus subscription provides access to many UFC events, UFC Pay-Per-View (PPV) main events are not included. These premier fight cards require an additional purchase.
The standard UFC PPV price on ESPN Plus is $79.99 per event. It’s crucial to note that you must be an ESPN Plus subscriber to purchase and watch UFC PPV events through the platform. This means that to watch a UFC PPV main card, you’ll need to factor in both the ESPN Plus subscription cost (monthly or annual) and the separate PPV event fee.
Is There an ESPN Plus Free Trial in 2024?
As of 2024, ESPN Plus does not offer a standalone free trial. The free trial option for ESPN Plus has been discontinued.
However, keep an eye out for occasional free trial promotions associated with the Hulu + Live TV bundle. Sometimes, Hulu + Live TV may offer a limited-time free trial (typically around 3 days) which would grant temporary access to Hulu + Live TV, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus as part of the package. These trials are not always available, so it’s best to check the Hulu + Live TV website for current offers.
Signing Up for ESPN Plus: A Quick Guide
Getting started with ESPN Plus is a straightforward process:
- Visit the ESPN Plus Website: Go to the official ESPN Plus website.
- Browse Plans: Look for the “Browse Plans” button, usually prominently displayed.
- Select Your Plan: Choose between the monthly or annual ESPN Plus subscription. Alternatively, you can explore bundle options if you’re interested in Disney Plus or Hulu as well.
- Create an Account or Log In: You’ll be prompted to create a new ESPN account or log in with an existing one.
- Enter Payment Information: Securely enter your payment details to finalize your subscription.
- Start Streaming: Once subscribed, you can access ESPN Plus content through the ESPN app on your compatible devices.
Where Can You Watch ESPN Plus? Device Compatibility
ESPN Plus offers broad device compatibility, allowing you to watch your favorite sports content on a wide range of platforms:
- Smartphones and Tablets: iOS and Android devices
- Computers: Web browsers
- Smart TVs: Many brands including Samsung, LG, Sony, and more
- Streaming Devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV/Google TV
- Gaming Consoles: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
With a single ESPN Plus subscription, you can stream on up to three devices simultaneously for most content. However, for UFC PPV events, simultaneous streaming may be limited to two devices.
ESPN Plus and the Future of Sports Streaming: Venu Sports & ESPN Flagship
The landscape of sports streaming is constantly evolving. Looking ahead, there are some significant developments to be aware of regarding ESPN Plus and the broader sports streaming market:
- Venu Sports: A joint venture between Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery is set to launch a new sports streaming service called Venu Sports. This platform will bundle sports content from all three companies, including ESPN Plus, along with channels like ESPN, Fox Sports, TNT, and TBS. While initially expected in Fall 2024, its launch may be delayed to 2025 due to legal factors and business mergers. Venu Sports aims to provide a comprehensive sports streaming destination, potentially impacting how ESPN Plus is accessed and bundled in the future.
- ESPN Flagship: Disney is also planning to introduce a new standalone ESPN streaming service called ESPN Flagship, anticipated in Fall 2025. ESPN Flagship is designed to offer a direct streaming option for everything broadcast on the main ESPN channel, something currently not available through ESPN Plus alone. Importantly, ESPN Flagship is expected to include ESPN Plus content, suggesting a potential integration or restructuring of ESPN’s streaming offerings in the coming years.
Final Thoughts: Is ESPN Plus Worth the Cost?
Ultimately, deciding if ESPN Plus is worth the cost depends on your individual sports viewing preferences and needs.
ESPN Plus is a strong value proposition if:
- You are a fan of college sports, MLB, NHL, UFC, international soccer, or other sports heavily featured on the platform.
- You are looking for a cost-effective way to access a wide range of live sports and on-demand content beyond traditional ESPN channels.
- You are interested in bundling ESPN Plus with Disney Plus and Hulu for broader entertainment options and potential cost savings.
However, ESPN Plus might not be the ideal choice if:
- Your primary focus is watching live NBA games or accessing live streams of the main ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNews channels. These are not directly included with ESPN Plus.
- You are looking for a free trial, as a standalone ESPN Plus free trial is not currently available.
Before making a decision, consider your favorite sports, compare the ESPN Plus price and content with other sports streaming services, and explore bundle options to maximize value. By understanding how much ESPN Plus costs and what it offers, you can make an informed choice to enhance your sports streaming experience.
