The cheapest way to watch ESPN depends on what you mean by “ESPN”. If you only need a single big game, Sling’s Day Pass at around $4.99 is the lowest-cost legal option. If you want the real ESPN channels all month, ESPN Unlimited at around $31.99 a month is now the cheapest direct route, and the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle is the best value if you would pay for Disney+ or Hulu anyway. ESPN Select, the old ESPN+, is cheaper but does not include the main ESPN channels.
ESPN raised its streaming prices on September 17, 2026, so older guides you find online are out of date. The figures below are around what each plan cost at the time of writing.
ESPN Select vs ESPN Unlimited: know what you are buying
ESPN launched its own direct-to-consumer service in August 2025 with two tiers. Picking the wrong one is the most common way people overpay or end up missing the game they wanted.
| Tier | What it includes | Approx. price at the time of writing |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN Select (formerly ESPN+) | Thousands of streaming-only events: out-of-market NHL and MLB, college sports, UFC Fight Nights. No ESPN or ESPN2 channels. | About $13.99/mo or $139.99/yr |
| ESPN Unlimited | Everything in Select plus ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, NFL Network and CW Sports simulcasts | About $31.99/mo or $319.99/yr |
If the event you want airs on ESPN or ESPN2, such as Monday Night Football, most NBA games on ESPN, or big college football games, you need Unlimited or a live TV service. Select alone will not show it.
Every legal way to get ESPN, ranked by price
| Option | ESPN channels included | Approx. monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| Sling Orange Day Pass | ESPN, ESPN2 and more for 24 hours | About $4.99 per day |
| ESPN Select | Streaming events only, no ESPN/ESPN2 | About $13.99 |
| Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select bundle | Streaming events only, plus Disney+ and Hulu | About $22 with ads |
| ESPN Unlimited | Full ESPN network lineup | About $31.99 |
| Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle | Full ESPN lineup plus Disney+ and Hulu | About $36 with ads, $45 ad-free |
| ESPN Unlimited + FOX One bundle | Full ESPN lineup plus FOX, FS1 and Big Ten Network | About $40 |
| Sling Orange | ESPN, ESPN2 and other cable channels (one stream) | About $45.99 |
| YouTube TV Sports plan | Locals, ESPN networks and ESPN Unlimited in the ESPN app | About $64.99 |
| Fubo Pro | Locals, ESPN networks and many sports channels | About $74 to $85, depending on promotions |
| Hulu + Live TV | Locals, ESPN networks, Disney+ and Hulu | About $89.99 |
Sling Orange also sells a Weekend Pass at around $9.99 and a Week Pass at around $14.99. These are handy for a playoff weekend or a single tournament, but they only allow one screen at a time.
The cheapest option for each type of viewer
You watch one or two games a month
Use Sling Day Passes or Weekend Passes. Two Day Passes in a month cost roughly $10, about a third of ESPN Unlimited. Just make sure the game airs on ESPN or ESPN2, and remember the pass only covers one device.
You want ESPN all season but nothing else
ESPN Unlimited is the cheapest full-month option. It has no long contract, so you can subscribe for football season and cancel in winter. The annual plan saves a little if you know you will keep it all year.
You already pay for Disney+ or Hulu
Switch to the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle. At around $36 a month with ads, it costs only a few dollars more than ESPN Unlimited alone and adds two full streaming libraries. This is usually the best value in the whole lineup.
You also want FOX and Big Ten games
The ESPN Unlimited and FOX One bundle at around $40 covers ESPN, ABC-produced ESPN events, FOX, FS1 and Big Ten Network. It is a strong pick for college football fans who do not need CBS or NBC, which an antenna can provide for free.
You want a cable-style package
If you also want local channels, a DVR and many cable networks, a live TV service is simpler. YouTube TV’s Sports plan is one of the lower-cost picks and includes ESPN Unlimited in the ESPN app. If you are already a YouTube TV or Xfinity customer, check your login first: some pay-TV customers get ESPN Unlimited in the ESPN app at no extra charge.
Watch ABC for free with an antenna
Many ESPN-produced events also air on ABC, including some Monday Night Football games, NBA games and big college football matchups. ABC is a broadcast network, so you can watch it free with an indoor HD antenna. Before paying for ESPN, check whether your game is on ABC.
- Look up the broadcast listing for the specific game on ESPN’s schedule or your TV guide.
- Use the FCC DTV reception map to confirm you can receive your local ABC station.
- A basic indoor antenna is a one-time cost of roughly $20 to $60.
How to keep your ESPN bill low
- Subscribe only during the season you care about, then cancel. ESPN Unlimited is month to month.
- Check whether your internet, mobile or TV provider already includes ESPN access through the ESPN app.
- Prefer the Disney bundle over separate subscriptions if you watch Disney+ or Hulu.
- Use Sling passes for occasional big games instead of a full month.
- Do not rely on VPNs or unofficial streams to get around blackouts or regional limits; they break terms of service and are not a safe saving.
Some readers compare these options with IPTV. IPTV technology is legal, but only services that hold the rights to the channels they carry are legal to use, so check licensing and your local law.
Which ESPN option should you choose?
For most people, the answer is simple. Occasional viewers should use Sling passes or catch ABC games with an antenna. Regular viewers should get ESPN Unlimited, or the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle if they use either of those apps. Only choose a full live TV service if you want local channels and a DVR as well.
For a wider look at bundles, see our guide to streaming TV service types compared, and our sports packages guide if you follow several leagues.
FAQ
Is ESPN Select the same as ESPN+?
Yes. ESPN Select is the new name for what used to be ESPN+. It includes streaming-only events but not the linear ESPN and ESPN2 channels, so it will not show most nationally televised ESPN games.
How much does ESPN Unlimited cost now?
ESPN Unlimited went up on September 17, 2026, to around $31.99 a month or $319.99 a year at the time of writing. Bundles with Disney+ and Hulu start around $36 a month with ads.
What is the cheapest way to watch ESPN for one game?
A Sling Orange Day Pass at around $4.99 gives you 24 hours of ESPN and ESPN2. If the game also airs on ABC, an antenna lets you watch it free.
Does ESPN Unlimited include SEC Network and NFL Network?
Yes. ESPN Unlimited includes SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU and, since the 2026 season, NFL Network in the ESPN app. It also streams CW Sports events.
Can I get ESPN Unlimited for free?
Some pay-TV and live TV customers, including YouTube TV and Xfinity subscribers, can sign in to the ESPN app and get Unlimited access as part of their package. Check with your provider before buying a separate plan.
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