ESPN Plus Review 2025: Is It Still Worth It for Sports Fans?
ESPN+ costs about as much as two sad stadium hot dogs. I’ve streamed it for over three years now—here’s where it scores big and where it fumbles.
Is ESPN+ worth it?
If you’re a sports fan looking to stream more games without draining your wallet, ESPN+ delivers serious value. For $11.99 a month, it includes exclusive UFC cards, out-of-market NHL games, expanded PGA Tour coverage, and a deep on-demand library of sports docs. That’s exactly why I named it the Best Bang for Your Buck service in CableTV.com’s annual sports streaming guide.
But ESPN+ isn’t the MVP for everyone. It doesn’t carry SportsCenter, every Monday Night Football game, or other major ESPN cable broadcasts—you’ll need a separate TV plan for that. Think of ESPN+ more as a bonus channel than a full-on ESPN replacement.
Ready for the full breakdown? In this review, I’ll cover ESPN+ plans and pricing, which live sports are available, and the service’s key features and supported devices. By the end, you’ll know whether ESPN+ is the right fit for you.
How much does ESPN+ cost?
ESPN+ has long been one of the most affordable ways to stream live sports, but prices have crept up over the years. It now costs $11.99 a month. But if you’re like me and glued to live sports year-round, the $119.99 annual plan is the smarter play—it saves you about $24 per year.
Feeling bundle-friendly? The Disney Bundle Trio gets you ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+ starting at just $16.99 a month. It’s perfect for sports fans who also want a little Marvel or Only Murders in the Building between matchups. (For more bundling options, check out my ESPN+ Bundles guide for all the details.)
To unlock the full ESPN experience, I recommend pairing ESPN+ with a live TV service. Hulu + Live TV makes it easy by including ESPN+ and classic ESPN channels in one subscription.
ESPN+ plans and prices as of April 2025
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
If you’re into combat sports, ESPN+ lets you level up with exclusive pay-per-view (PPV) events. These cost extra, of course. PPVs are typically sold separately so promoters can cash in on high-demand fights. I’ve never bought one myself, but you can easily browse and purchase upcoming events in the ESPN app. Simply head to the Settings menu, tap Subscriptions & Events, and you’ll see what’s on deck.
Here’s what the current ESPN+ PPV pricing looks like:
- UFC PPVs: $79.99 ea.
- Top Rank Boxing PPVs: $49.99 ea.
What you can (and can’t) watch on ESPN+
When it comes to streaming services, content is king. Sure, price and device compatibility matter, too. But let’s be real: Knowing exactly what ESPN+ includes is the main selling point. My What To Watch on ESPN+ guide is a great resource for this topic, but here’s the quick-and-dirty version of what you get (and don’t get) with ESPN+.
ESPN+ live sports and even coverage
ESPN+ streams thousands of live events every year, from major leagues to niche favorites. You’ll get every out-of-market NHL game, select NFL matchups, UFC Fight Nights, Top Rank Boxing bouts, PGA Tour tournaments, and many Formula One races. And if you’re a college sports fan, ESPN+ is a goldmine, streaming over 6,000 NCAA games annually across football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and dozens of other sports.
I’m an active ESPN+ subscriber, mainly for its exclusive coverage of the Bundesliga and La Liga. If you’re a soccer fan, too, you’ll be happy to know that ESPN+ also hosts matches from the FA Cup, NWSL, and USL Championship. Beyond soccer, I’ve used ESPN+ to stream everything from cricket, rugby, and lacrosse to prestigious events like the America’s Cup and the Boston Marathon.
As for what’s missing? There aren’t many NBA games, though that’ll likely change next season under the NBA’s new 11-year TV deal. MLB coverage is also minimal—you won’t even get ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball matchups. So, if you’re looking for something specific, it’s always smart to double-check the official ESPN+ Schedule. Otherwise, you can tap the drop-down menu below for an extensive list of what events stream live on ESPN+.
- Australian Open
- Belgium Pro League
- College sports (25+ conferences)
- Dutch Eredivisie
- FA Cup
- Formula One
- German Bundesliga
- International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
- LPGA Tour
- Major League Rugby
- National Football League (NFL)
- National Hockey League (NHL)
- National Lacrosse League (NLL)
- National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
- NBA G League
- Northern Super League (NSL)
- PGA Tour
- Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)
- Professional Fighters League (PFL)
- Spanish La Liga
- TGL
- Top Rank Boxing
- U.S. Open Tennis Championships
- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
- United Football League (UFL)
- USL Championship
- USL League One
- Wimbledon Championships
- Women’s Super League
- World Surf League
Heads up! Regional blackouts can impact live events on ESPN+ when they’re also airing on local channels in your area. If games involve teams in your region or state, I recommend checking that team’s website or your local TV listings to see if blackout restrictions apply.
ESPN+ on-demand shows and movies
Another strength of ESPN+ is its on-demand content. The full 30 for 30 documentary library is available to stream, along with The Ultimate Fighter and feature-length ESPN Films like O.J.: Made in America.
ESPN+ has a growing slate of original shows, but I wouldn’t recommend subscribing just for them. Still, as a hockey and soccer fan, I’m glad to have quick access to studio shows like In the Crease and ESPN FC. And if you like behind-the-scenes storytelling, the Peyton’s Places docuseries (and its many spin-offs) is genuinely binge-worthy.
Just don’t expect classic ESPN talk shows. You’ll need a valid TV provider login to watch SportsCenter, Pardon the Interruption, and First Take in the ESPN app.
- 30 for 30 film series
- 30 for 30 Shorts
- Abby’s Places
- After TUF
- America’s Caddie
- Bananaland
- Dana White’s Contender Series
- Detail
- Eli’s Places
- ESPN FC
- Fuera de Juego
- Full Court Press
- Fútbol Américas
- Fútbol W
- The Harder Way
- In the Crease
- Inside 30 for 30
- Inside the College Football Playoff
- The Last Dance
- Man in the Arena: Tom Brady
- The Masters Official Films
- More Than an Athlete
- NFL Primetime
- O.J.: Made in America
- The Pat McAfee Show
- Peyton’s Places
- PFL Presents: The Randy Couture Story
- Player 54: Chasing the XFL Dream
- Quest for the Stanley Cup
- Rowdy’s Places
- Saturdays in the South
- UFC Embedded
- The Ultimate Fighter
- Why Not Us
ESPN+ features: The good, the bad, and the missing
ESPN+ gets the basics right … most of the time. You can pause, rewind, and jump into live events without much fuss. But the features you get can vary depending on the device you’re using, which is something to consider before signing up.
Some platforms are clearly better suited for ESPN+ than others, as certain settings are hit or miss. For example, ESPN+ says captions are available on most content across all supported devices. But on my Samsung TV, the option just doesn’t exist. It’s a frustrating omission, especially if you rely on accessibility features like that.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Streams | Up to 5 |
| Resolution | Up to 1080p at 60fps |
| Audio | 2.0 stereo |
| Offline viewing | Shows and films only |
| Parental controls | None |
There’s also no watchlist feature in the ESPN app. For a service with hundreds of documentaries and thousands of live events, it’s baffling that you can’t bookmark anything. No “save for later,” no favorites, nothing. Just an old-school scroll hunt every time you want to find that random 30 for 30 episode your coworker recommended.
Pro tip: Fortunately, ESPN+ has a Continue Watching section. If there’s a series or movie you want to watch later, you could always hit play for a minute or two so it saves to your Continue Watching list. It’s annoying, but I’ve had to do it a few times myself.
Video and audio quality
ESPN+ streams in 1080p HD at 60 frames per second, which is a techy way of saying the picture quality is on par with most other streaming services. But not all ESPN+ content hits that mark. Some lower-profile events may stream in weaker quality, depending on the video source and your internet connection.
The audio is standard 2.0 stereo. It gets the job done, but don’t expect to feel completely immersed.
Strangely, there’s no support for 4K Ultra HD video or Dolby 5.1 surround sound. While ESPN’s Internet Speed Recommendations page mentions 4K UHD, that resolution isn’t available in the app. Still, you’ll want internet download speeds of at least 25Mbps to avoid lag. But I’ve found that staying within the 100–250Mbps range is much more reliable, especially if you have multiple devices connected to the internet.
Simultaneous streams
You can stream ESPN+ on up to five devices at once through the ESPN app, which is pretty generous. Just know that UFC PPVs are capped at two simultaneous streams—so no, your fight night party can’t stream in every room of the house.
ESPN+ also doesn’t support user profiles, so everyone in your household shares the same watch history. It’s not like there’s much personalization happening anyway (ahem, still no watchlist).
Casting ESPN+ is possible via Chromecast and AirPlay. And if you’re watching on Apple TV or Xbox, the Multicast feature lets you stream up to four live events simultaneously. It’s equal parts chaotic and glorious if you have one of those devices.
ESPN+ supported devices and app access
You can stream ESPN+ through the ESPN app or by logging in at ESPN.com. The app is widely available across smart TVs, streaming devices, phones, tablets, and gaming consoles, but not all platforms are created equal.
In my experience, Apple TV is the most optimized streaming platform for ESPN+. It’s fast, reliable, and supports features like picture-in-picture and Multicast. Amazon Fire TV and Roku come in just behind, with smooth performance and intuitive navigation. On the other hand, using the ESPN app on my PlayStation 4 felt clunky and outdated. But most streaming apps seem to struggle on the PS4.
You can expand the table below to see which popular streaming platforms support the ESPN app. For additional compatibility details, check out the official ESPN+ Supported Devices page.
| Device | ESPN app |
|---|---|
| Amazon Fire TV | ✔ |
| Amazon Fire tablets | ✔ |
| Android phones, tablets | ✔ |
| Android TV products | ✔ |
| Apple TV (4th gen.), 4K | ✔ |
| Cox Contour TV, Stream Player | ✔ |
| Google TV, Chromecast | ✔ |
| iPhones, iPads | ✔ |
| LG Smart TVs (select models) | ✔ |
| Nintendo Switch | — |
| NVIDIA Shield TV | ✔ |
| PlayStation 4, 5 | ✔ |
| PC, Mac web browsers | ✔ |
| Roku | ✔ |
| Samsung Smart TVs (select models) | ✔ |
| Sony Smart TVs (select models) | ✔ |
| VIZIO Smart TVs (select models) | ✔ |
| Xbox One, Series X, Series S | ✔ |
| Xfinity Flex, X1 | ✔ |
| Xumo TV, XiOne Box | ✔ |
Data effective as of post date.
How ESPN+ subscribers rate the service
As a sports-focused streaming service, ESPN+ held its own in our 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey. It landed not far behind giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, with a 77% “extremely or very satisfied” customer rating.
Honestly, I was surprised by how positive the feedback was. ESPN+ often gets a bad rap on social media. But that usually comes from people who don’t realize it’s not a streaming substitute for ESPN’s cable channels.
I did have to weed through a few survey responses clearly aimed at traditional ESPN (the ESPN vs. ESPN+ confusion lives on). But among actual ESPN+ users, the praise was consistent. Many cited college sports, hockey, and UFC coverage as reasons for subscribing, while others appreciated how easy it is to stream live events on the platform.
“I rated ESPN+ highly because it offers a wide range of sports content that aligns perfectly with my interests. The streaming quality is excellent, and I appreciate the additional features like exclusive shows and documentaries that enhance my viewing experience.”
Who should (and shouldn’t) subscribe to ESPN+?
There’s no doubt ESPN+ is a great deal for certain sports fans, but it’s definitely not for everyone. If you’re into soccer, UFC, or college sports, the annual subscription packs a ton of value. I’ve subscribed for years, and even though it doesn’t carry every league I follow, I’ve easily gotten my money’s worth.
But if you’re looking for full access to ESPN’s cable channels, ESPN+ won’t cut it. Want SportsCenter, Sunday Night Baseball, or every Monday Night Football game? You’ll still need a live TV plan, whether that’s a cable, satellite, or live TV streaming service. My teammate Logan Jones put together an ultra-comprehensive Best TV Providers guide worth checking out if that’s more what you’re after.
Still, even if ESPN+ only covers some of the sports you care about, its $11.99/mo. price tag is a solid deal. You’ll also get access to premium ESPN+ articles, fantasy sports tools, and a strong lineup of on-demand documentaries and originals. It’s not built for every fan, but it can be super handy on game day.
ESPN+ review FAQ
What is ESPN+?
What sports are on ESPN+?
What’s the difference between ESPN and ESPN+?
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Why you should trust us
At CableTV.com, we’re dedicated to reviewing and tracking the quality and reliability of TV providers. I’ve spent over three years researching and testing ESPN+ across different devices and sports seasons. This review reflects my hands-on experience as both a sports fan and someone deeply entrenched in the TV provider industry.
I focused on evaluating ESPN+ based on its value, accessibility, and content depth. I also examined how it stacks up against traditional ESPN channels and rival streaming services. Of course, TV is evolving rapidly, so I update this review regularly to reflect new pricing, programming changes, and broader industry shifts.
Check out CableTV.com’s How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
