ESPN2 has been a staple of the sports world since it launched in 1993 as an edgier, youth-oriented alternative to ESPN’s flagship network. Today, the channel is a powerhouse for major college football and basketball matchups, tennis Grand Slams, and niche sports coverage that doesn’t fit on the main feed. If you follow college athletics or daily sports news, ESPN2 is one of those channels you end up watching more than you expect.
Even though ESPN2 is widely distributed, finding it isn’t always straightforward. Channel numbers vary by location and provider, and the streaming landscape is now split between traditional live TV bundles and the new ESPN Unlimited service. With these shifting options, it can be tricky to know the best way to tune in, especially if you’re switching providers or trying to catch a game right before kickoff.
In this guide, I’ll help you find your local ESPN2 channel number and the best ways to start watching today. Let’s get you set up so you never miss a rivalry game or late-night matchup.
What channel is ESPN2 on near me?
ESPN2’s channel number varies from city to city because each TV provider organizes its lineup differently. National satellite services like DIRECTV and DISH keep ESPN2 on the same channel number across the country. But cable providers often place it on different channels depending on the region and package tier.
Below, I’ve compiled a table listing ESPN2 channel numbers in more than 50 U.S. cities across several popular TV providers. If you don’t see your city in the list, you can use our zip code tool to look up providers in your area and find the exact ESPN2 channel number for your location.
ESPN2 channel numbers in major U.S. cities
| City | Cox channel | DIRECTV channel | DISH channel | Optimum channel | Spectrum channel | Verizon Fios channel | Xfinity channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 8 |
| Anchorage, AK | — | 209 | 143 | 24 | — | — | — |
| Atlanta, GA | — | 209 | 143 | — | 33 | — | 47 |
| Austin, TX | — | 209 | 143 | 36 | 53 | — | — |
| Bakersfield, CA | — | 209 | 143 | — | 27 | — | — |
| Baltimore, MD | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | 74 | 5 |
| Boston, MA | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | 74 | 50 |
| Bronx, NY | — | 209 | 143 | 35 | 29 | 74 | — |
| Brooklyn, NY | — | 209 | 143 | 35 | 29 | 74 | — |
| Buffalo, NY | — | 209 | 143 | — | 31 | 74 | — |
| Charlotte, NC | — | 209 | 143 | — | 68 | — | — |
| Chicago, IL | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 30 |
| Cincinnati, OH | — | 209 | 143 | — | 31 | — | — |
| Cleveland, OH | 26 | 209 | 143 | — | 29 | — | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 34 |
| Columbus, OH | — | 209 | 143 | — | 32 | — | — |
| Dallas, TX | — | 209 | 143 | 36 | 34 | — | — |
| Denver, CO | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 35 |
| Detroit, MI | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 29 |
| El Paso, TX | — | 209 | 143 | — | 26 | — | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 35 |
| Fort Worth, TX | — | 209 | 143 | — | 34 | — | — |
| Fresno, CA | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 33 |
| Honolulu, HI | — | 209 | 143 | — | 224 | — | — |
| Houston, TX | — | 209 | 143 | 226 | — | — | 34 |
| Indianapolis, IN | — | 209 | 143 | — | 45 | — | 43 |
| Jacksonville, FL | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 49 |
| Kansas City, MO | — | 209 | 143 | 36 | 34 | — | — |
| Las Vegas, NV | 31 | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | — | 209 | 143 | — | 40 | — | — |
| Louisville, KY | — | 209 | 143 | — | 30 | — | — |
| Memphis, TN | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 24 |
| Miami, FL | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 35 |
| Milwaukee, WI | — | 209 | 143 | — | 29 | — | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 26 |
| Nashville, TN | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 29 |
| New Orleans, LA | 36 | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | — |
| New York, NY | — | 209 | 143 | 35 | 29 | 74 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 28 | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | — |
| Orlando, FL | — | 209 | 143 | — | 30 | — | 34 |
| Philadelphia, PA | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | 74 | 16 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 32 | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | 74 | 28 |
| Portland, OR | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 36 |
| Sacramento, CA | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 33 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 36 |
| San Antonio, TX | — | 209 | 143 | — | 25 | — | — |
| San Diego, CA | 28 | 209 | 143 | — | 30 | — | — |
| San Francisco, CA | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 39 |
| San Jose, CA | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 39 |
| Seattle, WA | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 32 |
| St. Louis, MO | — | 209 | 143 | — | 36 | — | — |
| St. Paul, MN | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 29 |
| Tampa, FL | — | 209 | 143 | — | 28 | — | 30 |
| Tucson, AZ | 25 | 209 | 143 | — | — | — | 30 |
| Washington, DC | — | 209 | 143 | — | — | 74 | 8 |
Data effective as of post date.
Get ESPN2 with cable or satellite TV
ESPN2 is included in nearly every major cable and satellite lineup, making it easy to access no matter where you live. Most providers carry it in their standard or mid-tier TV packages, so you usually won’t need a special sports add-on to get it.
Satellite giants like DIRECTV and DISH are particularly reliable, featuring ESPN2 in their base packages nationwide. That means you likely won’t need to upgrade to a premium tier just to tune in. But since package details can change, I always recommend double-checking the specific lineup of your desired plan before signing up.
| Provider | Type | Price | ESPN2 | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $96.99–$126.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$110.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $35.00–$90.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Get ESPN2 with a live TV streaming service
If you’re streaming instead of using traditional TV, ESPN2 is widely available across major live TV platforms. Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and Stream with DIRECTV all include ESPN2 in their base packages, so you won’t need to add a separate sports tier just to access it.
For the best all-around sports experience, I often recommend DIRECTV’s streaming service for its massive channel lineups and clean interface. But Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV are also solid options, featuring unlimited DVR storage and unique content bundles.
| Provider | Type | Price | ESPN2 | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stream with DIRECTV | Streaming | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read Stream with DIRECTV review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Stream directly with ESPN Unlimited
Beyond cable and live TV streaming plans, you can stream ESPN2 directly through ESPN Unlimited. This subscription unlocks the channel, along with the full suite of ESPN networks and the entire ESPN+ library. It’s a comprehensive package for sports fans, bundling live access to the NFL, College Football Playoff, and tennis majors with studio favorites like SportsCenter and First Take.
ESPN Unlimited is accessible in the standard ESPN app, available on virtually all major streaming devices. Best of all, if you already have ESPN2 through a live TV provider, you can still log into the app with your provider credentials to stream the channel live at no extra cost.
What’s on ESPN2?
ESPN2 carries a wide mix of live sports and specialty programming that often complements what airs on ESPN. You’ll find major college football and basketball matchups, along with extensive tennis coverage from the Australian Open and U.S. Open.
It also acts as the flagship network’s primary overflow channel. When ESPN’s main schedule is jammed, ESPN2 reliably picks up the slack, ensuring you don’t miss nationally televised games or key moments during busy sports nights. You’ll even find alt-broadcasts like Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli.
Throughout the year, the channel also features sports news programs, documentary blocks, and coverage of niche leagues that don’t always get prime placement on the flagship network. If you follow college athletics or just want a second option to flip to, ESPN2 is an essential part of the rotation.
ESPN2 channel FAQ
What's the cheapest way to get ESPN2?
The cheapest way to get ESPN2 is through Sling TV's Day Pass, which includes ESPN and ESPN2. But if you want a full monthly subscription, ESPN Unlimited is the most affordable choice at $29.99/mo.
Is ESPN2 on Amazon Prime Video?
No, ESPN2 isn't available directly through Amazon Prime Video. For streaming access, you'll need an ESPN Unlimited subscription or a live TV streaming service that offers ESPN2.
Can I get ESPN2 as a standalone subscription?
Yes, you can get a standalone ESPN2 subscription by signing up for ESPN Unlimited. The streaming service costs $29.99/mo. and bundles ESPN2 with the full suite of ESPN linear channels (like ESPN and ESPNU).
