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ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select: plans and price

ESPN starts at $13.99 a month in the US (ESPN Select). ESPN sells two streaming plans. ESPN Select is ESPN+ — soccer, NHL, PGA TOUR, college sports, combat sports and the ESPN Originals library. ESPN Unlimited adds every ESPN network: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SECN, ACCN, ESPN on ABC and NFL Network. Both are sold monthly or annually and stream on up to 3 devices at once.

Compare streaming servicesHow to cancel

Tomas StankevičiusChecked 2026-11-11Facts from the ESPN website and help center, with dates

What it costs

  • ESPN Select$13.99/mo
  • ESPN Unlimited$31.99/mo
All plans and termsCheck on the official website
Price per month
$13.99–$31.99
Per year from
$139.99
Shortest term
monthly
  • Every ESPN network. Unlimited includes Monday Night Football, college football and NFL Network.
  • ESPN+ in both plans. Select is simply ESPN+ under a new name; Unlimited includes it too.
  • 3 devices at once. For most content, including on-demand shows and live events, in HD.
  • Monthly or annual. Both plans cost less per month when paid yearly.
  • Bundles. With Disney+ and Hulu, with NFL+ Premium, or with FOX One.

Most important before you pay

ESPN doesn’t refund or credit partially used billing periods. Check whether your TV or internet provider already includes ESPN Unlimited — then you only need to activate it.

At a glance

Plans
ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited
Billing
Monthly or annual
Streams at once
Up to 3 for most content
Video quality
HD
Sharing
Your household only
Contract
None

Plans and offers change — check the provider’s own page before you pay.

Prices in charts

Figures from the same checked prices as the plan table.

Show plan in charts:

ESPN Select: $13.99 per month, $167.88 per year.

Fig. 1

Plan steps: what each price step adds

ESPN Select$13.99
ESPN Unlimited$31.99

Column height shows the monthly price. Between the columns: what the pricier plan adds over the cheaper one.

Fig. 2

Longer term — lower monthly price: ESPN Select

Monthly price of the same plan by billing term.

PlanPrice
1 mototal $13.99$13.99/mo
12 mototal $139.99 · −17 %$11.67/mo
ESPN SelectOur score 4,2/5
$139.99/yr

$11.67/mo

Plus sales tax where applicable

Source · Checked

Choose a plan

Billed once for the full year, up front.

Prices with dates

Every price has a source and the date it was checked.

From the ESPN website

Plans, prices and cancellation rules as plus.espn.com and support.espn.com show them from the US.

Affiliate links are labeled

If a link is an affiliate link, we say so right next to it.

Short summary

ESPN Unlimited is the first way to get every ESPN network without cable — Monday Night Football, college football, the NBA and NFL Network. ESPN Select is the cheaper plan for ESPN+ fans: soccer, NHL, golf and college sports, but not the main ESPN channels. Before you pay, check your TV or internet provider: many packages already include ESPN Unlimited.

All ESPN networks without cable

Unlimited includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN on ABC, SECN, ACCN and NFL Network.

Select isn’t the ESPN channel

It’s ESPN+ content only; the big games on ESPN need Unlimited.

Our top pick:
Fans of the NFL, college football and the NBA who don’t have ESPN through a TV provider.
With caveats:
Anyone who already pays for cable or a live TV service — ESPN Unlimited may already be included.

Who ESPN is for, and who it isn’t

Choose the plan by which games you watch.

A good choice

  • If you want the ESPN channels without cable

    Unlimited has Monday Night Football, college football, the NBA and NFL Network.

  • If you follow soccer, hockey or golf

    Select (ESPN+) covers top-tier soccer, NHL, PGA TOUR and college sports.

  • If you also watch Disney+ or Hulu

    The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN bundles combine them in one payment.

A weaker choice

  • If your TV package already includes ESPN

    Many providers include ESPN Unlimited — activate it instead of paying twice.

  • If you want local broadcast channels

    ESPN doesn’t carry CBS, FOX or NBC.

  • If you share an account with family elsewhere

    ESPN allows sharing within your household only.

Two plans

Prices are in the block above.

Two plans
ESPN SelectWhat it means in practiceESPN+ content only: more than 30,000 live events across college sports, international soccer, golf, tennis and combat sports, plus the ESPN Originals library. Former ESPN+ subscribers were moved to this plan.
ESPN UnlimitedWhat it means in practiceEverything in Select plus ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SECN, ACCN, ESPN on ABC, SECN+, ACCNX and NFL Network — Monday Night Football, college football and the College Football Playoff, NBA, WNBA and WWE Premium Live Events.
BundlesWhat it means in practiceDisney+, Hulu and ESPN (with Select or Unlimited), NFL+ Premium bundles, ESPN + FOX One, and MLB.TV as an add-on to Unlimited.

Soccer, hockey, golf and college sports → Select; the main ESPN channels and the NFL → Unlimited.

Our score and what it’s made of

This is our own assessment based on checked facts. It isn’t an average of user reviews or the provider’s claim. Below you’ll find every criterion with its weight and source.

4,3

out of 5 · average of 2 plans · 8 of 12 criteria checked

The score is calculated from the criteria you see below: each criterion shows its weight, what exactly we found and where. Where we have the provider’s page, there’s a link with a check date; where the number comes from our catalog, we say so. “Not found” means we didn’t find the data and the criterion isn’t counted. “Provider doesn’t say” means we went through the provider’s pages but the information isn’t there; that criterion isn’t counted either. If you disagree with the weights, the methodology shows all the parts, so you can weigh them your own way. App store ratings are shown only as text, and we don’t pass them to search engines as our own rating.

Scores for individual plans: ESPN Select 4,2 · ESPN Unlimited 4,3

The same for all ESPN plans

Criteria that are the same for all of this provider’s plans
CriterionWhat we foundScoreSource
Content you can’t get for free(18 %)content only with a subscription5,0our catalog
Fit for US viewers(15 %)US channels, network libraries and local originals5,0source
Advertised price is the final price(10 %)sales tax is added at checkout3,0our catalog
Free way to try it(10 %)provider doesn’t say—source
Maximum resolution(7 %)4K UHD (HDR not for all content)4,0our catalog
Simultaneous streams(5 %)3 screens at the same time4,0our catalog
Offline viewing(7 %)provider doesn’t say—source
Profiles(4 %)provider doesn’t say—source
App rating(3 %)4,6 out of 54,6our catalog
Spatial audio and HDR(2 %)provider doesn’t say—source

Depends on plan

Criteria that differ between plans
CriterionESPN SelectESPN Unlimited
Price compared with others(10 %)11,67 USD/mo5,026,67 USD/mo5,0
What else is included(9 %)the catalog only2,01 extra content type at no extra cost3,0

Availability in the US

The final price in the US is clear

You pay in dollars, and the price is the one the provider lists — sales tax, where your state charges it, is added at checkout.

  • price in dollars
  • tax terms are known
  • shared international price list — the price depends on your account’s country

Content

What you actually get to watch: catalog, languages, sports and events.

What ESPN streaming is, and what it isn’t

ESPN streaming is ESPN’s own direct-to-consumer service in the ESPN app — live events, studio shows like SportsCenter, and originals such as 30 for 30. It isn’t a full live TV bundle.

  • Live sports

    NFL, college football and basketball, NBA, WNBA, NHL, soccer, golf, tennis and more, depending on the plan.

  • Studio shows

    SportsCenter, College GameDay and First Take on Unlimited.

  • Originals

    ESPN Originals, 30 for 30 and E60.

ESPN content also appears in the Disney+ app if your ESPN subscription is linked.

Switching between ESPN Select and Unlimited

Switch plans in your ESPN account under Manage Subscription. The timing depends on the direction.

Select → Unlimited

Takes effect immediately; you pay a prorated amount for the first month or year of the new plan.

Unlimited → Select

Takes effect on your next billing date.

Annual → monthly

Takes effect on your next billing date; once charged for an annual plan, you can’t switch to monthly right away.

Disney+ bundles

Bundle plans are managed through Disney+; changing the plan ends any current promotion or price hold.

Upgrading is instant; downgrading waits for the next billing date.

ESPN Unlimited through your TV provider

ESPN Unlimited may be included at no extra charge in some plans from Cox, DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Spectrum TV, U-verse, Verizon Fios, Xfinity and YouTube TV. You activate it by linking your MyDisney login.

How to activate

Through the provider’s link or by signing in to the ESPN app with the provider.

If you leave the provider

Your ESPN access through it is canceled under the provider’s terms.

Check your provider before buying ESPN Unlimited on its own.

How the ESPN app rates on the US App Store

On October 23, 2026, the ESPN app had 4.7 out of 5 stars from about 4.18 million ratings on the US App Store. The app is also used for free scores and news, so the rating covers more than the paid plans.

What the number covers

The iPhone and iPad app over its lifetime, including free features.

How to use it

Sign in for free first and check the app on your own devices before you subscribe.

A very large and strong rating, but not a rating of the subscription itself.

Quality and devices

What picture and sound depend on, and where it works.

Where you can watch

Where you can watch
TVs and streaming playersExamplesRoku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, LG, Samsung and Vizio smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, Xfinity and Xumo devicesCaveatLive, rewind or replay on up to 3 devices at once, in HD.
Phones, tablets and the webExamplesiPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, ESPN.comCaveatSign in with the same MyDisney login on every device.

App ratings in the stores

These are ratings from store users. They rate how the app works; they say nothing about whether the subscription price is fair.

App Store

iOS and iPadOS
4,6out of 5

4,190,069 ratings

Source

Ratings change constantly and often drop after price increases or removed features. We show the value from the check date together with the number of reviews, because 4.8 from two hundred and 4.5 from two million ratings aren’t the same thing.

Account and household

Profiles, downloads, sharing and how to cancel.

Sharing and streams

  • Up to 3 devices can stream at once for most content, including live events.
  • You may not share your subscription outside your household.
  • ESPN Select and Unlimited use your MyDisney login, the same as Disney+ and Hulu.

Household means one home

ESPN defines a household as the devices at your primary personal residence used by the people who live there.

Live, replays and providers

Live, replays and providers
LiveHow it worksRewind or replay on up to 3 devices
Video qualityHow it worksHD
Through a TV providerHow it worksUnlimited may be included — activate it
If you cancel or switch away from an eligible TV provider plan, ESPN access through it ends too.

Canceling

ESPN has no contract: you pay monthly or for a year up front, and you can cancel any time. Cancel where you’re billed — in your ESPN account if you bought from ESPN, or with Apple, Google, Roku or another partner if you bought there.

Monthly or annual

Access lasts to the end of the billing cycle; no refunds or credits for partial periods.

Through a TV provider or app store

Manage and cancel with the partner that bills you.

Your ESPN account stays

Canceling doesn’t delete your ESPN account — you can still sign in and use the free parts of the app.

Separate page: how to cancel this subscription →

Streams, sharing and timing

The ESPN rules that catch people out.

Streams, sharing and timing
Streams at onceLimitUp to 3What it depends onFor most content, including live events
SharingLimitYour household onlyWhat it depends onDevices at your primary residence
Downgrade to SelectLimitNext billing dateWhat it depends onUpgrades apply immediately with a prorated charge
RefundsLimitNone for partial periodsWhat it depends onAccess continues to the end of the cycle

Bundles are watched separately

In bundles, each service’s content is accessed separately — and NFL+ Premium’s live local and primetime games are on phones and tablets only.

What we don’t claim

Common claims about ESPN streaming, next to what ESPN says.

  • ESPN+ was discontinued.

    No. ESPN+ content is now sold as ESPN Select and is also part of ESPN Unlimited; existing ESPN+ subscribers were moved to Select.

  • ESPN Select includes the ESPN channel.

    No — Select is ESPN+ content only. ESPN, ESPN2 and the other networks need Unlimited.

  • You need a cable subscription to watch ESPN.

    Not anymore — ESPN Unlimited is sold directly, without a TV provider.

This list isn’t an accusation against the service. If you find something on our page that doesn’t match the official source, write to us.

When ESPN streaming is a good choice

  • NFL and college football

    Unlimited: Monday Night Football, SEC, ACC, Big 12 and the College Football Playoff.

    Compromise: Select doesn’t include them.

  • Soccer, hockey, golf

    Select (ESPN+) covers them at a lower price.

    Compromise: No ESPN channel studio shows.

  • With Disney+ and Hulu

    The bundles combine all three in one payment.

    Compromise: Managed through Disney+.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Every ESPN network

    On Unlimited, without cable.

  • Annual plans

    Cheaper than paying monthly.

  • 3 streams

    For most content.

Cons

  • No refunds

    For partially used periods.

  • Select is ESPN+ only

    Not the ESPN channels.

  • Household-only sharing

    Per ESPN’s rules.

Per year: ESPN and alternatives

Price of the cheapest paid plan for 12 months as the provider lists it; below it, with VAT where VAT is not included. Bar length is the price with VAT.

ServicePrice
Netflix$107.88
Amazon Prime Video$107.88
HBO Max$109.99
ESPNthis page$139.99
Disney+$149.88
YouTube Premium$159.99

ESPN compared with FOX One and YouTube TV

Two sports services and a full live TV service.

ESPN compared with FOX One and YouTube TV
What you getESPNESPN networks and ESPN+FOX OneFOX networks onlyYouTube TV100+ channels with locals
Monday Night FootballESPNUnlimitedFOX OneNoYouTube TVYes
Streams at onceESPNUp to 3FOX OneNot publishedYouTube TV3
Annual planESPNYesFOX OneYesYouTube TVNot listed
ContractESPNNoneFOX OneNoneYouTube TVNone

If you follow ESPN sports

Unlimited for the ESPN channels, Select for ESPN+.

If you follow FOX sports and news — FOX One

Also sold with ESPN in one bundle.

If you want cable without the box — YouTube TV

ESPN, FOX and the other networks in one service.

Final verdict

ESPN Unlimited finally sells every ESPN network without cable; ESPN Select keeps ESPN+ for fans who don’t need the main channels. Pay yearly if you watch all year, and check your TV provider first — you may already have Unlimited.

Choose it if

You want Monday Night Football, college football or the NBA without a TV package.

Think twice if

You already pay for cable or a live TV service that may include ESPN Unlimited.

Skip it if

You want local channels and many networks — a live TV service fits better.

FOX One covers FOX’s sports and news and is bundled with ESPN; YouTube TV and other live TV services include ESPN among many channels.

ESPN prices

Two ESPN plans as the ESPN help center lists them, monthly and annual.

Bundles

ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited are sold monthly or for a year up front; the annual plans cost less than twelve monthly payments. Bundles with Disney+ and Hulu, NFL+ Premium or FOX One are priced separately. ESPN says subscribers who joined before August 20, 2026 kept their previous price until their first billing date after September 17, 2026.

How to cancel

ESPN deals and discounts

We have no confirmed deals or promo codes for ESPN right now. When the provider publishes one and we have checked it, the dates and terms will appear here — we never list made-up promo codes.

Track price and deals

ESPN free trial

We found no free trial for ESPN on the provider’s website right now. If one appears, we will mark it here and in the free trials list.

All free trials

How to pay less for ESPN

  • Annual billing for “ESPN Select”: $139.99 for 12 months instead of $167.88 if you pay monthly — you save 17%.
  • Annual billing for “ESPN Unlimited”: $319.99 for 12 months instead of $383.88 if you pay monthly — you save 17%.

Compare the price with alternatives: Disney+ price · HBO Max price · Netflix price

We only show the provider’s official options — no shared accounts and no region switching.

Related articles

What subscribers complain about: a study of 26,598 reviewsStudent Discounts on Streaming and Subscriptions in the US (2026)Which Streaming Services Have Local Channels? ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC (2026)

FAQ

It’s worth it if you want Monday Night Football, college football or the NBA without a TV package. Think twice if your cable or live TV service may already include ESPN Unlimited. Skip it if you want many networks — a live TV service fits better.

Select is ESPN+ content only. Unlimited adds ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SECN, ACCN, ESPN on ABC, SECN+, ACCNX and NFL Network.

No. ESPN+ content is sold as ESPN Select and included in Unlimited. Existing ESPN+ subscribers became Select subscribers with the same content.

ESPN Unlimited launched on August 21, 2025 at $29.99 a month. On August 20, 2026 the price changed for new subscribers; ESPN says those who joined earlier kept their previous price until their first billing date after September 17, 2026.

ESPN doesn’t list a free trial for Select or Unlimited. New subscribers who buy MLB.TV get one month of ESPN Unlimited free.

Up to 3 devices for most content, including live events — within your household only.

Possibly. Some plans from Cox, DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Spectrum TV, U-verse, Verizon Fios, Xfinity and YouTube TV include it — you activate it with your MyDisney login.

Yes — Disney+, Hulu and ESPN bundles exist with Select or Unlimited, and they’re managed through Disney+.

ESPN’s plans and prices page lists monthly and annual ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited, with no student discount.

It depends on who charges you: Apple, Google, your carrier or TV provider, or the service itself. The guide walks through each channel step by step. How to cancel a subscription

How we work

This page is a comparison, and for every claim we say where it comes from.

The provider’s sources

The facts come from the ESPN website (plus.espn.com) and the ESPN help center (support.espn.com).

We keep prices out of the text

Prices are in the price block, in the currency of the provider’s price list, with a source and a date.

How we check the data

If anything on this page has gone out of date, write to us — we’ll fix it and note the date.

The order in the comparison is decided by the type of service; commission size doesn’t affect it.

Some links to providers are affiliate links: if you subscribe through them, we may earn a commission. It affects neither the price nor the placement in the comparison. Affiliate links are always labeled next to the link itself.

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We compare the regular monthly price after promotions and free trials.

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