In early fall 2025, ESPN (under the Disney parent company) will roll out its highly anticipated direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platform.
The service will deliver live feeds from ESPN’s suite of channels, alongside ESPN on ABC broadcasts such as the NBA Finals and Monday Night Football.
This marks the first time ESPN’s linear networks will be available independently with no cable required.
The launch of the standalone app shows the broadcaster’s commitment to streaming-first audience growth. Disney aims to reach the millions of U.S. households not currently paying for live TV.
“We are providing everything ESPN has to offer directly to fans and all in one place,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. “As we thought about the name, we kept returning to the fact that, across every generation, ESPN is the most trusted, loved, and recognized name in sports, and that we should keep it simple and double down on the power of ESPN.”
The service will also be available in bundle packages with Disney+ and Hulu. “It will be the ultimate sports destination for personalized experiences and features,” Pitaro added. “And, on top of that, fans will be able to choose to bundle ESPN with the industry-leading Disney+ and Hulu streaming services.”
Tier 1: All‑inclusive “Unlimited” plan
ESPN plans to price this at $29.99 per month or $299 annually. The plan will grant users full access to all of ESPN’s linear channels and related digital platforms. This includes:
- Up to 47,000 live events per year, covering NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, UFC, LaLiga, golf majors, Grand Slam tennis, and more.
- Access to ESPN on ABC content, such as the NBA Finals, Monday Night Football, and marquee college football matches.
- Studio shows like SportsCenter, First Take, PTI, College GameDay, Pat McAfee Show, on-demand ESPN Originals, 30 for 30 documentaries, and more.
Tier 2: Budget‑friendly “Select” plan
At $11.99/month or $119/year, the Select plan offers everything current ESPN+ users have access to:
- More than 32,000 annual live events from UFC, niche sports, regional coverage, plus ESPN Originals.
- A curated library of on-demand shows and feature-length ESPN documentaries.
- No access to linear ESPN channels or marquee live events.
If you are an existing ESPN+ subscriber, this is the plan that will apply to your subscription when the service launches.
Bundles with Disney+ and Hulu
As mentioned earlier, ESPN will be offered within several bundled packages. They include the following, together with their prices:
- Unlimited ESPN + Disney+ (ads), + Hulu (ads) at $35.99/month.
- Unlimited ESPN + Disney+ + Hulu (all ad-free) at $44.99/month.
During the first year of the launch. There will be a promotional rate of $29.99/month for Unlimited ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu (with ads).
User experience & app enhancements
Beyond basic streaming, ESPN’s enhanced app will include:
- Sophisticated personalization: AI SportsCenter recaps for favorite teams, customizable highlights, and instant stats.
- Integrated fantasy and betting tools: Swift linkages to ESPN Bet, ticket buy-ins, and merchandise through the app.
- Multi-platform access: You will be able to consume content via ESPN’s primary app. If you are a bundle subscriber, you’ll also access it through the Disney+ hub.
How ESPN’s streaming push compares to rival
By comparison, rival broadcasters are also entering the standalone streaming market. Fox’s Fox One and NBC’s Peacock offer combined news, entertainment, and sports.
ESPN’s advantage, however, lies in its superior rights portfolio and personalization features. Keep in mind, though, that the network won’t include NFL games not airing on its own networks.
These include those exclusive to Fox, CBS, NBC, Amazon, and Netflix, which may limit their appeal if you are a hardcore football fan.
ESPN plans to finalize official launch details, including the date, later this summer. Its fall debut will coincide with the peak of the NFL and college football seasons.