How Much Does ESPN Plus Cost?

Last Updated on December 7, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

For sports fans seeking convenient access to live games, original programming, and archive content outside of cable TV, ESPN+ has quickly become a popular streaming option. But navigating the array of ESPN+ subscription plans, add-ons, and bundle packages can make determining the true cost tricky.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the latest pricing details across all ESPN+ offerings from standard subscriptions to pay-per-view events and special bundling promotions. You’ll learn how factors like package selection, account sharing allowances, and seasonal promotional offers can all play into the overall expense.

Whether you want unlimited UFC fight access or just extra coverage of niche college sports, understanding ESPN+ costs in detail ensures you can pick the ideal plan based on your viewership habits and budget.

How Much Does ESPN Plus Cost?

The cost of ESPN+ ranges from a minimum of $9.99 per month when paying annually for just the base subscription plan up to $120 per month for multiple premium add-ons like pay-per-view events and ad-free channel bundles. Most subscribers can expect to pay between $20 to $40 per month for a plan with some level of bundled services included.

ESPN+ offers great consumer flexibility through different pricing tiers tailored to varied needs and budgets:

• Monthly Subscription – $11.99 per month with no long-term contract required, allowing subscribers to cancel anytime.
• Annual Subscription – $119.99 per year, equivalent to just $9.99 per month, representing savings of $24 annually versus going month-to-month.
• Pay-Per-View – Up to $84.99 for premium live UFC fight events accessible through ESPN+ on top of the standard subscription.

Recent hikes pushed the monthly subscription fee from $9.99 up to the current $11.99, significantly raising costs for non-annual subscribers unwilling to commit to long-term plans.

According to an article from How to Stream, the monthly subscription for ESPN Plus is priced at approximately $11.99, while an annual subscription costs around $119.99, offering a savings of about 15% compared to the monthly plan. This pricing allows access to all ESPN Plus content, including live sports and original programming.

Another source, Business Insider, confirms that the monthly cost is set at $12, with annual subscriptions available for $120. They also mention a limited-time deal where annual plans can be purchased for as low as $100, which represents a significant discount compared to the standard pricing.

A report from Sportsnaut outlines similar pricing, stating that ESPN Plus offers a monthly plan for $11.99 and an annual plan for $119.99. They emphasize that subscribing annually not only provides savings but also allows fans to access a wide range of live sports events, including UFC, MLB, NHL, and more.

According to an overview from ESPN Support, the subscription options include a monthly fee of $10.99 and an annual fee of approximately $109.99. They also highlight that subscribers can enjoy simultaneous streaming on up to five devices, making it convenient for families or groups.

Lastly, an article from CNET discusses the various bundle options available with ESPN Plus, including a package that combines Disney Plus and Hulu for around $16.99 per month. This bundle provides access to all three services at a discounted rate compared to subscribing separately.

What Is ESPN+

First launched in April 2018, ESPN+ provides digital subscribers access to an extensive lineup of live sports coverage and on-demand programming not available through mainstream cable TV packages. Some important features include:

• Live streams of out-of-market MLB, NHL, Bundesliga soccer, PGA Tour golf, college sports and thousands more niche live events.
• An extensive on-demand archive of classic games, sports films, analyst shows, and original series.
• Highly popular originals like Peyton’s Places, Eli’s Places, Dana White’s Contender Series, 30 for 30 documentaries, and an array of other exclusive sports-centric programming.

ESPN+ experienced rapid growth, skyrocketing from just over 2 million subscribers at launch to exceeding 22 million. But the array of programming options contributes to a complex pricing structure.

You might also like our articles on the cost of subscriptions for Peacock, Fubo TV, or Amazon Prime.

Bundle Packages and Deals

Bundling an ESPN+ membership together with other Disney-owned streaming services using promo offers creates substantial cost savings:

• The Disney Bundle Duo Basic – Disney+ bundled with ESPN+ for a combined rate of just $13.99 per month, allowing savings of about $6 per month versus buying each service individually.
• The Disney Bundle Trio Basic – Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu with ads bundled together for $16.99 per month, equaling over $13 in monthly savings compared to stand-alone plans.
• The Disney Bundle Trio Premium – Same three services but upgraded to ad-free Hulu, all for $26.99 per month and even greater potential savings especially for larger families or groups splitting the cost.

These bundle options provide a flexible and cost-effective way to gain access to a far broader range of top-tier sports, entertainment and original programming content all under a single simplified bill.

Sports, Original Shows, and Device Support

All ESPN+ subscription plans and bundles provide subscribers access to:

• Extensive live sports including thousands of out-of-market NHL, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga, La Liga, and UEFA matches, every UFC Fight Night event, over 1,000 college sporting events across 20+ sports annually, PGA Tour golf majors, Grand Slam tennis, exclusive boxing cards, and much more. New live games and events added daily.
• Original shows and films including all ESPN+ Originals like Peyton’s Places, Eli’s Places, Man in the Arena, zigged, Our Time, SEC Storied, and 30 for 30 documentaries spanning over 200 titles available exclusively to subscribers.
• Massive on-demand archive containing replays of recent live games and events, a vast back catalog of classic sports films, shows, and programming available for streaming anytime.
• Broad device support – Apps available across all major mobile and TV platforms including iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, Smart TVs and more. Download the ESPN app to start watching.

ESPN+ Ads

While short advertisements are unavoidably featured during live ESPN+ game and event streaming, subscribers can access completely ad-free sports and entertainment content through:

• Disney+, which offers an entirely ad-free environment as part of any Disney streaming bundle.
• The Hulu Premium add-on available for $6 extra per month within Disney Bundle packages, granting unlimited ad-free access to Hulu’s broad on-demand library.

The ultimate trade-off boils down to either tolerating promotional interruptions in exchange for significantly more included content at a lower overall package cost, or absorbing a higher price tag to enjoy an uninterrupted ad-free viewing experience.

ESPN+ vs Other Sports Streaming Services

Compared to full-scale cable TV replacements like FuboTV, Hulu Live or Sling TV – ESPN+ shines for its much lower $11.99 per month cost but cannot match their total breadth of live sports and entertainment channels. It remains superior for fans primarily wanting access to otherwise unavailable niche live events.

Services like Peacock Premium or Paramount+ also provide select exclusive live sports along with their general entertainment libraries, typically for under $10 monthly. But ESPN+ again differentiates itself by delivering access to a substantially wider range of in-demand major sports properties.

Overall, ESPN+ continues to offer excellent value in its niche for fans highly focused on convenient access to live out-of-market sporting events not available through their regular cable package rather than necessarily needing a complete cable replacement.

Minimize Your Costs

ESPN+ subscribers can take full advantage of various techniques to maximize value and entertainment while minimizing the pricing:

• Opting for the annual plan at a 16% reduction off monthly rates if you foresee using ESPN+ long-term.
• Adding ESPN+ to Disney bundle promotions that offer major multi-service discounts versus individual plans.
• Splitting a subscription across multiple households or groups of friends/family to share costs, fully allowable under the ESPN+ Terms of Use.
• Initially selecting the ad-supported Disney Bundle if willing to tolerate commercials in order to receive the lowest pricing. You can always upgrade to ad-free later on.

Future of ESPN+ Pricing

Looking ahead, media industry analysts widely expect to see gradual but steady ESPN+ price increases over the next 3-5 years as Disney continues acquiring additional high-value sports rights to further boost its content portfolio.

However, experts also predict continued expansion of the popular multi-service Disney Bundle promotions as the company pursues a subscriber growth over revenue maximization strategy in the near-term. This should help cushion rising costs for existing bundle members to some degree.

But regular incremental inflationary subscription increases paired with major new sports like NFL Sunday Ticket being added down the road now appear nearly inevitable from a long-term pricing outlook perspective as this streamer evolves.

Insider Recommendations

“Bundles that include Disney+ and Hulu provide the best overall value.” – Andrew S., Streaming Industry Analyst

“Compare adding ESPN+ mid-contract to lower costs if you already pay for Disney+.” – Jessica P., Tech Blogger

“Don’t overpay monthly when annual plans offer substantial discounts.” – David R., Subscription Services Editor

Final Words

ESPN+ retains its undisputed leadership position in providing affordable access to an unmatched breadth of live sports starting at just a $9.99 monthly cost with annual plans. Savvy subscribers can take full advantage of bundling opportunities and account sharing allowances to maximize their streaming entertainment while minimizing the overall expense.

Answers to Common Questions

Is ESPN+ worth it?

For avid sports fans seeking convenient access to live games not available on cable, ESPN+ provides tremendous value. But those wanting local team coverage or a cable replacement should look to packages like FuboTV instead.

How many can use ESPN Plus?

Yes, an ESPN+ account can be shared by multiple people in the same household. Up to 3 simultaneous streams are allowed based on the ESPN+ terms of service.

How do I manage my ESPN+ subscription?

You can update ESPN+ subscription plans, billing details, and account settings by accessing your account online or through the ESPN app. Changing plans or adding bundle services can be done with just a few clicks.