ESPN Unlimited vs Sling TV vs Fubo vs YouTube TV vs DirecTV: Best Value for ESPN3 April 2026
 | ESPN Unlimited | $29.99/mo |
 | Sling Orange | $45.99/mo |
 | Fubo Pro (and above) | $73.99/mo |
| YouTube TV Base Plan | $82.99/mo | |
 | DirecTV Entertainment (and above) | $89.99/mo |
GOAL Recommends: Sling Orange remains the "purist's" choice for ESPN3. It is the only service on this list that actually lists ESPN3 as a channel inside its own app. This means you don't have to leave the Sling app to watch ESPN3 broadcasts, which is much more mobile-friendly for users who hate switching between different apps.
| Service | ESPN3 in Guide | Unlimited Access | Mobile Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN Unlimited | ✅ (Native) | Included | Zero-latency feed |
| Sling TV | ✅ (Orange) | ✅ (Auth. req.) | One-app viewing |
| YouTube TV | ❌ | ⚠️ (Fall 2026) | Library Sync |
| Fubo | ❌ | ✅ (Auth. req.) | FanView Stats |
| DIRECTV | ❌ | ✅ (Auth. req.) | SignalSaver™ |
What is coming up on ESPN3 in April 2026?
In April 2026, ESPN3, now fully integrated into the "ESPN Unlimited" digital tier following its 2025 rebranding, serves as the high-volume hub for collegiate spring sports and exclusive "Alt-Cast" postseason coverage. The month is anchored by the Women’s Final Four (April 3 and 5), where the platform hosts the Courtside alternate broadcast, featuring real-time analysis from WNBA stars and celebrity guests alongside the primary ESPN feed. Simultaneously, the digital schedule is dominated by College Baseball and Softball "overflow" games, including marquee matchups like LSU at Tennessee and Rutgers at Nebraska that aren't featured on the linear networks. Fans of niche and Olympic sports can tune in for comprehensive coverage of the Knecht Cup Regatta (April 11–12) and a heavy rotation of Big South and MAAC conference lacrosse and track & field championships. While the standalone "ESPN3" brand has officially been sunset, this digital space remains the essential destination for "scout-view" replays of The Masters and the deep-bench international soccer fixtures that fill the gaps between the major network windows.
What is the ESPN3 channel?
ESPN3 is dedicated digital sports channel that offers a huge amount of live and on-demand sporting events, with exclusive college sports, soccer, tennis and golf. While the channel isn't advertised on many streaming provider channel lists, you'll need to log in to access the channel and its content digitally, providing you are subscribed to the ESPN channel within your TV plan.
Where can I watch it for free?
You can watch the ESPN3 channel for free through all of Fubo's or DirecTV's plans, as they both have a free trial for new customers. All you need to do is make sure your existing plan includes the ESPN channel, then log in to the ESPN app or related TV app with, for example, your Fubo details to gain access.
READ MORE: How to get a five-day free pass with Fubo
It's also available on Sling TV Orange or Orange & Blue plans, accessing the channel digitally the same way as above.
How much does it cost?
You can see all the packages that offer the ESPN3 channel below, essentially it's the ones that have the ESPN channel included.
| Provider | First month | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fubo Sports | $45.99 | $55.99 |
| Fubo Pro | $54.99 | $84.99 |
| Fubo Elite with Sports Plus | $74.99 | $104.99 |
| Fubo Deluxe | $84.99 | $114.99 |
| DirecTV Entertainment | $49.99 | $89.99 |
| DirecTV Choice | $59.99 | $94.99 |
| DirecTV Ultimate | $84.99 | $124.99 |
| DirecTV Premier | $124.99 | $169.99 |
| Sling TV Orange | n/a | $45.99 |
| Sling TV Orange & Blue | n/a | $60.99 |
If you are out of the country and would like to watch upcoming ESPN3 channel content on your favoured streaming service, you can do so by bypassing geo-restrictions by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
READ MORE: The best VPNs for streaming soccer and sports in 2025