ESPN Unlimited vs Sling TV vs Fubo vs YouTube TV vs DirecTV: Best Value for ESPN3 March 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 March 2026?
By March 2026, ESPN3 has been officially discontinued as a standalone digital channel, with its content fully integrated into the ESPN App (specifically under the ESPN+ and the new ESPN Unlimited tiers). However, the "ESPN3-style" programming, niche sports and overflow college coverage, is busier than ever this month. The platform is the primary home for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, with live coverage of the Opening Ceremony on March 8 and daily figure skating and speed skating events through March 14. Additionally, "Champ Week" remains a massive draw, with the app hosting hundreds of exclusive early-round games from mid-major conferences like the Horizon League, Sun Belt, and Big South that don't make it to the linear networks. For baseball fans, the app is also the exclusive home for over 250 out-of-market MLB Spring Training games throughout the month.
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