ESPN's new streaming service options: Everything you need to know about Unlimited and Select subscriptions and the sports app rebrand

The cable-cutting revolution is well and truly here. More and more people all over the United States are now opting to get rid of their cable TV and instead move to the TV streaming sector. And with ESPN launching their revamped standalone streaming service subscription in August 2025, it's another step closer to the streaming industry winning the TV provider battle. 

To watch the best sports events, people are willing to pay TV premiums for it, but they want value for money. Nowadays they want an easy interface, the smoothest app experience and streaming product to watch the right sports network that features their team.

The moment feels historic, a bit like watching the Berlin Wall crumble, only for the benefit of sports fans and how we watch live sports and events. For decades, we've been held hostage by fixed term contracts from the cable companies, told which bundles to pic from, paying for dozens of channels we never watched just to catch our favorite teams. 

Well now, ESPN has shattered those chains and evolved their own sports centric app from being called ESPN+ to simply ESPN. For clarity, ESPN+ still exists, now serving as ESPN's basic package, with a premium option now added to the mix. We've already seen how Netflix revolutionized entertainment and how Disney+ transformed family viewing, but sports remained cable's ace in the hole. ESPN's latest direct-to-consumer launch changes everything, giving sports lovers a better entertainment experience and appealing pricing plan.

ESPN

So sit back and allow GOAL to walk you through exactly what's changed, the flexible plans available and why we're no longer calling the service ESPN+ (now consolidated into a lower tier and will be explained below).

ESPN's two-tier streaming service

ESPN's slightly rebranded direct-to-consumer streaming model launched on August 21, 2025. The sports giant is now offering two distinct plans designed to cater to different viewing habits and budgets. These consist of ESPN Select (formerly what ESPN+ was in its entirety), which becomes the more affordable of the two plans. ESPN Unlimited, the newest premium plan, offers subscribers more live content and an increased selection of channels for a higher monthly price.

Below are the two tiers of subscriptions you can pick from, detailing what each does and does not offer to customers. As you can see, the pricing reflects ESPN's strategy to capture both cord-cutters seeking comprehensive sports coverage and budget-conscious fans wanting premium digital content without traditional TV channels.

ESPN Select vs ESPN Unlimited

As far as subscription TV bundles go, ESPN's remains simple, offering streaming deals monthly and annually, with two bundling options.  

What you get with each tier

Both tiers give customers a healthy selection of sports programming, but the difference lies in access to "Linear TV" events versus "Digital Only" events.

ESPN Unlimited delivers the complete package. It includes everything in the Select plan, plus the 15,000 premium live events that air on ESPN's traditional TV channels.

It is critical to note that the biggest sporting events are exclusive to ESPN Unlimited. You generally cannot watch the following on the cheaper Select plan:

• NFL: Monday Night Football and the NFL Draft
• NBA: Live regular season and playoff games
• College Football: Major games airing on ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, and ACC Network (including the College Football Playoff)
• Studio Shows: First Take, Get Up, and SportsCenter (live)

ESPN Select(formerly ESPN+) focuses on digital-first content. While it includes an impressive 32,000 live events yearly, these are primarily:

• NHL: Out-of-market games
• Soccer: LALIGA, Bundesliga and English FA Cup
• NCAA: Lower-tier college sports and events not airing on TV
• Golf & Tennis: PGA Tour Live and early-round tennis coverage

So, if you need to watch Monday Night Football or your favorite team's primetime NBA game, you must choose ESPN Unlimited. Select will not provide access to these broadcasts. 

READ MORE: NFL on TV Today: Schedule, TV channels, live streaming & key match-ups

Tech spec

Both plans utilize the existing ESPN app infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration across whichever devices you're using. Here, we're getting enhanced StreamCenter functionality, allowing simultaneous viewing of multiple games with customizable layouts.

Sports available on ESPN Unlimited

In case you are unsure what to expect, here is a list of all the action they'll show from various sports leagues, including live ties and OD content, that you can watch via your chosen ESPN subscription.

Which soccer competitions are missing from ESPN Unlimited?

While ESPN Unlimited is the home of LaLiga and Bundesliga, it does not hold the rights to several of the world's most popular competitions. Because these rights are held by rival networks (NBC, CBS, and Apple), you will need separate subscriptions to watch them. Below is where you find the major missing leagues.

	Premier League	Peacock
	UEFA Champions League	Paramount+
	MLS (Major League Soccer)	Apple TV
	Serie A	Paramount+
	Ligue 1	Fubo USA
	Saudi Pro League	Fubo USA

Notable WWE addition starting in 2026

ESPN has recently secured rights to WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) content, which includes the sport's most famous night in the calendar—WrestleMania. It'll also show Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. These WWE events will be exclusive to both of ESPN's tiers.

Disney and ESPN bundle breakdown

ESPN

Disney's bundle strategy has also reshaped the streaming landscape in an attempt to capture market share through compelling value of streaming bundles that can make other standalone subscriptions seem overpriced. 

Here is what you can bundle together when it comes to a Disney and ESPN combo packaged with Hulu.

*First 12 months promotional pricing

Integration benefits

• Unified account management: Single login across all platforms
• Cross-platform content discovery: Seamless browsing between Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN content
• Enhanced recommendations: Algorithm learns from viewing habits across all services
• Streamlined billing: One monthly charge instead of multiple subscriptions

The death of cable and rise of cord-cutting platforms?

ESPN has served as cable television's golden handcuffs for decades. The sports giant has been the primary reason millions kept their traditional pay-TV subscriptions, even as streaming alternatives proliferated. But this dynamic is fundamentally shifting.

The numbers tell a stark story too. Cable subscriptions have plummeted from 100 million households in 2010 to roughly 68 million today—a devastating 32% decline. Meanwhile, ESPN+ was able to capture 24.9 million subscribers before launching direct-to-consumer, proving massive appetite exists for standalone sports streaming.

ESPN's streaming pivot represents cable's death knell because sports programming was cable's final differentiator. Without exclusive sports content forcing subscription retention, traditional pay-TV loses its value proposition entirely.

The implications are profound: cable operators will struggle to justify premium pricing without marquee sports content, accelerating subscriber exodus. Meanwhile, streaming services gain the content crown jewel that transforms casual viewers into committed subscribers.

This isn't just cord-cutting evolution, it's the complete restructuring of how Americans consume television.

Sports streaming competition

The launch of ESPN Unlimited along with the new NBA media rights deal that splits between Amazon, NBC / Peacock and ESPN has further fragmented where major sports live. Away from the comprehensive packages available from the likes of Fubo and DirecTV, here are how the budget (sub $20) streaming services compare.

ESPN versus major competitors

ESPN and its competition's key features

+ Exclusive Content Advantages: ESPN dominates college athletics and combat sports, while Amazon secures NFL exclusivity. Apple's MLS partnership and Netflix's sports documentaries create unique niches. Disney's ESPN integration gives them unmatched sports infrastructure.

- Technology Features: Amazon leads with X-Ray statistics and multi-angle viewing. Apple TV+ offers 4K HDR standard across all content. ESPN provides comprehensive fantasy integration and real-time scores.

ESPN Unlimited vs. Venu Sports: What's the difference?

If you are searching for the "all-in-one" sports app that was promised in 2024, you might be confusing ESPN Unlimited with Venu Sports. It is crucial to know that these are two different things - and one of them no longer exists.

• ESPN Unlimited (Available Now): This is Disney's standalone streaming service. It only includes channels owned by Disney (ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, ACC Network, ABC Sports). It does not include Fox, FS1, TNT, or TBS.
• Venu Sports (Cancelled): This was a proposed "super bundle" joint venture between Disney, Fox, and Warner Brothers. Discovery (TNT). It was scheduled to launch in 2024 but was blocked by the courts and officially discontinued in January 2025. 

The Bottom LIne: You cannot sign up for Venu Sports. If you want a streaming bundle that mimics the Venu concept (ESPN + Fox), you can purchase the ESPN Unlimited + Fox One bundle (approximately $39.99 / month), but be aware that this bundle still excludes TNT and TBS, meaning you will NBA games broadcast on Warner Bros. Discovery channels.

Does ESPN Unlimited include Pay-Per-View (PPV)?

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The short answer: No. In fact, the "Pay-Per-View" value proposition of ESPN has changed drastically for 2026. 

1. The UFC Update: You cannot watch UFC Pay-Per-Views on ESPN Unlimited. As of 2026, UFC rights have moved exclusively to Paramount+.
   • Where to watch: You must now subscribe to Paramount+ to watch UFC PPVs.
   • The Good News: Paramount+ has reportedly abolished the separate PPV fee, meaning all UFC fights are included in their standard subscription.
   • The Bad News for ESPN subscribers: The $29.99 ESPN Unlimited plan no longer gives you access to the Octagon.
2. Boxing & Other Events: For sports that remain on ESPN (such as Top Rank Boxing) the "Unlimited" subscription does not include the cost of the Pay-Per-View event itself.
   • How it works: Your $29.99 subscription grants you the platform access required to purchase the fight. You will still need to pay the one-off fee to watch a major title fight.
3. The Exception - WWE: While UFC has left, WWE Premium Live Events (like Wrestlemania and Royal Rumble) have moved to ESPN Unlimited. Unlike traditional PPV, these events are included in your $29.99 month fee at no extra cost.

Making the switch to ESPN

If you think ESPN will provide the best coverage and a more affordable solution for you, then consider the following before signing up.

• Evaluate your current sports viewing habits - which types of sports you watch will depend on the provider to go with.
• Compare costs between cable packages and streaming options - make sure it's within your budget.
• Test your internet speed (minimum 25 Mbps recommended) - there's a strong chance your internet speed will be fine, but run a speed test just to make sure.
• Download the ESPN app and explore the interface - when you are ready, head over to the ESPN website HERE to sign up to either the Select or Unlimited plan, enter your details and credit card information, and away you go!

Note: If you are already subscribed to ESPN+, you will automatically be moved to the ESPN Select plan, with the option to upgrade. The same applies if you have signed up with the Disney+ and Hulu bundle too.

Why should I pick ESPN?

ESPN

The winner of who gets your hard earned cash depends on your sports preferences: ESPN for comprehensive coverage, Amazon for NFL fans, Apple for soccer enthusiasts. 

As sports fans, we're witnessing a seismic shift in how we consume our favorite live games and events. ESPN's streaming evolution represents freedom from traditional cable constraints and regional blackouts that have frustrated us for years.

Cord-cutters and streaming subscribers are best positioned for this transformation, with a number of budget friendly monthly subscriptions available, many of them under $10, making the options to us even bigger.

With ESPN, the app experience and sheer choice on display should be enough to tempt you. Where sports are concerned as a direct-to-consumer streaming product it ticks all the boxes.

Its subscription plans are streamlined, the subscription prices are fair too, making the sports media giant a viable contender when it comes to picking a sporting package to suit you. Content-wise, ESPN packs a punch, with so many matches from a variety of soccer leagues around the world like LALIGA and England's FA Cup competition. Add in its pleasant user experience that has streaming links to the most popular channels and biggest sports matches across a number of different leagues, and ESPN is looking like a strong contender. 

If you are considering cord cutting for good in order to access weekly football, basketball, baseball and soccer via streaming, and when it comes to tuning into the latest and greatest live sports events, then ESPN's flagship service is for you.