Yes, but only through ESPN+ and specific live events
You can watch some ESPN live content on Disney Plus, but not all of it. Disney Plus itself does not carry a live ESPN channel. Instead, Disney Plus offers a bundle that includes ESPN+, a separate streaming service where most ESPN live sports happen. If you subscribe to the Disney Bundle (Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+), you get access to ESPN+ content through that subscription.
The confusion comes from the fact that ESPN+ is not the same as the ESPN cable channel. ESPN+ has its own library of live games, original shows, and exclusive events. Some of those events are also shown on the cable ESPN channel, but many are ESPN+ only. Disney Plus itself shows no live sports—it is for movies, shows, and Disney-owned entertainment.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus does not stream live ESPN broadcasts; you need ESPN+ (a separate service) to watch most ESPN live sports.
- The Disney Bundle combines Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ at a lower price than buying them separately.
- ESPN+ carries exclusive live games, original sports content, and some events that also air on cable ESPN, but not all cable ESPN programming.
- You can also subscribe to ESPN+ on its own without Disney Plus if you only want sports streaming.
What ESPN+ includes that Disney Plus does not
ESPN+ is a live sports streaming service with thousands of events per year. It carries college football, college basketball, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, tennis, golf, and combat sports. Many of these games are exclusive to ESPN+—they do not air on the cable ESPN channel at all.
ESPN+ also produces original shows like Hoop Streams (basketball analysis), Detail (sports breakdowns), and Peyton's Places (sports history). These originals are ESPN+ only and do not appear on Disney Plus. The service updates its live schedule constantly, so the specific games available on any given day change week to week.
Disney Plus, by contrast, has no live sports. It is built for on-demand movies and series that you can watch anytime. If you want to watch a live game, you must use ESPN+ or the cable ESPN channel.
How the Disney Bundle works
The Disney Bundle combines three services: Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+. When you subscribe to the bundle, you pay one monthly price and get access to all three. This is cheaper than paying for each service separately. The bundle comes in two versions: one with ads on Hulu and ESPN+, and one without ads.
If you already have Disney Plus, you can add ESPN+ to your account, and it will appear in the same app or account dashboard. You do not need to create a separate ESPN+ login—it is linked to your Disney account. When you open Disney Plus, you will see a section or tab for ESPN+ content, though the live games themselves stream through the ESPN+ interface.
You can also subscribe to ESPN+ alone if you do not want Disney Plus or Hulu. This is useful if you only care about sports and do not watch Disney movies or Hulu shows.
Which live sports are ESPN+ only versus cable ESPN
Some games air on both ESPN+ and the cable ESPN channel. Others air only on ESPN+. The split depends on the league and the specific broadcast rights deal. For example, some college football games are ESPN+ exclusive, while others air on cable ESPN and ESPN+ at the same time.
Major League Baseball on ESPN+ includes select games throughout the season, but not every game. The same is true for college basketball and other sports. To know whether a specific game is on ESPN+, you check the ESPN+ schedule or search for the team or sport you want to watch. The ESPN+ app and website show you what is live right now and what is coming up.
If you have cable ESPN through a TV provider, you can also use the ESPN app to stream those cable broadcasts on your phone or computer. But that is separate from ESPN+ and requires a cable login.
How to access ESPN+ through Disney Plus
If you have the Disney Bundle, open the Disney Plus app on your device. Look for the ESPN+ section or tab—it is usually visible on the home screen or in the menu. Tap or click it to see ESPN+ content. You will then see the ESPN+ home page with live games, upcoming events, and on-demand shows.
On a web browser, go to disneyplus.com, sign in with your Disney account, and look for the ESPN+ section. On a phone or tablet, the Disney Plus app includes ESPN+ content if you have the bundle. On a smart TV, the Disney Plus app works the same way.
If you subscribed to ESPN+ separately (not through the bundle), you use the ESPN+ app instead. The ESPN+ app is available on phones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV, and web browsers.
Devices that support ESPN+ streaming
ESPN+ works on most devices. You can stream on iPhones, iPads, Android phones, Android tablets, Mac, Windows computers, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and PlayStation 4 and 5. You can also watch on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
If you have the Disney Bundle through Disney Plus, the ESPN+ content is available on any device where you can use Disney Plus. If you subscribed to ESPN+ separately, read the ESPN+ app from your device's app store and sign in with your ESPN+ account.
You can stream on multiple devices at the same time, depending on your subscription plan. Check the ESPN+ or Disney Bundle terms to see how many simultaneous streams are included with your plan.
Cost and subscription options
ESPN+ costs vary depending on whether you subscribe alone or as part of the Disney Bundle. ESPN+ by itself has a monthly plan and an annual plan. The Disney Bundle (Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+) also offers monthly and annual options, with separate pricing for the ad-supported and ad-free versions of Hulu and ESPN+.
Prices change periodically, so check the Disney Plus or ESPN+ website for current rates. Some promotions offer discounted rates for the first few months. If you already pay for Disney Plus or Hulu, adding ESPN+ to your account may cost less than buying ESPN+ alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the ESPN cable channel live on Disney Plus?
No. Disney Plus does not carry the live ESPN cable channel. You need ESPN+ (a separate service) to watch ESPN live sports. ESPN+ has thousands of live events per year, but it is not the same as the cable ESPN channel. Some games air on both, but many are ESPN+ exclusive.
Do I need cable to watch ESPN+ on Disney Plus?
No. ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service. You do not need a cable subscription to use it. If you have the Disney Bundle, you get ESPN+ as part of that subscription. You can also subscribe to ESPN+ on its own without Disney Plus or cable.
What sports are on ESPN+ right now?
ESPN+ carries college football, college basketball, Major League Baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, and combat sports, among others. The specific games available change daily. Check the ESPN+ app or website to see what is live today and what is coming up this week.
Can I watch ESPN+ on my TV?
Yes. ESPN+ works on smart TVs, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, PlayStation, and Xbox. read the ESPN+ app or use the Disney Plus app if you have the bundle. Sign in with your account and start watching.
Is ESPN+ the same as ESPN+?
ESPN+ is a streaming service owned by Disney. It is separate from the cable ESPN channel, though some content appears on both. ESPN+ has exclusive live games and original shows that do not air on cable. If you want to stream ESPN sports, ESPN+ is where most of that content lives.