Monday Night Football moved to ESPN, which Disney Plus does not carry on its own
Monday Night Football is not available through a standard Disney Plus subscription. The games air on ESPN, a cable channel that Disney owns but does not include in the Disney Plus streaming service. If you want to watch Monday Night Football, you need either a cable or satellite TV package that includes ESPN, or you need to add a separate streaming service that carries ESPN.
This is a common source of confusion because Disney owns both Disney Plus and ESPN. But they operate as separate services with separate costs. Disney Plus focuses on family content, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. ESPN is where live sports—including Monday Night Football—happen.
Key Takeaways
- Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, which is not included in a Disney Plus subscription.
- You can watch Monday Night Football through ESPN Plus, a separate streaming service from Disney, though not all games are on ESPN Plus—some require cable or satellite TV.
- Hulu with Live TV includes ESPN and carries Monday Night Football games, and it is bundled with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus in the Disney Bundle.
- The Disney Bundle costs less than buying all three services separately, but you are paying for Hulu's live TV feature to get ESPN.
ESPN Plus does not carry all Monday Night Football games
ESPN Plus is Disney's sports streaming service, separate from Disney Plus. It costs about $11 per month on its own. However, ESPN Plus does not carry every Monday Night Football game. Some games are exclusive to cable and satellite TV, meaning they air only on the ESPN channel itself and are not streamed anywhere else.
Which games appear on ESPN Plus versus cable-only varies by week. There is no way to know in advance which specific games will be streamed. If you rely on ESPN Plus alone, you may miss games that are not available to stream.
Hulu with Live TV is the most direct way to watch all games
Hulu with Live TV includes the ESPN channel as part of its live TV package. This means you get access to all Monday Night Football games, including the ones that are cable-exclusive. Hulu with Live TV costs around $76 per month, though the price varies by region and changes periodically.
The advantage is that you are not locked into a cable contract. You can cancel anytime. The disadvantage is the cost—it is more expensive than Disney Plus or ESPN Plus alone. However, Hulu with Live TV also includes access to Hulu's on-demand library and local channels in most markets.
The Disney Bundle saves money if you want multiple services
Disney offers a bundle that combines Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu. The standard bundle (with ad-supported Hulu) costs around $15 per month. However, this bundle does not include Hulu with Live TV, so you still would not get ESPN the cable channel or Monday Night Football.
If you want the bundle that includes live TV, you can add Hulu with Live TV to the bundle. This costs more—around $90 per month depending on your region—but you get all three services plus the ability to watch ESPN live. This is the cheapest way to get Monday Night Football through Disney's ecosystem if you also want Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
Cable and satellite TV still carry all games
If you have a cable or satellite TV subscription that includes ESPN, you can watch Monday Night Football through that provider's app or website. Most cable providers (Comcast, Charter, Verizon Fios) and satellite providers (DirecTV, Dish) offer apps that let you stream ESPN to your phone, tablet, or streaming device if you are logged in with your account.
You do not need to be at home to use these apps—you can watch from anywhere as long as you have internet. The downside is that cable and satellite packages are usually more expensive than streaming-only options, and they often require a contract.
Check your provider's app before paying for a new service
If you already have cable or satellite TV, check whether your provider offers an app that streams ESPN. Comcast offers Xfinity Stream, Charter offers Spectrum TV, and Verizon offers the Fios app. DirecTV offers the DirecTV app. You may already have access to Monday Night Football through an app you have not used yet.
Log in with your cable or satellite account credentials. If ESPN is part of your package, the app will show you live games. This is often the cheapest option if you are already paying for TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Monday Night Football with just a Disney Plus subscription?
No. Disney Plus does not include ESPN or any live sports. You need either a cable TV package with ESPN, Hulu with Live TV, or ESPN Plus (though ESPN Plus does not carry all games).
Is Monday Night Football on ESPN Plus?
Some games are, but not all. ESPN Plus carries select Monday Night Football games, but cable-exclusive games are not streamed anywhere. You cannot know which games will be on ESPN Plus until the schedule is released week by week.
What is the cheapest way to watch Monday Night Football?
If you already have cable or satellite TV with ESPN, use your provider's app—you likely already have access. If you do not have cable, Hulu with Live TV is the most direct option at around $76 per month. The Disney Bundle with Hulu Live TV costs more but includes Disney Plus and ESPN Plus as well.
Can I watch Monday Night Football on my phone with Disney Plus?
Not with Disney Plus alone. You would need Hulu with Live TV, ESPN Plus (for select games), or a cable provider app. read the app for whichever service you subscribe to and log in to stream on your phone.
Do I need a cable contract to watch Monday Night Football?
No. Hulu with Live TV does not require a contract and you can cancel anytime. ESPN Plus also has no contract. Only traditional cable and satellite TV require contracts, though some providers offer month-to-month options.