Disney Plus does not carry Monday Night Football
Disney Plus does not broadcast Monday Night Football. The service focuses on entertainment content — movies, series, documentaries, and sports documentaries — rather than live sports. Monday Night Football games air on ESPN, which is owned by Disney but operates as a separate service with its own subscription model.
If you want to watch Monday Night Football, you need ESPN+ (the streaming version of ESPN), a cable or satellite subscription that includes ESPN, or a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV. ESPN+ requires its own subscription and is not included with Disney Plus, even though both companies are owned by the same parent corporation.
Key Takeaways
- Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, not Disney Plus, and requires a separate ESPN+ subscription or a live TV service to watch.
- Disney Plus carries sports documentaries and behind-the-scenes content but does not show live sports events of any kind.
- ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service that costs extra and is not bundled with a Disney Plus subscription.
- Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include ESPN and Monday Night Football in their channel lineups.
What Disney Plus actually offers for sports content
Disney Plus does include sports-related programming, but it is documentary and historical content, not live games. You can watch series about athletes, behind-the-scenes looks at teams, and films about sports history. The service carries content from ESPN Films and National Geographic that explores sports topics, but none of it is live play-by-play coverage.
If you subscribe to Disney Plus for sports, you are getting storytelling about sports, not the games themselves. This is an important distinction because many people assume that Disney ownership of ESPN means ESPN content flows into Disney Plus automatically. It does not.
How to watch Monday Night Football if you have Disney Plus
You have three main routes. The first is to add ESPN+ as a separate subscription. ESPN+ costs a monthly fee and gives you access to select Monday Night Football games, though not every game is streamed on ESPN+ — some air only on traditional ESPN cable. You can check the ESPN+ schedule before you subscribe to see which games are available.
The second route is a live TV streaming service. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and similar services include ESPN in their channel packages. These services cost more than Disney Plus alone but give you access to all Monday Night Football broadcasts plus other live sports and cable channels. Many of these services offer free trial periods, so you can test the experience before committing.
The third route is a traditional cable or satellite subscription that includes ESPN. This is the most expensive option but gives you the full ESPN channel experience, including pre-game shows and analysis programs that may not be on streaming services.
The difference between ESPN+ and traditional ESPN
ESPN+ and ESPN cable are not the same thing. ESPN+ is a streaming-only service that carries selected games, original shows, and sports documentaries. Traditional ESPN (the cable channel) carries more games, more live coverage, and more sports programming overall. Some Monday Night Football games air only on ESPN cable and are not available on ESPN+.
Before you pay for ESPN+, check whether the specific games you want to watch are listed on the ESPN+ schedule. The service updates its schedule weekly, and you can view upcoming games on the ESPN+ website or app without a subscription.
Bundle options that include ESPN+
Disney offers a bundle that combines Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ at a lower total price than buying each separately. This bundle does not give you live TV, but it does give you ESPN+ access to selected Monday Night Football games. The bundle is available in different tiers depending on whether you want ads in Hulu and Disney Plus.
If you already have a Disney Plus subscription and want to add ESPN+, the bundle is usually cheaper than paying for ESPN+ alone. You can switch to the bundle through your Disney Plus account settings or by visiting the Disney+ website.
What to check before you subscribe to watch football
Not every Monday Night Football game streams on ESPN+. Some games air only on ESPN cable, which means you need either cable or a live TV streaming service to watch them. Before you commit to any subscription, visit the ESPN+ schedule page and look at the upcoming Monday Night Football games to see how many are actually available on that service.
If you are considering a live TV streaming service instead, compare the channel lineups and prices. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV both include ESPN, but they have different channel selections and pricing. Sling TV is cheaper but may have fewer channels. Check which service covers the games you want to watch and whether it offers a trial period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Monday Night Football on Disney Plus with an ESPN+ subscription?
No. ESPN+ is a separate service from Disney Plus. You need an ESPN+ subscription to watch selected Monday Night Football games on ESPN+, but not every game is available on that service. Some games air only on ESPN cable.
Is ESPN+ included free with Disney Plus?
No. ESPN+ requires its own subscription. Disney offers a bundle that combines Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ at a discount, but ESPN+ is not free with Disney Plus alone.
Which Monday Night Football games are on ESPN+?
The schedule changes weekly and varies by season. Check the ESPN+ website or app to see which upcoming Monday Night Football games are available. Not all games stream on ESPN+; some air only on ESPN cable.
Is there a cheaper way to watch Monday Night Football?
Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include ESPN and cost around $70 to $80 per month. They are more expensive than ESPN+ alone but cheaper than cable and include other channels. Some offer free trial periods.
Can I watch Monday Night Football on my cable subscription?
Yes, if your cable package includes ESPN. You can also watch on the ESPN app or website by signing in with your cable credentials, though availability varies by provider.