You Won’t Believe How Much ESPN+ Cost—Here’s the Total Breakdown!

If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably heard buzz about ESPN+—the exclusive streaming service offering live games, exclusive matches, original documentaries, and all-new content from your favorite leagues. But here’s the hard truth: ESPN+ isn’t cheap—but why? In this exclusive breakdown, we’re exposing exactly how much ESPN+ costs, what’s included, and whether the investment is worth it for today’s sports viewers.


Understanding the Context

What Is ESPN+?

Launched by ESPN in 2018, ESPN+ is a premium streaming platform focused solely on live sports coverage, including Major League Baseball (via MLB Advanced Media rights), NCAA basketball, UFC events, MLS, NHL, PGA Tour, professional wrestling, and countless other niche sports. It’s designed for hardcore fans who won’t settle for live games via traditional TV or other streaming services.


The Current ESPN+ Pricing: How Much Will It Cost You?

Key Insights

As of 2024, here’s what you need to know:

  • Monthly Subscription: $14.99
  • Annual Subscription: $139.99 (~$11.66/month)
  • Free Trial: 7-day free trial available — perfect for testing before committing

That’s roughly $169 annually, a significant chunk compared to standard options like YouTube, Peacock, or even Amazon Prime bundles. For context:

  • Apple TV+ ($9.99/month) offers fewer live sports
  • NBA League Pass: $ Dissatisfying compared to ESPN+’s deep coverage
  • Traditional cable packages often exceed $150/month but include illegitimate channels

Final Thoughts

What’s Included at ESPN+?

Despite the price tag, ESPN+ delivers a powerhouse lineup of exclusive coverage, including:

Live Major League Baseball games (most weekend matches, AL/NL series, playoffs)
College basketball highlights and games (including the March Madness Final Four on some years)
UFC events, PGA Tour tournaments, and MMA action
NBA games (depending on league rights extensions)
Original documentaries, sports talk shows, and behind-the-scenes features
Exclusive UFC Fight Pass events and PPV boxing cards
✅ Access to SportsCenter Plus — extended sports news and analysis


Why Does ESPN+ Cost So Much?

The high price reflects:

🔹 Exclusive Rights Fees — ESPN pays billions annually to stream marquee events like MLB games and UFC events.

🔹 Production Costs — producing original documentaries and maintaining live broadcasting infrastructure requires deep investment.

🔹 Competitive Differentiation — ESPN+ competes with Netflix-style bundles, premium networks, and rising streaming costs.

🔹 Ad-Free and Quality Experience — No commercial interruptions; high-definition streaming across devices.