Sports fans don’t need a traditional cable package to stream their top games — here’s what you need to know
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ESPN is one of the top — if not the best — places to watch live sports games. Whether you’re an MLB fan or a College Basketball die-hard, the network has everything you need to sit back, relax (that’s a loose term), and cheer on your team. But chances are that if you’re a sports fan who has recently cut the cord, you may have started to wonder how you could watch your favorite teams or athletes compete even if you don’t have cable.
At a Glance: How to Watch ESPN Online
Stream: Watch ESPN with fuboTV, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV
The good news: It’s easier than ever to watch ESPN online and stream games, no matter what you’re trying to watch. Read on for our guide to watching everything on ESPN, from Hulu + Live TV to fuboTV.
How to Watch ESPN Without Cable
Whether you’re looking for bundle options or free trials, here are our top picks for how to watch ESPN even if you don’t have standard cable.
Stream ESPN With fuboTV
It’s no surprise that Fubo is one of the best ways to watch sports on ESPN even if you don’t have a traditional cable TV package. Watch ESPN-broadcast games, races, and more with fuboTV’s Pro plan that includes 189 channels. The best part? It’s only $84.99/month which is cheaper than traditional cable services. And right now, the streaming network is offering a seven-day free trial.
Watch ESPN with fuboTV
Watch ESPN With Sling TV
A streaming home run for cord-cutters, Sling is one of the top services for watching sports without cable right now. Sling Orange includes access to ESPN, so you can watch any game or event. You can stream live sports and record content starting at $46 per month. But Sling also has a promo right now that gets you the subscription for as low as $20 for your first month — a 50% total savings. Watch ESPN with Sling TV
Stream ESPN With Hulu + Live TV
Hulu has the best streaming bundle out there with its Disney+ and ESPN+ package, but you can also watch live sports and ESPN with Hulu + Live TV. In addition to watching all your favorite teams and games with the live streaming package, you’ll also get access to Hulu and Disney+ original series and newly released blockbusters. Bonus: You’ll also get to watch even more sports on ESPN+ that aren’t streaming elsewhere thanks to the bundle. The ad-supported bundle starts at $82.99 per month, and you can currently get a three-day free trial to start streaming. Watch ESPN with Hulu + Live TV
Watch ESPN With ExpressVPN
Another top pick for watching ESPN without cable or during a blackout? Go with a virtual private network, or VPN for short. We like ExpressVPN, which lets you watch live sports wherever you’re going. You can log in with one of the streaming credentials above, set your location, then start watching ESPN using ExpressVPN. Plus, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee. Right now you can save 49% and get three months free. Watch ESPN with ExpressVPN
Stream ESPN on DirecTV Stream
One of the easiest ways to stream sports on ESPN without cable is with a DirecTV Stream subscription, with plans starting at $86.99 a month for the Entertainment + Sports package. The plan features 90+ channels to watch online, including college football matchups. Subscriptions also come with a five-day free trial.
Can You Watch ESPN for Free?
Whether you’re trying to tune into an upcoming college basketball game or an MLS soccer match on ESPN, there are a few ways you can watch live sports for free for a limited time, even if you don’t have cable these days. The easiest way to watch ESPN for free? Your best bet is to sign up for free trials like Hulu + Live TV or DirecTV. Just keep in mind you’ll need to cancel your subscription before you get charged for their monthly subscription rates.
Is ESPN on DirecTV Stream?
Yes, DirecTV Stream subscribers can now watch ESPN and other Disney-owned channels with any of the streaming service’s packages.
How to Watch ESPN2 Online Without Cable
In addition to streaming ESPN online, sports fans have several ways to watch games on ESPN2. FuboTV and Sling’s Orange plan carry ESPN2 in their channel lineups.