Hulu, Netflix, and HBO make becoming a cord-cutter easy since they have extensive on-demand libraries with all your favorite shows. What happens to live events and sports? While cable once had a monopoly over live sports coverage, we're here to let you know that it doesn’t take a complex play to get ESPN without cable. Getting an ESPN live stream on your computer, smart TV, or streaming device is easier than ever. You'll be on your way to watching Monday Night Football, “Sportscenter,” and “NBA Today” in no time.
How to Stream ESPN Online Without Cable
ESPN is the most popular sports channel on cable — but you don’t need cable (or satellite) to watch it. ESPN is also available on another type of pay TV service: live TV streaming service.
Like cable services, live TV streaming services offer bundles of popular channels for a monthly fee. But, unlike most cable services, live TV streaming services don’t mandate long-term contracts. Live TV streaming services stream online (hence the name), which means you can watch them anytime and anywhere, whether that’s your Roku TV at home or your iPhone at your nephew’s little league game.
Hulu + Live TV is the live TV streaming option available through Hulu. With Hulu + Live TV, you’ll get Hulu’s complete on-demand library and livestreams of your favorite network TV stations, including ESPN and spin-off channels such as ESPN2. This service fared well in our Hulu + Live TV review.
fuboTV is an impressive skinny bundle that comes loaded with extra perks for sports fans. (The service once catered specifically to soccer fans, though that was a long time ago and the service is now aimed at TV fans of all sorts.) Naturally, fuboTV wouldn’t be much of a sports option without ESPN, so it’s no wonder ESPN — as well as sister networks such as ESPN2 — can be found on fuboTV’s channel list.
Sling TV is DISH’s skinny bundle. It’s the elder statesman of the group, having been available on a range of platforms for longer than any of the others. Sling TV uses an “a la carte” model, allowing you to choose a base package and then customize it by adding your choice of additional mini-bundles. Among your options are ESPN and a host of ESPN spin-off channels.
YouTube TV
While YouTube originally was the place to go for DIY videos and other content, they now have both on-demand and live TV channels, including ESPN. Some channels are only available in specific areas, so enter your ZIP code in their network finder to see if you have ESPN and ESPN2 in your area. Like many competitors, YouTube TV offers a weeklong free trial. To learn more, check out our full YouTube TV review.
Can I Watch ESPN on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast?
Good news: If you have a relatively recent model from any of the Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast families of devices, you will have a ton of options for watching ESPN without cable.
| Roku | Fire TV | Apple TV | Android TV | Chromecast | iOS | Android | Web browser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| fuboTV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sling TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Most Popular Shows to Stream on ESPN
While ESPN is home to many live sports, there are several shows that sports fans won’t want to miss. Many fans are familiar with the highlights and analysis through “Sports Center” and can find even more sports-related programming all in one spot. Whether it’s the offseason or you just want some excellent commentary, check out the following shows on ESPN:
- “Sports Center”
- “First Take”
- “In the Crease”
- “Daily Wager”
- “Pardon the Interruption”
Popular Sports to Stream on ESPN
Depending on the season, you’ll find a vast array of sports on ESPN. While football, hockey, basketball, and soccer are some well-known go-to’s, you can get front row seats (at home or on the go) to these sports:
Other Channels to Watch for Sports Fans
While it’s not a substitute for ESPN, ESPN Plus has great sports content, including live NHL games, exclusive NBA content, and more. It’s a good service for die-hard sports fans who just can’t get enough of ESPN and live sports. ESPN Plus has premium content and shows that you can’t find on ESPN, including replays of ESPN programming, on-demand sports documentaries from the “30 for 30” series, and, yes, even live sports, including matchups you can only watch on ESPN Plus. The pricing for ESPN Plus makes it easy to tack on to other subscriptions, and we recommend it for ESPN fanatics.
You can also find your favorite sports on channels including NBC Sports or specific sports through the Golf Channel, NBA TV, and MLB Network.
Is this something that seniors can manage without problems? We aren’t too smart on computers or changing from cable to a box to get our favorite shows.
It is! You can just choose one of the live TV streaming services listed above, click the “Try [Service] for free,” and follow the instructions.
My mother, who is 75 and can’t use a smartphone or tablet, uses her Roku box with ease. And she has been for six years now.
I’m looking for just 4 channels
1. ESPN
2. Discovery
3. History
4. FoxNews
I was thinking Sling but I can’t get all 4 in one package.
If you have Spectrum ask them for the TV choice package. Local channels plus any 10 channels you choose.
Eric,
Spectrum TV Choice will let you choose any 10 channels plus locals for less than $30. But you have to subscribe to their internet too
I live in Mexico and would like to receive the ESPN channels cable free. Suggestions? Thanks
espn+ is a joke. Should be called espn- which it what it really covers (all but the premium live sporting events).
Most folks that say they want espn meaning they want to watch live sports. Great examples are Monday Night Football, their college team or Prem. Soccer events. ESPN+ does not get you there.
Agreed!
Lol.
How can I watch ESPN plus with TMOBILE 5g internet?
I paid for the app but when I go to watch it on my Roku it’s asking for a code and I put it in and then it shows a list of internet providers and TMobile is not listed. Is there anyone out there that had the same problem and figured it out?
Hi Jeff, thanks for reading! I think what’s happening here is that *cable customers* can stream some things on the ESPN app, which is the same app that ESPN+ uses. You should still be able to sign up for ESPN+ on T-Mobile or any other internet service (it’s not free, though, you have to pay the usual price).
I was watching the Australian tennis today and the ESPN app plays flawlessly, so I joined the Anunnal but unfortunately when I tried to watch the American football and boxing they asked me to pay another 70 USD dollars a month, I have no idea why I need another TV provider, this is absolutely ridiculous and I will stop the payment.