Netflix and Prime Video rival is giving you FREE access to live sports coverage from ESPN

Taylor Bushey
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:40:28 +0000

American sports broadcasting giant ESPN is now live for millions of Disney+ subscribers across the UK.

For those unfamiliar with the name, ESPN stands for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. It's been America's biggest sports broadcaster for decades, reaching fans in more than 130 countries through its various channels, and became a part of Disney+ in the US back in late 2024.

Subscribers don't need to pay a penny more for any of this. If you've already got a Disney+ subscription, ESPN content comes included automatically.

Alisa Bowen, President of Disney+, said in a statement, “Sports and live events are an essential part of our Disney+ content library, and we’re excited to build on the success we’ve already had with sports fans, as we bring more of ESPN to Disney+ subscribers in Europe and APAC.

"This launch adds to our growing portfolio of local sports rights around the world.”

ESPN now sits alongside Disney+'s existing vast library — original and exclusive movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, Hulu, National Geographic, and FX.

Here's everything you can watch with the news sports hub.

Saturday evening football matches from LaLiga are part of the package, featuring the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid. These prime-time Spanish football fixtures were specifically chosen to avoid clashing with Premier League games.

You also get access to all 75 matches of the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Beyond live football, there is ESPN's famous 30 for 30 documentary series – a collection of films covering diverse stories from the sporting world. The ESPN FC studio show, which delivers global football news and analysis, is available too.

American basketball and ice hockey fans will have to wait a little longer, though. Coverage of the NBA and NHL won't kick off until the 2026-27 season begins.

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College sports are also on the way, including NCAA championships and the College Football Playoff.

Disney+ has promised the sports offering will grow substantially over the next twelve months, eventually reaching thousands of live events, putting it in direct competition with the likes of Sky Sports and dedicated sports streamer DAZN for the first time.

It's worth knowing that the exact content available varies depending on which country you're in. Not everything announced will necessarily be available in every European market.

The ESPN section is already appearing on some devices like Fire TV, though it might take a few days before it shows up properly across all platforms and apps.

One thing to keep in mind – watching any live sport on a streaming service means you'll need a valid TV licence.The price of a TV licence recently increased to £180 annually, which covers all devices —TVs, laptops, phones, tablets, and game consoles.

That applies whether you're using Disney+, Netflix, or any other platform. Watching on-demand doesn't require one, unless you're streaming via BBC iPlayer.

As for what Disney+ costs, prices went up in late September 2025. The ad-supported tier sits at £5.99 monthly, while the standard plan costs £9.99 per month or £99.99 for the year. Premium subscribers pay £14.99 monthly or £149.90 annually for 4K and Dolby Atmos.

ESPN content comes included at every price level.

If you have Sky, its Ultimate TV bundle now includes Disney+ at no extra cost, so you'll be able to watch all the ESPN content too.