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If you love sports and want to stream MLB, NHL and NBA, as well as college sports, PGA golf, Top Rank Boxing, Grand Slam Tennis matches and sports films/documentaries all in one place, you can take advantage of an ESPN+ subscription.
ESPN+ is the official streaming service for ESPN, but unfortunately it is only available in the US. However, if you have the right software and payment details, you can bypass the blockers and start following your favorite sport in no time.
This is the same method that gives you access to a variety of other US streaming services, including Netflix US, The CW, HBO and The Criterion Channel. We’ll preface this with a warning, though: this is against ESPN’s terms of service, so proceed at your own risk.
You can also see if it’s possible to sign up for another premium sports streaming service, DAZN. We also have a guide to signing up for Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.
How to watch ESPN+ in the UK and abroad
There is a way to watch ESPN+ directly from Britain, but it’s tricky. For this reason, we recommend looking at alternative options such as TNT Sports or Sky Sports.
You can find all available sports shows on the ESPN+ website. This is locked for users outside the US, but you can unblock it using a VPN.
Using a VPN redirects your IP address, allowing you to browse the Internet as if you were in another country. Once you connect to a US server, you should be able to stream content on ESPN+.
However, if you want to create a new account, then you need a payment card linked to the US. We tried signing up for a new account from the UK using multiple devices, but it didn’t work.
Alternatively, you can use a VPN to log into the active account of a friend or family member based in the US and stream that way.
We recommend using NordVPN, which offers over 5,000 servers and has one of the most affordable prices. If you want to see what else is out there, check out our ranking of the different VPNs.
- Time to complete: 5 minutes
- Tools required: laptop or phone, VPN
Find a server
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Open your VPN on your phone, laptop or other device and choose a server in the US.
Go to the ESPN+ website and select ‘subscribe to ESPN+ only’
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You will not have full access to the website if a US VPN server is not enabled.
Make sure you select ESPN+ only and not the Disney+/Hulu bundle (unless you want that too).
Enter your email address
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Once you have entered your email address, select the yellow ‘continue’ box.
If you sign up for an active subscription, this page will take you directly to the login area.
Complete creating your account
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Add your first name, last name and password.
Add your payment details
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Select ‘monthly subscription’ or ‘annual subscription’ depending on how long you want to commit.
If you have it available, then Sign in with a US credit card or US PayPal account.
If you don’t have this, you’ll need to sign into an existing account of a family member or friend who lives in the US.
How much does ESPN+ cost?
ESPN+ is a premium service, so if you want to access it, you’ll have to pay a subscription fee. If you want to go for this service alone, you can choose from two options. Either $10.99 per month, or $109.99 per year, depending on how much commitment you want to make.
It’s worth mentioning that Disney has a streaming service bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. This bundle costs $14.99 per month for ad-supported content and $24.99 per month for ad-free streaming. Both bundles offer a more competitive offering than the standalone ESPN+ subscriptions.
Disney+ gives you access to shows like The Mandalorian, a live-action Star Wars series, all the Marvel series like She-Hulk and a whole host of Disney classics. Meanwhile, Hulu gives you access to shows like The Handmaid’s Tale and Castle Rock, so you get a lot for your money. If you want to watch Hulu on your own, see how to watch Hulu in the UK.
What sports does ESPN+ cover?
ESPN+ has a big focus on American sports that you can’t get here in Britain, so things like MLB, NHL, UFC and college football and basketball games. You also have access to major tennis events other than Wimbledon, such as the US Open and Australian Open. There is also boxing, rugby, football, golf and many more sports to choose from.
In addition to games, you also have access to other content, including shows like 30 for 30, E:60, Draft Academy, OJ: Made in America and Kobe: Detail, as well as sports talk shows and comedy.