Cheapest Way to Get ESPN Without Cable in 2025

Introduction

I went hunting for the cheapest way to get ESPN without cable and expected the usual suspects to fight for my wallet. Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu Live. Then 2025 showed up with a plot twist. ESPN Unlimited finally lets you stream the real ESPN cable channels directly for $29.99 per month. That changed the entire equation for my budget.

There is another curveball. Sling added Day, Weekend, and Week Passes that unlock ESPN for as little as $4.99. So if you only need ESPN for one game, you can pay less than lunch and move on. Below is the simple breakdown. What is cheapest per month, what is cheapest per event, and what to avoid so you do not subscribe to the wrong thing.

Best cheap monthly option: ESPN Unlimited for $29.99

If you want ESPN all month at the lowest price, the winner is ESPN Unlimited at $29.99 per month. It includes the ESPN channel, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN, and ESPN+. There is also a promo bundle that throws in Disney+ and Hulu for the same $29.99 for 12 months. If you stream a lot, that is strong value.

This is the first time going direct to ESPN beats the live TV bundles for price. If you do not need a big pile of non sports channels in one app, this is the budget play. Pair it with a cheap antenna for ABC games if you need locals.

Cheapest for one game: Sling Day Pass from $4.99

Only need ESPN for a single game or a single weekend? Sling Day Pass gives you 24 hours of the Sling Orange lineup, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, for $4.99. There is also a Weekend Pass for $9.99 and a Week Pass for $14.99. It fits a pay and bail strategy. Buy the pass, watch the game, and walk away without a monthly bill. You can add Sports Extra to a pass for a couple of dollars to grab more sports channels.

Heads up. These passes focus on the Orange lineup, not broadcast locals. For ESPN heavy events, that is fine. For games on ABC, you will need an antenna or another source.

Other live TV bundles with ESPN and their prices

If you prefer a full channel grid with locals, DVR, and a wider mix of sports, here are the going rates. They are all pricier than ESPN Unlimited.

• Sling Orange: $45.99 per month. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3. Cheapest bundle path if you want more than ESPN on a budget.
• Fubo Sports skinny bundle: $55.99 per month after the first month promo. Includes ESPN and other sports networks.
• YouTube TV: about $83 per month at regular price. Great locals and sports, not exactly cheap.
• Hulu + Live TV: $82.99 per month. Comes with Disney+ and the ESPN+ library. Solid all in option, not the budget pick.
• DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment: $84.99 per month baseline. Reliable, also pricey.

ESPN+ vs ESPN, now ESPN Select vs ESPN Unlimited

Do not get tricked by the names. ESPN Select, the rebrand of ESPN+, does not include the live ESPN cable channel. It is add on content that is great for niche leagues and UFC prelims, but it is not a substitute for ESPN or ESPN2. If you want the live ESPN networks, you need ESPN Unlimited or a live TV bundle. This confusion is the number one reason people miss a game and then email support.

Bottom line

• Cheapest monthly: ESPN Unlimited at $29.99 per month. If you are heavy ESPN and light everything else, this is the slam dunk. The Disney+ and Hulu promo makes it sweeter.
• Cheapest for one game or weekend: Sling Day, Weekend, or Week Pass starting at $4.99. Pay, watch, and bounce.
• Need locals and a bigger channel list: Sling Orange is the value play. Expect roughly $56 to $85 plus with the larger bundles.

Related Links:

Go straight to ESPN (cheapest legit options)

• ESPN (Select/Unlimited) – official signup/info: https://plus.espn.com/ ESPN
• ESPN explainer on the new DTC service: https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/45989279/what-new-espn-dtc-service-plans-costs-key-facts ESPN.com
• ESPN press release (details + channels for Unlimited): https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/08/espn-launches-new-direct-to-consumer-service-enhanced-espn-app/ ESPN Press Room U.S.
• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Bundle (Disney site): https://www.disneyplus.com/welcome/disney-hulu-espn-bundle Disney+
• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Bundle (Hulu site): https://www.hulu.com/disney-hulu-espn-unlimited-bundle Hulu

Live TV streaming services that carry ESPN

• Sling TV Orange (plan page): https://www.sling.com/service/sling-orange Sling TV
• Sling’s ESPN page: https://www.sling.com/programming/espn Sling TV
• Hulu + Live TV (plan page): https://www.hulu.com/live-tv Hulu
• YouTube TV – ESPN page: https://tv.youtube.com/browse/espn-UCakwQ1jKQnYJcUMghvnp-Yw YouTube TV
• Fubo – ESPN page: https://www.fubo.tv/stream/espn/ fubo
• Fubo – channel lineup: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/channels fubo
• DIRECTV STREAM – channel lineup (PDF): https://www.directv.com/dtvassets/sales/directv/upper_funnel/byod/channels/DIRECTV-STREAM-Channel-Lineup.pdf DIRECTV
• DIRECTV – interactive channel lineup page: https://www.directv.com/channel-lineup/ DIRECTV

Handy ESPN resources to include

• ESPN Channel Finder (verify your provider): https://www.espn.com/espnnetworks/channelFinder ESPN.com
• ESPN Watch “Offers” page (event purchases/upgrades): https://www.espn.com/watch/offers ESPN.com
• ESPN Supported Devices list: https://support.espn.com/hc/en-us/articles/40437394513428-Supported-Devices ESPN Support
• ESPN bundle/support article (Select/Unlimited with Disney/Hulu): https://support.espn.com/hc/en-us/articles/13625304066836-ESPN-Select-Unlimited-in-bundled-subscriptions-with-Disney-and-Hulu ESPN Support

What surprised me most is simple. The cheapest legit monthly path to ESPN is now ESPN itself. Took long enough.

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Prices checked as of September 1, 2025. Promos change and regional taxes or fees may apply. Always double check the offer page right before you buy.