Tips and Tricks To Stream ESPN Without Cable in 2025

If you recently cut the cord with your cable service provider or are traveling and want to watch ESPN online, you don’t have to miss game night. In this article, we'll share plenty of tips to stay connected.

Let's be real. ESPN+ offers access to all the best sports, from the NFL and NHL to NCAA, PGA golf, Formula 1, La Liga soccer, NBA, WNBA, and even original shows. An ESPN+ subscription or add-on to your current streaming package lets you watch live games from the regular season, playoffs, and championship tournaments, with exclusive content like highlights and interviews. 

We want that for you this 2025 season. So keep reading to discover how to catch your favorite games and stream ESPN from anywhere.

How to watch ESPN without cable in the U.S.

Avid American sports fans who are cord cutters can still watch ESPN without cable, thanks to several superb streaming services currently providing ESPN.

We’ve curated a list of these streaming platforms with a brief overview of their features, pricing options, free trial offerings, and included sports channels so you can watch your favorite games without hassle.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is our top choice, offering ESPN along with over 100 channels in its Base plan. It also has a Spanish plan featuring ESPN Deportes. Compatible with most devices, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices, YouTube TV's unlimited DVR storage lets you save programs to watch later.

It supports up to six individual user profiles and allows simultaneous streaming on three devices, making it ideal for families. New users can enjoy a 14-day free trial without an annual contract.

Plans include:

• Base plan: $54.99/mo for the first three months, before jumping to $72.99/mo for first three months, $82.99/mo after
• Spanish plan: $34.99/mo for 30+ Spanish networks, including ESPN Deportes

YouTube TV also offers flexibility by allowing subscriptions to standalone networks without needing the Base plan. It does not allow you to add ESPN as a standalone, however.

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream, previously known as AT&T TV, offers a comprehensive Entertainment plan that includes over 90 channels, including ESPN. Priced at $49.99/mo for first month, $84.99/mo after, this plan comes with a five-day free trial, allowing you to explore its offerings without commitment.

One of the standout features is its unlimited cloud DVR storage, which lets you record and replay your favorite shows whenever you want. Additionally, you can enhance your viewing experience by adding Spanish sports channels like ESPN Deportes and FOX Deportes to your subscription.

Sling TV

To watch ESPN, start with Sling TV's Orange plan for $20.00 in the first month. This plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and over 30 other channels. The Orange plan offers 50 hours of DVR storage and allows streaming on one device. After the first month, the cost jumps to $45.99/mo.

For additional channels (over 40 channels in total), the Blue plan includes Fox Sports 1 and the NFL Network, with a $20.00 discount for the first month. It supports streaming on up to three devices and costs $40.00/mo after the discount.

You can also combine the Blue and Orange plans for $27.50 in the first month ($29.99/mo afterward) for access to over 75 channels.

Sling TV also offers add-ons for customization, including DVR Plus for 200 hours of storage for $5 per month, Sports Extra for additional channels at $11 per month, and Heartland Extra for niche channels like World Fishing Network and Sportsman Channel for $6 per month.

Hulu and Disney+

To watch ESPN without cable, you can also try Hulu or Disney+. There are a couple of plan options to get ESPN.

• Hulu + Live TV: This plan offers 95+ live TV channels, including ESPN. After a three-day free trial, it costs $64.99/mo for first three months, $89.99 after and includes Disney+ and ESPN+, both with ads. It also has Hulu's extensive on-demand library with ads.
• Disney Bundle Trio Basic: An affordable option at $19.99/mo, the Trio Basic plan provides live sports on ESPN+, endless entertainment on Disney+, and Hulu Originals, all with ads.
• Disney Bundle Trio Premium: For an ad-free experience, this plan costs $29.99/mo and includes Disney+ and Hulu without ads, while ESPN+ remains with ads.

How to watch ESPN without cable in the U.K.

To watch ESPN in the U.K., you can go to ESPN U.K. or use a VPN. A VPN allows you to connect to a server in the U.S., making it appear as if you're browsing from the States. This way, you can access streaming services like YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream and download the ESPN app to watch live.

While ESPN itself isn't available directly in the U.K., services like BT Sport (TNT Sports), Sky Sports, and EE TV offer a range of sports channels that cover NBA, MLB, and NFL content.

However, for the full ESPN experience, using a VPN to connect to U.S.-based streaming services is the most effective solution.

Keep in mind that some services may block VPN usage, so consider using a dedicated IP address, obfuscated servers, or Smart DNS features if needed.

How to watch ESPN without cable in Canada

While there aren’t streaming services in Canada that directly offer ESPN, Canadian sports enthusiasts can still stream live sports content that is normally featured on ESPN. This includes games from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more.

Additionally, using a streaming-optimized VPN is a helpful tool for accessing ESPN directly.

How to watch ESPN without cable from anywhere

Streaming services often have geo-restricted content, but a VPN masks your true location and allows you to connect to a server in the U.S. — or anywhere else in the world — making it appear as if you're browsing from that location and bypassing geographical restrictions.

A VPN encrypts your data and online activities so that you can stream securely. A VPN also stops your ISP from throttling your speed, optimizing your streaming experience when watching ESPN.

Another significant benefit is that VPN service providers often offer servers worldwide. This means that if you’re trying to watch football matches in Spain that are only available locally, you can connect to a server located in Spain and tune in. The best VPNs let you connect to servers in various countries, including the U.S., Europe, Australia, Japan, South America, and more.

How? Simply connect to a VPN server in the desired location. So if you want to stream American sports, connect to a U.S. server closest to your location, such as New York if you're on the East Coast or Los Angeles if you're on the West Coast. Better yet, let the VPN provider select an optimized server through "quick connect" or similar.

NordVPN offers high-speed servers globally, perfect for streaming games on ESPN. With 8,600+ servers in 120+ countries, it’s ideal for streaming. It has obfuscated servers that disguise VPN traffic and offers dedicated IP addresses, helping you bypass VPN blocks imposed by streaming platforms like YouTube TV or Netflix.

ESPN schedule

For the latest ESPN schedule, it’s always best to check the official website or app for up-to-date information on upcoming games, shows, and events.

Here are the links to specific schedules:

• NFL: NFL Schedule
• Soccer: Soccer Schedule
• NBA: NBA Schedule
• WNBA: WNBA Schedule
• NHL: NHL Schedule
• Boxing: Boxing Schedule
• MMA: MMA Schedule
• MLB: MLB Schedule
• Golf: Golf Schedule
• NASCAR: NASCAR Schedule
• Tennis: Tennis Schedule

FAQs

Bottom line

Staying connected to ESPN without cable is easier than ever, thanks to streaming services and VPNs. Whether you're in the U.S., U.K., Canada, or anywhere else in the world, you have plenty of choices to ensure you never miss a game.

For the best streaming experience, consider selecting one of the best VPNs to access content from anywhere in the world.