ESPN Plus is an American-based streaming platform offering dedicated sports content, live sports and highlights, including all. Be it MLB, MLS, UFC matches, and other content, ESPN has all you can watch by subscribing to its pocket-friendly plans. Some users want to see how effective the subscription would be, and thus look for an ESPN Plus Free trial. So, I must tell you that ESPN does not offer a free trial in 2025, but you can have alternative options to get one and stream ESPN free for some time.
What Is ESPN Plus?
ESPN was launched in 2018 by Bill Rasmussen in Bristol, Connecticut. Initially launched as a cable network, ESPN turned into its digital form as time passed. It is now available on the ESPN application and website.
ESPN is a prime sports streamer around the world. From UFC fights, college basketball, and soccer, name a sport and you will find it on the platform. Additionally, users get a vast list of on-demand content, like 30 for 30 keeps on posting.
As of now, around 25 million subscribers are using the platform in the US alone. That depicts how important this streaming platform is for US users and the world.
Why Choose ESPN Plus Over Others?
Here’s why I think it’s worth a shot:
- Live games cable skips shine.
- Exclusive shows hook you fast.
- No ads interrupt the action.
- Downloads save your day anywhere.
- Affordable price fits tight budgets.
- UFC fights thrill every time.
- College sports fill your weekends.
- Documentaries teach you history.
- Easy setup works on any device.
- Bundles boost your options cheap.
Does ESPN Plus Offer a Free Trial in 2025?
Going straight forward – ESPN Plus doesn’t offer a free trial as it used to for 7 days. The platform was offering a free trial to attract users, and then a paused it in 2020. From then on, they stopped offering free trials on their plans, but there are still some ways to get it.
Users can look for bundle-up plans where they can expect various advantages, including a free trial and cost savings. We provide the full-step process below:
How to Get an ESPN Plus Free Trial
Getting an ESPN Plus Free Trial is impossible a the moment because the platform does not provide such on its official website. However, if you want access to a free trial indirectly, it’s possible through the bundle-up plans, jointly provided.
Let’s know how it’s possible:
Bundle-up with Hulu+ Live:
You can take a combined or bundle-up plan for Hulu Plus and ESPS Plus. With this, you get a 3-day free trial if you are a new user. That means combined, you can take advantage of a free trial for 3 days.
The bundle subscription for Disney+ and ESPN+ Plus will cost $82.99/month.
Get Free trial With Verizon:
Although directly impossible, if you take a Verizon subscription along with Disney Plus, you can take advantage of a free trial on ESPN. To know how it’s possible, here is the guide.
- Visit Verizon platform and select ‘Accounts’ tab.
- Then, click ‘Services & Perks’ and tap ‘See All.’
- Select ‘Manage’ in the ‘Manage Services & Perks’ section.
- Finally, tap ‘Get It Now’ and prepare to enter your personal details.
- After that, you will see Disney Bundle added to your account.
- From here, select ‘Go To Disney’ and wait.
- You will be on Disney Plus official website.
- Mention your email (same you used on Verizon), and tap ‘Agree & Continue.’
- After the subscription is active, it should be connected with ESPN+.
- Go to ‘https://plus.espn.com/activate
- Tap ‘login & stream’ and mention details.
- Create account with Disney’s email address.
- Finally, you are ready to enjoy ESPN Plus free trial.
However, if you don’t cancel the trial before its last date, the subscription will be converted into the plan you selected initially.
Interesting fact: Around 40% of sports streamers prefer bundle-up services to get a free trial for ESPN Plus.
Other Ways to Try ESPN Plus Without Paying
If Hulu’s not your thing, here are a couple more paths I’ve explored:
- Verizon Deal: If you’re a Verizon customer with a Play More or Get More Unlimited plan, you get ESPN Plus (plus Disney Plus and Hulu) for free as long as your plan’s active. My cousin uses this—it’s saved her $14.99 a month since she switched in 2024.
- Promotions: Sometimes, ESPN Plus teams up with brands like SiriusXM. In 2025, they’re offering a 6-month free ESPN Plus trial if you’re a SiriusXM subscriber. I haven’t tried this one, but a buddy of mine did and loved catching NHL games for free.
These options depend on what you already have, but they’re worth checking out!
How Much Does ESPN Plus Cost Normally?
If you like the ESPN service after taking a free trial, or even if you have not found a way to get a trial but have heard a lot about ESPN and want to subscribe to it, below is a detailed discussion of each kind of plan it offers:
- Monthly – The monthly plan is for the season’s best leagues in the world. It costs around $11.99/month.
- Yearly – The yearly subscription costs $119.99/year. This is an ideal plan for a year-round sports events, on-demand documentaries, and more.
Note: Remember, you can stream on five screens simultaneously with an ESPN subscription. Even more, one can get discounts or promotions using third-party apps.
Bundle-Up Cost:
The cost for bundle up plans is defined below. Have a look!
Disney Bundle: It costs $16.99/month with Hulu and Disney Plus (all with ads).
Prices went up a bit in 2024, but they’ve held steady into 2025 so far. Still a solid deal for what you get!
Pay Per View:
- Purchasing live UFC PPV is also possible and easier for $79.99/event.
- However, buying an annual PPV package will cost you $134.98.
What You’ll Enjoy with ESPN Plus
Excited about what you’ll get in the store? Here’s what I’ve loved watching:
- Live Sports: UFC, MLB, NHL, soccer leagues like La Liga, and tons of college games. I caught a wild basketball upset last month—pure excitement!
- Shows: Peyton’s Places and The Fantasy Show are must-sees. They’re exclusive, so you won’t find them anywhere else.
- Docs: The 30 for 30 series is gold. I binged The Last Dance about Michael Jordan—hours flew by.
A 2025 Business Insider stat says ESPN Plus streams over 10,000 live events yearly. That’s a game every day and then some!
Alternatives if You Can’t Get a Trial
No luck with a free trial? Here are other ways I’ve watched sports:
- FuboTV: Starts at $79.99/month, with a 7-day trial. Includes ESPN channels, not Plus, but great for live TV.
- YouTube TV: $82.99/month, 7-day trial. Covers ESPN networks—solid for NFL fans like me.
- Sling TV: $40/month (Orange plan), no trial, but cheap. Gets you ESPN basics.
- Hulu (Basic): $9.99/month, no trial, but adds ESPN Plus for $7 more. I’ve mixed and matched this.
- Peacock: $7.99/month, 3-month trials with some devices. Less sports, but growing.
Pro Tips for ESPN Plus Newbies
Here’s what I’ve picked up:
- Test with Hulu: Use that 3-day trial to binge a weekend of games. I watched a whole soccer tournament this way!
- Annual Saves: If you love it, go yearly—saves cash long-term.
- Device Check: Works on phones, TVs, laptops. I stream on my Roku—flawless.
- Cancel Easy: No contracts mean you dip out anytime. I’ve paused between seasons.
One time, I forgot to cancel Hulu’s trial and got a month of ESPN Plus anyway—turned into a happy accident!
Why ESPN for Sports Fans
It’s observed that for sports watching, around 70% of the USA sports fans were using the ESPN Plus service, as per Pew study 2025. That means it’s the number one choice among sports enthusiasts, making it the first choice. Moreover, users can also watch on-demand content on the platform, establishing engagement.
Wrapping Up:
Is there an ESPN Plus free trial? If you have this question, understand that currently there is no free trial on the official ESPN platform directly. Yet another option to get a free trial is to opt for bundle up plans with Hulu or Disney+. There you get a 3-day free trial. And if you like the free trial and it seems to fulfil the requirement, subscribe to one of the plans mentioned on the platform. Thanks for your time and patience! Hope this guide resolves doubts regarding ‘the ESPN Free trial.’
FAQs About ESPN Plus Free Trial
Got questions? I’ve got answers for you.
Qs 1: Does ESPN Plus still offer a free trial?
No, they stopped in 2020. You need a workaround like Hulu’s trial, or Disney’s now.
Qs 2: How long is the Hulu trial with ESPN Plus?
It lasts 3 days. Plenty to catch a big game or two!
Qs 3: Can I get ESPN Plus free with Verizon?
Yes, if you have a qualifying plan. Check Verizon’s site—my cousin swears by it.
Qs 4: What’s the cheapest way to try ESPN Plus?
Hulu’s 3-day trial at no cost, or the monthly $11.99 to test a month.
Qs 5: Does the Disney Bundle have a trial?
Not usually, but the $16.99/month price feels like a steal anyway.