ESPN Free Trial: How to Watch ESPN For Free in 2026

Updated on April 2, 2026 • Staff

Sports enthusiasts get their daily dose of the NFL, NBA, Tennis Open, Formula 1, and even college league games from ESPN. ESPN+ does not offer a free trial, but you can watch ESPN with a free trial from one of the services below.

Summary

Fubo ($73.99/month, 7 days free trial)
DIRECTV ($89.99/month, 5 days free trial)
Hulu with Live TV ($88.99/month, 3 days free trial)
YouTube TV ($82.99/month, 7 days free trial)

$73.99/month | 83 channels | 7 days free trial

1. Fubo

Fubo is a live TV and on-demand streaming service. The platform had it beginning as a soccer stream service, but it quickly became popular as a viable alternative to expensive cable subscriptions in the U.S, offering an attractive bundle of more than 100 live channels as well as an endless array of on-demand movies.

$89.99/month | 137 channels | 5 days free trial

2. DIRECTV

Named the "best all-around streaming service for cord-cutters" by Rolling Stone, DIRECTV tries to be all the good things about cable without any of the hassle. It has a big selection of channels, possibly the best stream quality in the market, and great DVR capability. For example, unlike with competitor Youtube TV, your DVR recordings on DirecTV will be the same quality as the live stream (often in 4K). The service also comes with a decent monthly price tag, and Netflix-style practicality that allows you to stream Live TV from anywhere by downloading the app. Within your home, you can stream on up to 20 devices (!), and from outside your home you can stream on up to three devices.

$88.99/month | 105 channels | 3 days free trial

3. Hulu with Live TV

The "Hulu + Live TV" plan mixes Hulu's exclusive offering of Originals with around 90 TV channels (the channels available depend on where you live). If you already have Hulu, getting the Live TV addition is usually cheaper than subscribing to another Live TV service. And if when you want to cancel the Live TV plan, you can click "cancel" on Hulu which will give you the option to keep the On-Demand part while canceling the Live TV.

$82.99/month | 143 channels | 7 days free trial

4. YouTube TV

Youtube TV has quickly grown into one of the best choices for Live TV, offering both local and national channels like ESPN, CNN, Comedy Central, and others. Youtube TV's marketing claims that by getting the platform, you could save up to $500 a year on cable. One major draw of the platform is unlimited cloud DVR storage that's included in the $82.99 plan. It's also one of the most widely available Live TV streaming services, as you can get it on virtually every device from Fire TV to XBOX to Smart TV brands like LG.

How to cancel ESPN free trials?

Exploring live TV streaming services with a free trial is a fantastic way to see if they fit your needs, especially if you're looking to watch channels like ESPN without a traditional cable subscription. However, if you decide not to continue with the service after the trial, it's crucial to cancel correctly to avoid being charged. The exact steps can vary slightly from one service to another, but here's a general guide for some popular options that carry ESPN:

DirecTV Stream: To cancel your DirecTV Stream free trial, you typically need to visit their website and log into your account. Look for account management or subscription settings. There should be an option to cancel your service or trial. Be sure to complete all steps before your trial end date.
Fubo: If you started a free trial with Fubo, you can usually cancel through the "My Account" section on the Fubo website. Navigate to your subscription or billing settings and look for the cancellation option. Confirm your cancellation to ensure the trial ends without charge.
YouTube TV: Canceling a YouTube TV free trial is generally done through your account settings on the YouTube TV website or app. Find the Membership section, and there should be a "Manage" or "Cancel Membership" option. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the cancellation before your trial expires.
Hulu with Live TV: For a Hulu with Live TV free trial, head to your Account page on the Hulu website or a mobile browser. Under your subscription details, you should find a cancellation link. You might be offered an option to pause first, but if you want to fully cancel, proceed through the steps to confirm.

For any service, always make note of your trial end date. We made sure to include your expected trial date in the “features” subsection of every streaming service above (if you subscribe today).

Which Sports Are Still on ESPN?

The flagship ESPN linear channels – including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU – remain a go-to destination for watching a huge variety of live sports and popular studio programming. Access to these channels typically comes as part of a subscription package from a traditional cable or satellite TV provider, or through a live TV streaming service.

These channels broadcast many of the biggest leagues and events that sports fans follow closely, such as:

American Football: The iconic Monday Night Football from the NFL and extensive college football coverage, including key regular season matchups, major bowl games, and often the College Football Playoff.
Basketball: NBA regular season and playoff games, the NBA Finals (often simulcast on ABC and ESPN), and significant men's and women's college basketball, highlighted by the excitement of the NCAA Tournament ("March Madness").
Baseball: Select MLB regular season games.
Ice Hockey: Select NHL regular season and Stanley Cup Playoff games, including the Stanley Cup Final (also seen on ABC).
Combat Sports: Significant Top Rank Boxing events and some UFC broadcasts.
Soccer: Matches from top international leagues like La Liga and the Bundesliga, as well as coverage of the FA Cup and major international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup.
Golf: Coverage of major tournaments including The Masters, the PGA Championship, and various PGA Tour events.
Tennis: Extensive coverage of Grand Slam tournaments including the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

In addition to broadcasting live games, the main ESPN channels are home to beloved studio shows that provide news, analysis, and lively debate. Popular examples include the flagship "SportsCenter," along with shows like "First Take," "Pardon the Interruption" (PTI), "Around the Horn," and "NFL Live," keeping fans informed and entertained with insights from experts and analysts.