ESPN+ is often misunderstood by football fans in North America.
Some assume it is just an extension of the ESPN broadcast channel, which would make it redundant.
Others assume it covers everything including the Champions League, which it does not.
The accurate picture is more useful than either assumption.
ESPN+ is a dedicated streaming layer that gives North American fans live access to La Liga, Bundesliga, and a range of other European competitions that rarely appear on free television in the region, at a monthly cost that makes the per-match value strong across a full season.
Here is exactly what it covers, what it does not, and how to get it running on your device.
What Football Does ESPN+ Cover
ESPN+ holds live rights for the following football competitions in North America.
European Leagues
- La Liga (extensive live coverage across all 38 matchdays)
- Bundesliga (extensive live coverage across all 34 matchdays, shared with fuboTV)
- Eredivisie (extensive coverage)
- EFL Championship (full season coverage)
- Scottish Premiership (select matches)
- Primeira Liga (select matches)
International Competitions
- Copa América (select matches)
- CONCACAF Gold Cup (select matches)
- UEFA Nations League (select matches)
- FIFA World Cup qualifying (select matches)
Women’s Football
- NWSL (full season)
- FA Women’s Super League (select matches)
What ESPN+ Does Not Cover
- UEFA Champions League (exclusively on Paramount+ in North America)
- UEFA Europa League (exclusively on Paramount+ in North America)
- Premier League (on Peacock and NBC in North America)
- Serie A (primarily on Paramount+ in North America)
| Competition | Available on ESPN+ |
|---|---|
| La Liga | Yes, extensive |
| Bundesliga | Yes, extensive |
| Champions League | No |
| Premier League | No |
| Eredivisie | Yes |
| NWSL | Yes, full season |
Key Features of the ESPN+ App
The deepest La Liga and Bundesliga coverage in North America
ESPN+ carries more live La Liga and Bundesliga matches per season than any other single platform in the region.
For fans who follow either league through a complete season, this is the defining reason to subscribe.
ESPN ecosystem integration
ESPN+ is not a separate app.
It is a subscription tier within the main ESPN app, which also provides free access to live scores, news, standings, and analysis across every competition.
Subscribing to ESPN+ unlocks the live streams while keeping you inside the same interface you already use for scores and match coverage.
Consistent performance across the season
Stream quality is reliable during regular matchdays and the high-demand final rounds of La Liga and Bundesliga.
Full replay library
Every ESPN+ match is available on demand after the live broadcast ends, with full replays and highlight packages accessible for the complete season.
Broad device compatibility
ESPN+ works on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, and most smart TVs.
How to Download and Install the ESPN+ App Step by Step
ESPN+ is accessed through the ESPN app. There is no separate ESPN+ application.
On Android
- Open the Google Play Store and search for ESPN.
- Install the official ESPN app from ESPN Inc. and open it.
- Tap Sign Up to create a free ESPN account with your email and a password.
- Go to Account and select Start ESPN+ Subscription.
- Choose your plan and complete the payment.
- Tap Football or Soccer to access today’s live La Liga and Bundesliga fixtures.
On iPhone or iPad
- Open the App Store and install the official ESPN app.
- Open the app and tap Sign Up.
- Register with your email and a password.
- Go to Account settings and tap Start ESPN+ Subscription.
- Choose a plan. Payments through the App Store are billed via Apple.
- Navigate to Football to find today’s live schedule.
On a Smart TV or Streaming Device
- Search for ESPN in your device’s app store and install it.
- Open the app and sign in with your ESPN account.
- If the app shows an activation code, visit ESPN.com/activate on your phone and enter the code to complete setup.
Is ESPN+ Worth It
For North American fans of La Liga or Bundesliga specifically, ESPN+ is one of the most cost-efficient subscriptions available in the region.
The volume of live matches across a full season at a single monthly price makes the per-match cost low compared to most competing options.
The honest gap to communicate clearly: Champions League and Europa League are not on ESPN+.
Fans who follow UEFA club competitions need Paramount+ for that coverage, not ESPN+.
Fans who follow both the European domestic leagues and UEFA club competitions typically subscribe to both.
The combined monthly cost of ESPN+ and Paramount+ is still lower than most traditional cable sports packages, and neither requires a long-term contract.
