ESPN raises streaming prices ahead of football season
ESPN is preparing to raise the price of several of its streaming subscription plans, with increases set to take effect on Sept. 17—just in time for the 2026 football season. The changes, reported by Media Play News and outlined on the ESPN website, will affect the company's main streaming tiers and bundled offerings.
The ESPN Unlimited plan will rise by $2 per month to $31.99, an increase that amounts to $20 more annually, bringing the yearly cost to $319.99. ESPN Select, formerly known as ESPN+, will see a $1 monthly increase to $13.99, or $139.99 per year. Additionally, the bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and the lower-tier ESPN Select will go from $20 to $22 per month for ad-supported services, and from $30 to $33 per month for ad-free access.
The announcements come without an immediate stated reason for the price hikes. However, the increases follow a broader trend in the streaming industry. As noted by CableTV.com, streaming platforms like Netflix—once positioned as a cheaper alternative to cable—have been steadily raising their prices over the past decade. Netflix's standard plan, for example, cost $7.99 per month from 2011 to 2013 with no ads and the ability to share across multiple households; it now costs $19.99 for an ad-free standard plan that allows one additional person on the account.
Industry context
Streaming services are also facing growing competition from ad-supported free platforms such as Tubi. So much so that major services like Netflix and Disney are reportedly considering introducing ad-supported free tiers themselves, a move that would reflect the shifting economics of the streaming market. ESPN, which is owned by Disney, is the latest service to adjust its pricing in this environment.
For subscribers, the new rates will take effect on Sept. 17, and those holding any of the affected plans will see the changes applied to their next billing cycle after that date.