ESPN+ vs Fubo — Sports Add-On versus Full Live-TV Bundle
Updated 2026-04-24
TL;DR
ESPN+ is a single app / add-on at $11.99/mo, anchored on UFC PPV (events $79.99 each), NCAA college sports, MLB out-of-market games, and a slice of lower-tier Premier League — but it does NOT carry the linear ESPN / ESPN2 / SEC Network channels. Fubo is a full live-TV bundle at $79.99/mo that includes those linear ESPN feeds + NFL / NBA national + regional RSNs. Bottom line: UFC and small-college sports → ESPN+; the full US-sports TV experience → Fubo. The two don't conflict and are often subscribed together (~$92/mo).
| Dimension | ESPN+ | Fubo |
|---|---|---|
| Product positioning | Disney sports add-on (single app) | Full live-TV OTT bundle |
| Service regions | US + territories | US + territories (separate Fubo Canada) |
| Starting price | $11.99/mo or $119.99/year | Pro $79.99/mo |
| Linear ESPN channels | Not included (ESPN+ exclusive content only) | Includes ESPN / ESPN2 / SECN / ACCN |
| UFC PPV | Exclusive ($79.99 per event, subscriber-gated) | Not available — need ESPN+ separately |
| NFL coverage | Monday Night Football (select seasons) | ESPN MNF + CBS / FOX / NBC Sunday + Thursday Night (NFL Network) |
| MLB / NHL / NBA | MLB out-of-market (1 per Sunday) + NHL national (select) | ESPN / TNT NBA national + RSN MLB / NHL home-team games |
| Premier League / UCL | Premier League 7 lower-tier matches/week (the Peacock-leftover slot) | Premier League select seasons + UCL select seasons (via CBS / Paramount+ deals) |
Verdict
UFC PPV, NCAA college (basketball / lower-tier football), MLB out-of-market → ESPN+ $11.99/mo. Linear ESPN / ESPN2 / SECN + mainstream NFL / NBA / MLB national + RSN (your home team's games) → Fubo $79.99/mo. Hardcore fans (UFC + full channels) often subscribe to both (~$92/mo) — same effect as a cable sports tier at much lower cost. Both are US-IP gated 4-star VPN strictness, with Fubo adding a payment-country match. Disney households may prefer the Disney Bundle ($14.99/mo with Disney+ / Hulu / ESPN+) for better value.