Watch ESPN2 Without Cable Now (and Stay Ahead of Sports Action for Less)

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Written by Frank Moraes Senior Content Editor

Over the years, I have watched ESPN grow into one of the most important sports networks, now featuring over a dozen sports channels. As part of this huge network, ESPN2 has become accessible to me without needing a cable subscription.

Watch Espn2 from Anywhere with ExpressVPN

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In a hurry? If you don’t care about the details of ESPN2 and all its related channels, you can try these three streaming services to watch ESPN2, and more:

Watch Espn2 Live Tonight

All three services carry Espn2. Pick based on your budget:

Best Overall

185+ channels including Espn2, all major sports networks, and local channels. 7-day free trial – watch tonight, cancel anytime. Best if you want one service that “just works”, without piecing together bundles.

From $79.99/mo after free trial

Start Fubo Free Trial ↗︎

Includes 7-day free trial · Read our review

Lowest Price

Carries Espn2 from $45.99/mo – roughly half the price of Fubo. Add channel packs if you want more. The lowest-cost route for Espn2, if you are happy with a smaller bundle.

Try Sling TV Now ↗︎

Read our review

Away from home? If your content is blocked, a VPN helps you keep streaming. Our top pick is ExpressVPN.

Watch ESPN2 Via Online Streaming

ESPN2 and its sister networks broadcast live sporting events for basically every mainstream sport at both the collegiate and professional levels. Similarly, popular shows such as SportsCenter, Get Up, and First Take can all be caught on ESPN2.

But there are also ESPN2-specific shows like College Football Saturday Primetime and Garage.

Like all other ESPN channels, ESPN2 is a pay service. It is not available over the air so you can’t watch it via an antenna. You must get it from a third-party provider. Traditionally, this meant a cable or satellite company. But now, ESPN2 is widely-supported by live TV streaming services.

Normally, ESPN2 will come with at least one other ESPN channel — almost always with ESPN, but also with ESPNU, ESPNews, various college league channels, and more.

To stream ESPN2, you need the following:

  • Internet connection: Most of the time, high-speed internet isn’t necessary — generally 8 mbps is fine.
  • Streaming device: Almost all streaming services support smart TVs, mobiles, tablets, and other devices.
  • Streaming service: All the major services provide ESPN, and you’ll need a subscription with one of them.

Streaming Services with ESPN

ESPN2 is a premium channel, so only the larger streaming services provide it. In fact, at one time, the sports-focused Fubo didn’t offer it. All of the following services do, however.

Speaking of Fubo, read on to find out what else you get alongside ESPN2 with major streaming providers.

Fubo

fubotv logo
Base ChannelsESPN, ESPN2
ESPN Add-onsESPNews, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes
Total Channels150+
Cloud DVR1000 hours
Simultaneous Screens10
Free Trial
FuboTV Price$79.99/month

Fubo is well-known for its big collection of live sports channels. It is a great overall streaming service with 150+ channels, including ESPN and ESPN2. However, Fubo isn’t focused on ESPN in their base plan.

Start Fubo Free Trial ↗︎

Includes 7-day free trial · Read our review

If you want the full range of ESPN channels, you should opt for the Fubo Extra add-on for $7.99/mo, which adds ESPNU, ESPNews, ACCN, and SEC Network.

The base Fubo plan comes with many other sports channels including NFL Network, FS1, FS2, 9 beIN Sports, 4 Big Ten, Golf Channel, 12 TUDN, and more. This package costs $79.99/month. If you want, you can upgrade to the Sports Plus add-on with 26 more channels including NFL RedZone, MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network.

Fubo also comes with excellent coverage of the local network affiliates (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) and general cable channels like Disney, HGTV, and USA.

You can record up to unlimited cloud DVR and stream on ten devices simultaneously. If you are unsure about subscribing, they offer a .

See the following guides for more:

  • Fubo Review
  • Fubo Packages
  • Fubo Local Channels
  • Fubo Devices.
ESPN2 FuboTV
ESPN2 as part of Fubo’s live TV guide.

Sling TV

Sling TV Logo
Base ChannelsESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3
ESPN Add-onsESPNews, ESPNU
Total Channels30+
Cloud DVR50 hours
Simultaneous Screens1
Free Trial
Sling TV Price$45.99/month

Sling TV is an ideal low-cost streaming service. The Sling Orange plan is only $45.99/month and you get 30+ channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. The inclusion of ESPN3 is notable because most streaming services provide access to it only via the ESPN app — not in their channel guide as Sling TV does.

Try Sling TV Now ↗︎

Read our review

You can get most ESPN branded channels with the Sports Extra add-on for $11/mo. This gives you ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Longhorn Network, SEC Network, SEC Network+, and Pac-12 Network. What’s more, you get MLB Network, MLB StrikeZone, NBA TV, and NHL Network. That’s quite a sports channel selection for a total of $51/mo.

Other than that, you can record up to 50 hours of cloud DVR. You are, however, limited to streaming on a single device at once. You can increase this to four simultaneous screens by getting the Orange + Blue plan for $60.99/month.

Find more info on Sling TV here:

  • Sling TV Review
  • Sling TV Packages
  • Sling TV Local Channels
  • Sling TV Devices
  • Sling TV F1 Australian Grand Prix
  • Sling TV NBA Playoffs
  • Sling TV NBA Play-In Tournament
  • Sling TV NBA Playoffs
  • Sling TV NBA Conference Semifinals
  • Sling TV NHL Playoffs
  • Sling TV NHL Playoff Schedule
  • Sling TV Stanley Cup Final
  • Sling TV WNBA Playoffs

DIRECTV

DIRECTV
Base ChannelsESPN, ESPN2
ESPN Add-onsESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes
Total Channels90+
Cloud DVRUnlimited (online signup)
Simultaneous ScreensUnlimited
Free Trial*
DIRECTV Price$59.99/month

DIRECTV (formerly AT&T TV) offers numerous packages, but their base plan (Entertainment) includes only ESPN and ESPN2 for $59.99/month. If you upgrade to the Choice plan for $64.99/month, you can watch ESPNU, ESPNews, ACC Network, and SEC Network.

Start DIRECTV Free Trial ↗︎

Includes 5-day free trial · Read our review

DIRECTV’s Choice plan is pricier than the likes of Fubo and Hulu, though it includes 100+ channels overall, along with access to DIRECTV’s unmatched selection of regional sports networks. It also includes free HBO MAX for three months.

You can record endless hours of your favorite content thanks to Unlimited Cloud DVR storage. DIRECTV also allows you to stream on unlimited devices in your home simultaneously, which is great for large households and groups.

Find out more in our DIRECTV review.

Hulu + Live TV

hulu logo
Base ChannelsESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU
ESPN Add-onsESPN Deportes
Total Channels100+
Cloud DVRUnlimited (9 months storage)
Simultaneous Screens2
Free Trial
Hulu Price$82.99/month

Hulu + Live TV is one of the most popular live TV streaming services. It includes Hulu’s popular on-demand service as well as 100+ live channels, including ESPN2. This plan is $82.99/month, and it offers various regional, entertainment, sports, and family channels.

Start Hulu + Live TV Free Trial ↗︎

Includes 3-day free trial · Read full review

In addition to ESPN2, Hulu Live offers ESPN, ESPNews, and ESPNU. You also get college league channels like ACC Network, SEC Network, and SEC Network+, and general sports channels like FS1, FS2, and CBS Sports Network.

Hulu + Live TV features a good overall selection of channels including local affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in most locations.

You can record unlimited cloud DVR with 9 months of storage and simultaneously stream on up to two devices.

For more information, see:

Other Ways to Get ESPN2

There are other ways to watch ESPN, including:

  • YouTube TV: General streaming service with ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU for $82.99/month.
  • ESPN App: The interface for all the ESPN channels. You must have a streaming service log-in to get this. And to access the ESPN+ content, you need an additional subscription.

TVs and Devices to Watch ESPN2

Sling TV ESPN2 Android
Android phone running Sling TV with ESPN2.

All the services we’ve highlighted allow you to stream ESPN2 on most TVs or devices you already own.

TV Devices and Smart TVs

Most of the streaming services support Samsung smart TVs.

Fubo, Hulu, and Sling TV all support LG smart TVs. And Fubo supports Hisense TVs.

All mentioned services support the following streaming devices that plug into TVs to allow them to run apps:

  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Apple TV
  • Roku

Chromecast is a similar device that allows you to cast from a device and have it display on your TV.

Mobile Devices

The main mobile operating systems are supported by all the streaming services:

  • Android Phones
  • iOS devices (iPhones, iPads)

Any device with a web browser can display ESPN2 with these streaming services. What’s more, you can connect mobiles (via cast or cable) to TVs.

Gaming Consules

Hulu, Fubo and Sling TV allow you to stream ESPN2 on Xbox One. Hulu also supports PlayStation and Echo Show. And VR fans can use Oculus VR to watch Sling TV.

Our Choice

After trying out several streaming platforms, I found Fubo to be the ultimate pick for watching ESPN2. Its diverse channel selection covers ESPN2 and other key sports networks, offering exceptional value. The video quality is consistently reliable, and the intuitive interface makes it simple to use. Fubo’s recording options are top-notch, letting me save live games with ease. It works seamlessly across various devices, so I can catch the action wherever I am. While other services fell short in channel variety or ease of navigation, Fubo stood apart with its all-around dependability. For sports fans wanting a hassle-free and budget-friendly streaming option, Fubo is the clear winner.

Update history

This page was revised 9 times between August 2021 and May 2023.

Added links to streaming services. Additional links. Reworded some things.

Updated some sub-sections. Updated some section headings. Image changes.

Added VPN info. Added links.

Added buttons for streaming services. Pricing updates. Put related links. Changed a few bits of content.

Mentioned channel info. Updated some sub-sections. Pricing updates. Image changes. Cleaned up list.

Image changes. Added a few links. Pricing updates.

Pricing updates. Updated some sub-sections. More links. Cleaned up list.

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Frank Moraes
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