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

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.

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:

Why You Need a VPN Today

However, first you need a VPN to unblock US streaming services from . Our favourite is ExpressVPN. It’s definitely not the cheapest option at $4.99/month, but it just works – and across all your devices.

They have servers in 25+ US cities/states and 105 countries, which unblock access to premium streaming platforms available only in the US, as well as free “on demand” TV services worldwide.

You’ll have access to local platforms as if you were in the country, meaning you can watch BBC iPlayer as if you were in the UK, CBC Gem as if you were in Canada, plus hundreds more worldwide.

Sign Up for ExpressVPN

Hotdog users get three months free at ExpressVPN, so it’s a “no-brainer” for us. Decide for yourself with their 30 day money-back guarantee.

IMPORTANT: Once you’ve installed your VPN and connected to a US server, you’ll still need to subscribe separately to access premium streaming services.

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.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

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

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.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

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 free trial.

See the following guides for more:

• Fubo Review
• Fubo Packages
• Fubo Local Channels
• Fubo Devices.

Sling TV

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.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

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 STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) offers numerous packages, but their base plan (Entertainment) includes only ESPN and ESPN2 for $86.99/month. If you upgrade to the Choice plan for $114.99/month, you can watch ESPNU, ESPNews, ACC Network, and SEC Network.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free Trial

DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice plan is pricier than the likes of Fubo and Hulu, though it includes 100+ channels overall, along with access to DIRECTV STREAM’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 STREAM 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 STREAM review.

Hulu + Live TV

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.

Get Hulu + Live TV Free

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:

• Hulu + Live TV Review
• Hulu + Live TV Packages
• Hulu + Live TV Local Channels.

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

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.

Wrapping Up

Watching ESPN2 through streaming services is relatively easy and you have plenty of streaming services to choose from. Most of these subscriptions plans are rolling contracts, so you can cancel any time with little commitment.

You either have a free trial, money-back guarantee, or a low-cost introductory month. So what are you waiting for?

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Frank Moraes

I am a Senior Content Editor at Hotdog.com, specializing in sports streaming and regional programming issues. With a PhD in Atmospheric Physics from the Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and extensive experience in remote sensing technology, including early video streaming, I bring a unique technical perspective to the streaming industry.

My expertise in sports coverage, particularly for out-of-market games and regional sports networks, stems from years of hands-on experience as an early adopter of streaming services and my work addressing fans' viewing challenges. As a longtime cord-cutter and subscriber to multiple streaming platforms, I combine my technical knowledge with practical user experience, making me a leading expert in the field of sports streaming and entertainment technology.

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