ESPN+ VS DAZN: The Best Live Sports Streaming Services?

ESPN+ and DAZN both target cord-cutting sports fans, but they serve very different audiences. ESPN+ costs $9.99/month and covers US pro and college sports, while DAZN runs $19.99/month and focuses on boxing, MMA, and international soccer. Here is how they compare across pricing, content, devices, and availability.

#What Does ESPN+ Offer?

ESPN+ gives you access to thousands of live sports events and original shows not available on ESPN’s TV channels.

• Cost – $9.99/month or $99.99/year

• Sports – MLB, NHL, La Liga, FA Cup, MLS, UFC, PGA, Grand Slam Tennis, College Sports

• Original Shows – Detail with Kobe Bryant, ESPN FC, 30 for 30 films, E60

• Supported Devices – Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, web browsers, iOS, Android

• Availability – Only available in the United States

#ESPN+ Highlights

• Lower price point than DAZN

• Tons of college sports coverage

• Extensive MLB, NHL games and content

• Live UFC fight nights and PPVs

• Thousands of live events streamed annually

#What Does DAZN Offer?

DAZN wants to be the “Netflix for sports” with affordable access to boxing, MMA and other live events.

• Cost – $19.99/month or $99.99/year

• Sports – Boxing, MMA, J League, NFL, Premier League, Champions League, Serie A (availability varies by region)

• Supported Devices – Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, Smart TVs, iOS, Android

• Availability – Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, USA

#DAZN Highlights

• One central hub for combat sports

• More affordable access to marquee boxing/MMA fights

• Flexible month-to-month pricing

• Large on-demand library between events

• International soccer leagues available (based on region)

#How Do ESPN+ and DAZN Compare on Price?

Now that you know the basics, here is how these two services stack up across the most important factors.

#Cost Comparison

At $9.99/month, ESPN+ costs half of what DAZN charges at $19.99/month.

DAZN does offer more flexibility with no long-term contracts. You can cancel monthly if needed. ESPN+ charges upfront for the full year at $99.99 for its annual plan.

Both services give you access to tons of content for under $20/month, providing great value compared to alternatives:

Based on the numbers, ESPN+ wins on price for streaming access to sports.

#Content Libraries

Both platforms offer extensive libraries of live and on-demand sports content:

ESPN+ Content

• Live Events – 10,000+ live games and events streamed annually from MLB, MLS, NHL, La Liga, Grand Slam tennis, PGA Events, College Football, College Basketball, UFC Fight Nights, International Soccer and more

• Original Series – Peyton’s Places, Detail with Kobe Bryant, ESPN FC, 30 for 30 films, E60, UFC Destined, Dana White’s Contender Series, NHL Rooms, Stephen A’s World

• On-Demand – Event replays, highlights, analysis shows, sports docuseries

ESPN+ Originals range from Eli Manning breaking down NFL film to Peyton Manning exploring football’s history to Kobe Bryant’s deep NBA analysis. There is something for every type of sports fan.

DAZN Content

• Live Events – 350+ annual fights nights and events from Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy, Bellator MMA, Combate Americas

• Original Series – 40 DAYS, The Making Of, ONE PIECE

• On-Demand – Event replays, highlights, shoulder programming

DAZN zeros in on combat sports fans, providing extensive libraries of boxing and MMA events. Between marquee fight nights and deep replays available on-demand, it’s a top choice for hardcore fans.

Availability of soccer leagues like Serie A varies greatly by region. Accessing top soccer requires connecting via VPN to DAZN Canada or DAZN Italy.

For general sports fans, ESPN+ has the content advantage with broader coverage. But if you only care about boxing and MMA, DAZN has the stronger combat sports library.

#Platform and Device Support

You can watch both ESPN+ and DAZN across popular mobile, TV streaming, desktop and game console platforms:

ESPN+ Supported Devices

• Web Browsers

• iOS Phones & Tablets

• Android Phones & Tablets

• Apple TV

• Amazon Fire TV

• Roku

• PlayStation 4/5

• Xbox One, Series X, Series S

• Oculus Go

• Chromecast

• Xfinity

• Cox Contour

• Samsung Smart TVs (beta)

DAZN Supported Devices

• Web Browsers

• iOS Phones & Tablets

• Android Phones & Tablets

• Apple TV

• Amazon Fire TV

• Google Chromecast

• LG Smart TVs

• Panasonic Smart TVs

• Hisense Smart TVs

• Samsung Smart TVs

• Sony Smart TVs

• Vizio SmartCast TVs

• Xbox One, Series X, Series S

• PlayStation 4/5

Both services support all major mobile, TV, game console and smart TV platforms. It’s a draw for devices and platforms.

#Regional Availability

Here’s where things differ greatly. ESPN+ only works in the United States while DAZN has launched in 9 countries so far:

ESPN+ Availability

• 🇺🇸 Available only in United States

Without a VPN service, ESPN+ blocks access for international viewers abroad.

DAZN Availability

• 🇦🇹 Austria

• 🇧🇷 Brazil

• 🇨🇦 Canada

• 🇩🇪 Germany

• 🇮🇹 Italy

• 🇯🇵 Japan

• 🇨🇭 Switzerland

• 🇺🇸 United States

DAZN continues expanding internationally, but content libraries and prices vary across borders.

For Americans seeking domestic sports coverage, ESPN+ takes it. DAZN has the edge for expat sports fans and global viewers. A VPN can bypass geographic restrictions on both services.

#Bottom Line

So which sports streaming service should you choose?

#ESPN+ Wins For:

• Lower monthly and yearly pricing

• Best for fans seeking diverse US pro/college sports

• Superior MLB, NHL, La Liga and college football coverage

• Originals spanning wider range of US sports

• Strong complement to an existing ESPN/Disney bundle

#DAZN Wins For:

• Top pick for loyal boxing and MMA fans

• Flexible cancel-anytime month to month pricing

• Leading choice for soccer abroad with VPN assist

• Central hub for combat sports live events and replays

• Active global expansion reaching more countries

For most American sports viewers seeking local mainstream leagues, ESPN+ is the streamer to beat thanks to its affordability, broad domestic sports rights, and tight integration as an ESPN add-on.

Niche super-fans of boxing, MMA and soccer abroad should subscribe to DAZN as their go-to combat sports and international football provider. Availability restrictions can be bypassed using a quality VPN.

The great news is you don’t have to choose just one. With these prices, plenty of fans happily use both ESPN+ and DAZN to cover all their cord-cutting sports needs.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#Is ESPN+ worth the price compared to DAZN?

ESPN+ delivers strong value at $9.99/month, especially for fans of MLB, NHL, MLS, and college sports. It streams over 10,000 live events per year, which is roughly 30 times what DAZN offers in raw event count. If your main interest is US pro and college sports, ESPN+ gives you more content per dollar.

#Can you watch boxing on ESPN+?

ESPN+ carries some boxing events, but its combat sports coverage leans toward UFC fight nights and PPVs. DAZN is the dedicated platform for boxing, hosting 350+ fight nights annually from promoters like Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy. For consistent boxing coverage, DAZN is the better fit.

#Does DAZN work outside the United States?

Yes. DAZN operates in 9 countries including Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Austria, and Switzerland. Content libraries differ by region, though. In Italy and Canada, DAZN carries major soccer leagues, while the US version focuses more on combat sports.

#Can you use ESPN+ and DAZN on Roku?

Both services run on Roku devices. ESPN+ and DAZN also support Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, and Android. Device support is nearly identical between the two platforms.

#What sports does DAZN have that ESPN+ doesn’t?

DAZN carries Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, and Bellator MMA events that are not available on ESPN+. Depending on your region, DAZN also offers Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, and J League soccer. ESPN+ does not carry any of these leagues.

#Do ESPN+ or DAZN require a long-term contract?

Neither service locks you into a contract. Both offer month-to-month plans you can cancel anytime. ESPN+ and DAZN each have annual plans at $99.99/year that save money over 12 monthly payments, but these are optional.

#Which service is better for watching soccer?

It depends on the league. ESPN+ carries La Liga, FA Cup, MLS, and some international friendlies within the US. DAZN offers Champions League, Serie A, and Premier League in select countries outside the US. If you are based in the US, ESPN+ has stronger domestic soccer rights.

#Can you watch ESPN+ or DAZN with a VPN?

A VPN can bypass geographic restrictions on both platforms, but results vary. ESPN+ blocks most VPN connections aggressively, while DAZN has historically been more accessible through VPN services. Keep in mind that using a VPN may violate each service’s terms of use.