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Where to watch the ESPYs: Live stream the 2025 awards ceremony

The ESPYs logo on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre.
THE ESPYs return to celebrate the best in sports. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The 2025 ESPYs have arrived, once again celebrating excellence in sports performance. We've compiled everything you need to know about where to watch the ESPYs.

Comedian Shane Gillis will host tonight's sports awards ceremony, which will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen, gymnast Simone Biles, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, the Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson, and the Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark are among some of the individuals nominated. The Florida Panthers, New York Liberty, Philadelphia Eagles, Oklahoma City Thunder, and UConn Huskies women's basketball program make up some of the team nominations.

Whether you have cable or you're seeking a live streaming alternative, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn all of the ways to tune in. If you don't want to read any further: ESPN Plus is our top recommendation for a cheap streaming service that will allow you to watch the ESPYs and other sports.

What channel are the ESPYs on?

The ESPYs will air on ABC in the US. The program will officially kick off at 8 p.m. ET, and pre-show coverage will be available on ESPN starting at 7 p.m.

Where to watch the ESPYs in the US

It's good news for cord-cutters since there are several ways to live stream the ESPYs without cable. ESPN Plus is one of the cheapest options. The streaming service costs $12 a month and unlocks select live streaming across the WNBA, NHL, NFL, and more. Fans will also be able to live stream the event through Disney Plus, or they can try saving money by bundling Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu through one of the Disney Plus bundles.

Best Value
ESPN Plus logo
ESPN+ (Monthly Plan)

ESPN Plus is designed for sports, giving subscribers access to live MLB, NHL, NFL, soccer, golf, and UFC fights. You can pay $12 monthly or go for an annual deal, which saves you about $20 a year. There's also a bundle with Hulu and Disney Plus, which offers an even better discount.

If you're looking for a little extra kick in your live streaming experience, then it might be time to try out a live TV streaming channel package that carries ABC. These streamers are more expensive than a standalone service like ESPN Plus, but they offer tons of channels in their lineups.

Sling TV is one of the most affordable live TV streaming packages on the market. The Blue plan carries 40+ popular channels, including ABC. However, availability for ABC and other local networks varies by region, so you should double-check your ZIP code before subscribing to ensure you can access the channel. Subscriptions start at $46 a month, but you can get 50% off your first month if you're a new user.

Sling blue logo
Sling Blue

Access 40+ channels for just $23 a month for your first month as a part of a special offer right now on Sling Blue where you can get 50% off. The best part about Sling is that you only pay for what you want and you're not tied to a long-term contract

DirecTV's MySports is another great way to tune into the ESPYs. The genre pack comes with about 20 popular sports networks, including ESPN, TNT, and ABC (in select regions). It also includes access to ESPN Plus, rounding out all of your sports streaming needs. The service costs $70 a month, and new users can get a five-day free trial.

DirecTV Stream logo
DirecTV MySports

DirecTV's MySports pack carries popular sports channels, from mainstays like ESPN to niche offerings like the ACC Network.

Fubo Pro carries broad ABC and ESPN coverage, in addition to 150+ other channels. Subscriptions cost $85 a month, but first-time customers can get $20 knocked off their first month of service after a seven-day free trial.

Fubo logo
Fubo Pro

Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it'll cost you extra.

How to watch the ESPYs from anywhere

If you're traveling away from home, you don't need to worry about missing out on the ESPYs. You can keep up with your usual apps and websites from anywhere with the help of a VPN, or virtual private network. VPNs are handy cybersecurity tools that enable you to alter the virtual location on your electronic devices, so your usual services work just like they would back home. Just keep in mind that the services we've highlighted require US methods of payment, so this option will work best for Americans who are simply traveling abroad at the moment.

NordVPN is our top recommendation right now. It's an easy-to-use option with great deals (including Amazon gift cards for subscribers who sign up for select 2-year contracts) and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more about it in our official NordVPN review.

NordVPN logo
NordVPN Plan

NordVPN is one of the top VPN services in the business. It offers excellent value with a strong selection of features and a low monthly price. A wide selection of international servers, high-end security, fast connections, and audited privacy protection have made the brand a household name in the world of VPNs.

Nominees for Best Athlete — Women's Sports

  • Simone Biles (Gymnastics, 2024 Olympic gold medalist)
  • Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Track & Field, 2024 Olympic gold medalist)
  • Gabby Thomas (Track & Field, 2024 Olympic gold medalist)
  • A'ja Wilson (WNBA, Las Vegas Aces)

Nominees for Best Athlete — Men's Sports

  • Josh Allen (NFL, Buffalo Bills)
  • Saquon Barkley (NFL, Philadelphia Eagles)
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (NFL, Oklahoma City Thunder)
  • Shohei Ohtani (MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers)

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.

Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

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