How to Watch the 2026 ESPY Awards Online for Free

· Rolling Stone

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The ESPYS are back tonight to crown the best players, moments, and achievements of the past year in sports. This year’s ceremony will be held at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City, and will be hosted by SNL star and comedian Marcello Hernández. As always, the show will also help raise charitable funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

At a Glance: How to Stream the 2026 ESPY Awards Online

ESPYS winners are determined by fans, who will vote for star players including A’ja Wilson, Jalen Brunson, Shohei Ohtani, and Lionel Messi. Nominees for Best Team include the Las Vegas Aces, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Indiana Hoosiers, and the New York Knicks, among others.

Between awards, viewers and attendees will also be treated to performances from the likes of De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, and Slick Rick.

When Are the 2026 ESPY Awards? Date, Start Time

The 2026 ESPY Awards are taking place on Wednesday, July 15. The main show starts at 8 p.m. ET after a preview show that starts at 7 p.m. ET.

Where to Stream the 2026 ESPY Awards Online for Free

The ESPYS air on (shocker) ESPN, but cord-cutters have a few ways to livestream the ESPY Awards online without a cable subscription. Here’s a breakdown of four options; all (except Fubo) offer free trials that you can use to watch the ESPYS for free online.

editor’s Pick

DirecTV

get free trial

➤ Five-day free trial
➤ $44.99/month
➤ Up to 185+ channels

Our favorite overall live-TV streaming service is DirecTV, which offers ESPN coverage in its MySports Genre Pack and all of its larger Signature Packages. All plans start with a five-day free trial. MySports is the cheapest package, after the trial, at $49.99 for your first month and $64.99 a month after that.

YouTube TV

get free trial

➤ 5-21-day free trial
➤ $64.99/month
➤ Up to 100+ channels

ESPN is included in all of YouTube TV’s plans, which come with a free trial between five and 21 days. After the free trial ends, YouTube TV starts at $54.99 for your first month and $64.99 a month thereafter.

Fubo

get free trial

➤ $64.99/month
➤ Up to 300+ channels

Cord cutters can also stream the ESPYS with Fubo, which carries the channel in all three of its plans. These start at $64.99 a month, but you get a discount on your first month.

ESPN Unlimited

sign up

➤ $29.99 a month / $299.99 a year

The ESPYS, along with all other ESPN content, can also be livestreamed on ESPN Unlimited. The stand-alone service costs $29.99 a month and does not currently offer a free trial.