You’re staring at the schedule, the Crimson Tide or the Bulldogs are about to kickoff, and you’re frantically scrolling through your channel guide. It’s a classic Saturday morning panic. If you’re a cord-cutter, the question of whether you can get SEC Network on Sling TV isn't just a technicality—it’s a survival necessity for the fall.
Honestly, the short answer is yes. You can absolutely get it. But there is a catch that trips up a lot of people. You can’t just buy the cheapest "base" package and expect to see Kirby Smart or Brian Kelly on your screen. You’ve got to play the "extra" game.
SEC Network on Sling TV Explained Simply
Sling TV is famous for its "skinny bundle" approach, which is great for your wallet but kinda confusing for sports fans. To get the SEC Network, you specifically need the Sling Orange base plan.
Why Orange? Because that’s the package that holds the Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. Since the SEC Network is part of the ESPN family, it lives in the Orange ecosystem. If you buy Sling Blue—which is more for NFL fans who want FS1 and the NFL Network—you’re going to be disappointed when you try to find the SEC.
But even with Sling Orange, you’re not quite there yet. You have to add the Sports Extra pack. This is an additional monthly fee (usually around $11) on top of your base subscription. This add-on is what actually unlocks the SEC Network, along with the ACC Network, ESPNU, and NBA TV.
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The Breakdown of Costs and Channels
Let’s talk real numbers because "budget-friendly" is a relative term in 2026.
- Sling Orange Base: $45.99 per month.
- Sports Extra Add-on: $11.00 per month.
- Total Monthly Cost: Roughly $57.00 plus tax.
For that price, you're getting about 45+ channels. Compared to Fubo or YouTube TV, which are pushing past the $80 mark these days, it’s still a solid deal. You just have to be okay with the fact that Sling Orange only allows for one stream at a time. If you’re trying to watch the game in the living room while your kid wants to watch Disney Channel in the bedroom, someone is going to lose that fight.
What About SEC Network+?
This is where people get really confused. SEC Network+ isn't an actual TV channel you can flip to. It’s a digital platform for those "overflow" games—think smaller matchups, baseball, or gymnastics.
The good news? If you have Sling Orange plus the Sports Extra pack, you can use your Sling credentials to log into the ESPN App. Once you're in there, you’ll have full access to SEC Network+ content. It’s basically a "bonus" for being a subscriber, but you won't find it directly in the Sling channel guide.
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Why Most People Get the Setup Wrong
The most common mistake I see is people buying the Sling Blue + Orange combo (which costs about $60) and assuming it includes everything. It doesn't. Even if you have the "Everything" combo, you still have to add the Sports Extra package to get the SEC Network.
Another weird quirk? If you have the Blue + Orange combo, the Sports Extra pack actually costs a bit more—usually $15 instead of $11—because it includes more channels like NFL RedZone and the Big Ten Network.
If all you care about is SEC football, sticking to Sling Orange + Sports Extra is the most surgical, cost-effective way to do it.
Local Channels and the ABC Problem
Here’s a nuance that might annoy you. SEC games are increasingly moving to ABC. Sling is notorious for having limited local channel support. Depending on where you live, you might not get your local ABC station through Sling at all.
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However, there is a workaround. Most ABC games are simulcast on ESPN3. Since ESPN3 is included in the Sling Orange base package, you can usually catch the "Big Game" of the week even if you don't have your local ABC station.
Just keep in mind that the ESPN3 feed sometimes cuts off right as the clock hits zero, meaning you might miss the post-game trophy presentation or the coach's interview. If that bothers you, a cheap over-the-air antenna is a lifesaver.
Quick Checklist for SEC Fans
If you're ready to sign up, follow this specific path to ensure you don't miss kickoff:
- Sign up for Sling Orange. Don't get distracted by Blue unless you also need FS1 or NFL Network.
- Navigate to the "Add-ons" or "Extras" section in your account settings.
- Select the Sports Extra pack. Verify that the SEC Network logo is in the list.
- Download the ESPN App on your TV or phone.
- Use your Sling login to authenticate the ESPN app so you can access SEC Network+ and ESPN3.
One last thing—Sling is a month-to-month service. You can literally sign up on September 1st and cancel the day after the SEC Championship game in December. There are no contracts, so you aren't paying for a sports network in April when there isn't any football to watch.
Actionable Next Steps
To get started, go to the Sling TV website and check their current promotions. They almost always have a "half-off your first month" deal for new subscribers. If you time it right, you can get your first four weeks of SEC action for about $25 to $30 total. Once you're signed up, do a "dry run" a few days before the game to make sure you can log into the ESPN app successfully. There’s nothing worse than troubleshooting a login error five minutes before a rivalry game.