You’re sitting on the couch, the chips are bowl-ready, and the pre-game hype is reaching a fever pitch. You open the app. You scroll. You click. Then, the dreaded spinning wheel or, worse, a "content not available" message. It’s the nightmare scenario for the biggest sporting event of the year. If you are currently wondering is Super Bowl on ESPN+, the answer isn't a simple yes or no—it depends entirely on who holds the broadcast rights for that specific year.
The NFL operates on a rotating carousel. CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC/ESPN pass the Super Bowl trophy around like a hot potato. Because Disney owns both ABC and ESPN, their "year" in the rotation means a massive multi-platform blitz. But here’s the kicker: just because a game is on "ESPN" doesn't automatically mean it's streaming on "ESPN+."
The confusing reality of NFL streaming rights
Streaming has made watching football complicated. It used to be you just turned on the TV and found the channel. Now? You need a map. For the 2024 season (Super Bowl LIX), the game is actually on FOX. That means ESPN+ won't have it. If you're looking for the 2025 season (Super Bowl LX), that's when things get interesting for Disney subscribers.
ESPN+ is a "plus" service, not a mirror of the cable channel. That distinction trips up thousands of people every Sunday. While ESPN+ has exclusive rights to some International Series games in London or certain Monday Night Football alternate casts (like the ManningCast), it doesn't always carry the main broadcast feed found on the linear ESPN or ABC channels.
Honestly, the NFL's media contracts are the most expensive pieces of paper in entertainment history. We're talking about $110 billion over 11 years. When networks pay that much, they want to make sure you're either paying for a cable bundle or a very specific streaming tier.
When will the Super Bowl actually be on ESPN+?
The big date to circle on your calendar is February 2027. That is Super Bowl LXI. Under the current collective bargaining agreement and media rights deal, that specific game belongs to ABC and ESPN.
During that window, you can bet everything that is Super Bowl on ESPN+ will be a resounding "yes." Disney has been aggressive about "parity" lately. They want their streaming subscribers to feel like they aren't second-class citizens compared to cable cord-cutters. For Super Bowl LXI, the plan is a "simulcast." This means the game will run on the big ABC broadcast network, the ESPN cable channel, and the ESPN+ streaming app simultaneously.
But we aren't there yet.
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For the upcoming Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans (February 2025), you’ll need the FOX Sports app or a digital antenna. For Super Bowl LX in 2026, it moves over to NBC and Peacock. If you’re paying for ESPN+ specifically to catch the big game before 2027, you’re basically donating that monthly subscription fee to Disney for no reason—at least in terms of the Super Bowl.
Breaking down the rotation (Who has the game?)
- 2025 (Super Bowl LIX): FOX. You’ll find this on the FOX sports app or through a live TV provider like Fubo or Hulu + Live TV.
- 2026 (Super Bowl LX): NBC. This will be the "Peacock Bowl." Expect a heavy push for their streaming service here.
- 2027 (Super Bowl LXI): ABC/ESPN. This is the holy grail for ESPN+ users.
Why the "Plus" in ESPN+ is often misunderstood
People think ESPN+ is a digital version of the ESPN channel. It isn't. It's a supplemental library. It’s great for UFC fans, NHL junkies, and people who follow obscure college baseball conferences. But the NFL is the crown jewel. The NFL guards its "primary" broadcast rights with a level of intensity that would make a dragon guarding gold look chill.
Even when a game is on ESPN+, there are often geographic "blackout" rules or "authenticated" requirements. Authenticated means you still have to prove you pay for a cable company like Comcast or Spectrum. It’s annoying. It’s frustrating. It’s the current state of media.
However, Disney's CEO Bob Iger has been vocal about moving ESPN to a full "direct-to-consumer" (DTC) model. Eventually, the "Plus" might just become "ESPN," and you won't need a cable login at all. But for the Super Bowl specifically, the NFL dictates the terms, and they want the widest possible audience. That usually means over-the-air broadcast television (ABC) is the priority, with ESPN+ acting as a secondary funnel.
The ManningCast Factor
One reason people get confused about is Super Bowl on ESPN+ is the existence of "MegaCasts." ESPN loves to offer different ways to watch. You’ve got the traditional announcers, the StatCast, and the famous Peyton and Eli Manning broadcast.
In years where ESPN has the rights, the ManningCast often lives on ESPN+ or ESPN2. It’s a more relaxed, conversational way to watch the game. If you're a hardcore fan who hates the "corporate" feel of a standard Super Bowl broadcast, the 2027 game on ESPN+ will likely be your best friend because of these alternate feeds.
Technical hurdles you might face
Let's talk about the actual experience of streaming the biggest game on earth. Even if the Super Bowl is on ESPN+, your internet has to be a beast.
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- Latency issues: You will hear your neighbor scream "TOUCHDOWN!" about 30 seconds before you see the play happen on your screen. That's the reality of streaming.
- Bandwidth caps: A four-hour 4K stream can eat through data like a linebacker at a buffet.
- App crashes: Remember when HBO Max crashed during the Game of Thrones finale? The Super Bowl is ten times bigger.
If you are planning to watch on ESPN+ in 2027, make sure your app is updated at least 24 hours in advance. Don't wait until the kickoff. Everyone else will be hitting the servers at the exact same time, and that's when things break.
How to watch if it's NOT on ESPN+
Since we know the next few years are spoken for by FOX and NBC, you need a backup plan. You have three main routes.
First, the "Old School" way. Get a digital antenna. Seriously. They cost twenty bucks. If you live in a city, you get ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC for free, in high definition, with zero lag. It’s the most reliable way to watch the NFL. No subscriptions. No passwords. No "is Super Bowl on ESPN+" headaches.
Second, the "Cable Lite" route. Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV carry the local networks. They are expensive—sometimes $75 a month—but they guarantee you won't miss the game.
Third, the standalone apps. For 2025, you'll want the FOX Sports app. For 2026, you'll need Peacock. Peacock is actually pretty affordable compared to a full cable bundle, and they’ve been getting exclusive NFL games lately, like the Wild Card game that caused a massive stir among fans who didn't want to pay for another app.
The financial game behind the screen
Why is this so hard? Money. The NFL is the only thing left that everyone watches live. In a world of Netflix and TikTok, "live" is the only time advertisers can guarantee you won't skip their commercials.
A 30-second ad spot during the Super Bowl now costs roughly $7 million. Networks need every single pair of eyes they can get to justify that price tag. By splitting the rights between "traditional TV" (ABC) and "streaming" (ESPN+), Disney can double-dip. They get the older crowd on cable and the younger, cord-cutting crowd on the app.
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What about international fans?
If you're outside the United States, the answer to is Super Bowl on ESPN+ changes entirely. In many regions, the NFL Game Pass (now through DAZN) is the only way to go. ESPN+ is largely a domestic US product. If you're traveling during the Super Bowl, don't assume your US subscription will work. Geo-fencing is real, and it’s a buzzkill.
Is it worth keeping ESPN+ for the NFL?
If you're only keeping it for the Super Bowl? No. Absolutely not. Cancel it and come back in 2027.
But if you like the "behind the scenes" stuff, it’s a different story. Shows like NFL Primetime with Chris Berman are exclusive to the platform. They have extensive archives and documentaries. For a "football person," there’s enough value there to keep the sub active during the season. Just don't expect it to be a magic ticket to every single game, especially the big one in February.
The landscape is shifting, though. We're seeing more games move to Amazon Prime and Netflix. The NFL is testing the waters. They want to see how much we’re willing to pay and how many apps we’re willing to download. For now, the Super Bowl remains on "big TV," but the edges are starting to fray.
Actionable steps for your game day setup
Stop stressing about the broadcast five minutes before kickoff. Do these things instead:
- Check the Year: Verify which network has the rights. If it's not Disney/ABC, stop looking for it on ESPN+.
- Test Your Hardware: If you're going the antenna route, scan your channels now. Don't wait for Sunday afternoon.
- Audit Your Subscriptions: If the game is on NBC/Peacock or FOX, check if your current internet or phone plan gives you a free trial or a bundle deal. Many Verizon or T-Mobile plans include these streamers for free.
- Update the App: If it is a year where the game is on ESPN+, update the app on your Roku, Apple TV, or Smart TV a week early.
- Check Your Internet: Ensure you have at least 25 Mbps of dedicated download speed for a stable 4K stream. If your roommates are gaming in the other room, your Super Bowl stream is going to look like a Lego movie.
The most important takeaway is that the NFL media cycle is a loop. While is Super Bowl on ESPN+ might be a "no" this year, the platform is becoming increasingly vital to the NFL's future strategy. Eventually, every game will be available at the touch of a button, but for now, we're stuck in this weird middle ground between the cable era and the streaming future.
Get your antenna ready for 2025 and 2026. Keep your ESPN+ login handy for 2027. That’s the simplest way to ensure you aren't the only person in the group chat who doesn't know what happened during the halftime show.