ESPN has taken another big step in its streaming strategy after Disney announced that ESPN on Disney+ is launching across 53 countries and territories in Europe and select Asia-Pacific markets. With the move, the company has expanded the service to roughly 100 markets around the world. The rollout gives Disney+ subscribers access to live sports, studio shows, films, and other ESPN programming, all inside the Disney+ app.
The initial offering will vary by market, but ESPN says it will grow to thousands of live events over the next year. That includes major U.S. sports coverage such as the NBA and NHL beginning with the 2026-27 season, along with college sports, March Madness, college football, the College Football Playoff, bowl games, the Little League World Series, Savannah Bananas games and more.
Disney+ subscribers in these markets will also get access to ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary library and select studio programming, including ESPN FC, the network’s global football news and information show. ESPN said the new rollout builds on sports already available on Disney+ in Europe, while Disney and ESPN both framed the move as part of a broader effort to deepen their connection with sports fans outside the United States.
“Sports and live events are an essential part of our Disney+ content library, and we’re excited to build on the success we’ve already had with sports fans, as we bring more of ESPN to Disney+ subscribers in Europe and APAC,” said Alisa Bowen, President, Disney+. “This launch adds to our growing portfolio of local sports rights around the world.”
The expansion comes at an important time as the network continues to bleed traditional TV subscribers. ESPN has lost about 40% of its cable and satellite subscribers over the last 10 years, falling from nearly 100 million households to around 60 million homes, according to reporting from Puck News. That decline reflects the broader shift away from traditional pay TV and helps explain why ESPN continues to push harder into streaming.
The latest move is for more than just convenience for Disney+ users. ESPN’s latest international expansion shows how aggressively the company is working to keep its sports brand in front of viewers as the cable bundle keeps shrinking and streaming becomes the new battleground for live sports.
“This expansion marks an exciting next step for ESPN and Disney+ in our commitment to sports fans,” said Freddy Rolón, Head of Global Sports & Talent Office, ESPN. “ESPN has a longstanding tradition of delivering world-class content to sports fans, and the continued growth on Disney+ allows us to extend our reach and provide greater access and deeper connections with fans everywhere.”