ESPN is raising the cost of its direct-to-consumer streaming service, ESPN Unlimited, less than two years after the platform launched. The increase will affect standalone subscribers, while some bundle customers will continue paying their current rates.
The change is especially relevant for WWE fans in the United States. ESPN Unlimited is the exclusive streaming home for WWE Premium Live Events, putting the service at the center of how fans watch shows such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble and Survivor Series.
How Much Does ESPN Unlimited Cost?
ESPN Unlimited offers access to all linear networks like ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, and ACC Network, plus streaming content from ESPN+ and ABC. Its new standalone rates will be:
- Monthly: $31.99 per month, up from $29.99
- Annual: $319.99 per year, up from $299.99
The annual plan is increasing by $20, while the monthly option will cost an additional $2 each month.
ESPN is also increasing the price of its lower-tier ESPN Select service, which was previously known as ESPN+.
- Monthly: $13.99 per month, up from $12.99
- Annual: $139.99 per year, up from $129.99
ESPN Select does not provide access to the flagship linear ESPN networks or WWE Premium Live Events.
When Does the New ESPN Unlimited Price Take Effect?
The new ESPN Unlimited rates will officially take effect on September 17, 2026. Subscribers who currently pay for the standalone service will therefore have some time before the higher prices appear.
There is one notable exception to the increase. The Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle remains at $35.99 per month, meaning subscribers using that package will not face the same standalone price hike.
The bundle options include:
- Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited: $35.99 per month
- Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited Premium: $44.99 per month
- Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select: $21.99 per month
- Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select Premium: $32.99 per month
The Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle is particularly significant because it accounts for roughly 80% of ESPN Unlimited’s subscriber base.
What Does the Price Increase Mean for WWE Fans?
For wrestling fans, the change matters because ESPN Unlimited is the exclusive U.S. home for WWE’s premium live events.
The service took over domestic PLE streaming rights from Peacock as part of a landmark five-year partnership in August 2025. That means fans relying on the standalone ESPN app for WWE’s biggest events will need the Unlimited tier rather than ESPN Select.
There is, however, another option for viewers who already pay for ESPN through a television provider. Cable, satellite and participating live-TV streaming subscribers can use their existing credentials to access ESPN through the app without purchasing a separate Unlimited subscription.
Where U.S. Fans Can Watch WWE’s Weekly Shows?
ESPN’s deal with WWE changes the distribution of premium live events, but it does not move all of WWE’s weekly programming to the platform.
- WWE RAW: Streams live exclusively on Netflix.
- WWE SmackDown: Continues to air on the USA Network.
- WWE NXT: Continues to air weekly on The CW.
The different homes for WWE’s weekly shows and premium live events mean fans in the United States may need more than one service depending on which part of the WWE schedule they want to follow.
For viewers who primarily use ESPN Unlimited for WWE’s biggest events, the September price change will be worth considering alongside the available bundle and pay-TV options.
