Editor’s note: We decided to publish an article about how to watch soccer games on ESPN3 after we saw how many fans of the sport (including celebrities) had a difficult time figuring it out. Hopefully this will go a long way to helping soccer fans such as yourself and others.
Finding a particular soccer match to watch can be difficult. This is especially true when broadcasting companies offer several different ways to access their games. Most companies have channels available on traditional cable/satellite/streaming providers, as well as an additional over-the-top subscription streaming service. In ESPN’s case, they have multiple ‘cable’ channels, their ESPN+ streaming service, and even a digital network called ESPN3 as well.
NBC Sports soccer commentator Robbie Mustoe recently had difficulties finding a certain soccer match on TV. He’s certainly not alone.
How to watch soccer games on ESPN3
So what’s the difference between ESPN3 and ESPN+? ESPN3 is included at no extra charge with most cable/satellite/streaming provider packages, while ESPN+ is an extra subscription-based streaming service. ESPN3 does not automatically come with an ESPN+ subscription.
ESPN3 is available to anyone that has access to the ESPN family of channels via a cable/satellite/streaming provider. Essentially, if you have the ability to watch the mainstream ESPN channel, you can access ESPN3. ESPN3 content can be watched on the ESPN website or the mobile app. Smartphones, tablets, computers, and streaming services can all access ESPN3.
If you want to access ESPN3, which is incorporated into the WatchESPN platform, online, you’ll need to authenticate your login to prove that you have a subscription to the ESPN channels via your streaming platform, or cable/satellite TV provider. To do this, visit espn.com/watch and then select ‘TV Provider’ in the top right corner.
Then, select your TV provider from the list below. If you can’t find it, you can type it in. For example, fuboTV and Sling TV are amongst the ones to choose from.
And then you’re in.
If you’re a subscriber to Sling Orange, you’ll find the ESPN3 platform of games automatically integrated in your list of channels that are available to you.
Although many of ESPN’s streamed soccer matches are available on their cable channels or ESPN+, they do also have soccer content on ESPN3. Select international matches, college games, replays of other games, and more are available on their digital network.
And sometimes, there are games (particularly international friendlies) where they’re only available on ESPN3 in English-language particularly on a day when there are several matches happening at once.
The ESPN network currently has the U.S. English language rights to Euro 2020, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, League One, League Two, FA Cup, League Cup, International Champions Cup, US Open Cup, Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup, Eredivisie, Danish Superliga, Spain’s Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana, Chinese Super League, Indian Super League, Australian A-League, Sweden’s Allsvenskan, American college soccer, as well as MLS and USL games.
As always, check Worldsoccertalk.com regularly to see exactly where to find soccer matches on ESPN’s family of networks, as well as all other games available in the United States.
