ESPN is a top-tier US sports network and streaming platform, bringing fans live games, in-depth analysis, on-demand replays, exclusive documentaries, and expert commentary.
With the ESPN Unlimited launch in 2025, you no longer need a cable subscription to access ESPN’s full lineup of channels. Some of its prominent sister channels available on the platform include ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, SEC Network, ESPN Deportes, etc.
Due to geo-restrictions, ESPN is only available to viewers in the US. If you try to watch ESPN in Ireland, you will encounter location-based blocks or blackouts.Â
However, I could unblock ESPN in Ireland, using a VPN service like Surfshark. A VPN masks your location, making it appear as though you’re browsing from the US, bypassing these restrictions.
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How to Unblock ESPN in Ireland within a Few Seconds
Since ESPN is geo-restricted to the US, accessing its content from Ireland requires using a reliable VPN service. By connecting to a US server, you can easily bypass these restrictions and gain access to ESPN’s full library.
Here’s how you can sign up for ESPN Unlimited and start streaming ESPN in Ireland today:
Step 1: Sign up with a VPN service. Surfshark is our #1 choice
Step 2: Download and install the  on your device.Â
Step 3: Open the VPN and connect it to a USA server.Â
Step 4: Go to the ESPN Unlimited official website and click on Profile Icon
Step 5: Click on Create Account
Step 6: Enter your Email
Step 7: Enter your password
Step 8: Click on Get Access
Step 9: Choose between Browse Plans or Sign in with TV Provider
Step 10: If you’ve chosen browse plans, then select any suitable ESPN subscription plan
Step 11: Choose whether you want to add an NFL to your bundle or not
Step 12: Review your subscription plan and scroll down!
Step 13: Add your credit card/PayPal credentials to subscribe
Step 14: Choose any sport you want to watch live or on demand
Step 15: Enjoy Streaming!
Best Ways to Watch ESPN with Live TV Services
Aside from signing in to ESPN directly, you can watch ESPN through some Live TV streaming services as well if you have a subscription to those channels. They are:
1. FuboTV
FuboTV, an American live TV streaming service, known for its wide range of channels covering sports, entertainment, and news, including popular networks like ESPN, NBC, and FX.
Starting at $84.99 per month, FuboTV offers access to over 200 channels, with premium plans providing up to 291+ channels.
However, FuboTV is geo-restricted to US viewers. To watch ESPN in Ireland via FuboTV, you must connect to a US server of a VPN, like Surfshark, along with a valid US payment method.
Read More:Â Watch FuboTV in Ireland
2. Hulu+ Live TV
Hulu+ Live TV is one of the most popular streaming platforms available in the US. You can watch the entire ESPN content on this service, along with over 95 other U.S. cable channels, like NBC, Fox Sports, CBS, and NFL Network.
Additionally, Hulu Live TV offers other ESPN Inc. channels like ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, ACC Network, ABC, and SEC Network. The subscription starts at $89.99/mo and includes ESPN+ and Disney+.
However, Hulu+ Live TV is geo-restricted in Ireland. Therefore, you must connect to the US Server of a VPN like Surfshark to unblock it.
Read More: Watch Hulu in Ireland
3. YouTube TV
Another recommended live TV streaming platform, YouTube TV, offers ESPN to watch exclusive sports content. The platform offers 100+ US channels, including ESPNU, ESPN2, ABC, Fox, AMC, BBC America, and more.
It provides you with unlimited storage space to record the shows and charges $72.99 monthly, along with a 7-day free trial.
However, you will need a VPN to bypass YouTube TV’s geo-restrictions. I recommend using Surfshark to access it.
Read More: Watch YouTube TV in Ireland
4. Sling TV
Sling TV is a US Live TV service that includes ESPN and its sister channels for live streaming. The platform offers two main subscription plans: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. However, only the Sling Orange plan provides access to ESPN, making it the best option.
You can subscribe to Sling Orange for $45/mo. You can also purchase a day pass for $1 to stream channels in Sling Orange for 24 hours.
Unfortunately, Sling TV is also geo-restricted to the US only, so you will need a VPN to unblock the service in Ireland. Surfshark is our #1 choice
Read More: Watch Sling TV in Ireland.
Why Do I Need a VPN to Unblock ESPN in Ireland?
ESPN is one of the leading sports channels available in the United States. Unfortunately, it isn’t accessible in Ireland due to licensing and copyright restrictions.
To watch ESPN in Ireland, you can use a VPN service to connect to a US server. This assigns you a US IP address, masking your original Irish IP address.
When connected to a US server, ESPN won’t be able to detect your original location due to IP masking. This also lets you access the mentioned live TV services that offer ESPN. Surfshark is our #1 choice
What are the Best VPNs to Watch ESPN in Ireland?
After testing 35+ VPN services, we found that the 3 best VPNs were able to bypass ESPN geo-restrictions on the first attempt.Â
Have a look at the 3 best VPNs:
1. Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN to Unblock ESPN in Ireland
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Server locations | 600+ US servers across 25 cities |
| Price | €1.99 /mo. (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Device Compatibility | Unlimited devices – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Fast Streaming | Uninterrupted streaming with Higher bandwidth per user, and numerous servers |
| Added Privacy | Secure the connection with Camouflage Mode, AES-256-GCM Encryption, Kill Switch, and No-Logs Policy. |
Recommended Servers: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas
Surfshark is a top-tier option for accessing ESPN in Ireland, thanks to its affordability and advanced technology.
In tests, it effectively bypassed geo-restrictions on various services and channels, while its implementation of full forward secrecy ensured robust privacy protection.
Additionally, Surfshark enables access to other geo-restricted platforms in Ireland, such as 9 Now, Servus TV, 7Plus, Netflix, Prime Video etc.
2. NordVPN – Biggest Server Pool to Stream ESPN in Ireland
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 8300+ servers in 60 countries |
| Server locations | 2,889+ servers in the 16 US locations |
| Price | €3.39/month (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Device Compatibility | Up to 10 devices at once – Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, and more |
| Enhanced Streaming | Faster streaming with a Wider server range & NordLynx Protocol. |
| Added Privacy | Military-grade encryption, Double VPN, CyberSec, and No logs policy, |
Recommended Servers: San Francisco, Dallas, San Jose
NordVPN offers an extensive network of servers, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted streaming. Its intuitive interface simplifies navigation for users.
In tests, NordVPN effectively unblocked ESPN, providing a stable and fast connection for continuous viewing.
Beyond ESPN, NordVPN grants access to other geo-restricted channels and services in Ireland, such as ORF, Hulu, FuboTV, Sling, BBC iPlayer, etc.
3. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Accessing ESPN in Ireland
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 3200 servers in 100+ countries |
| Server locations | 24 US cities |
| Exclusive deal | €4.87/month (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Multi-Device Compatibility | Log in to 10 to 12Â different devices simultaneously – Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, and more |
| Enhanced Streaming | Fast and throttle-free streaming with Smart DNS, Split Tunneling, and Lightway Protocol. |
| Top-notch Privacy | Digital privacy with 256-bit Encryption, Kill Switch, and No Log policy. |
Recommended Servers: New York, New Jersey, Washington
ExpressVPN offers a vast network of high-speed servers, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite shows and sports without interruption.
In a speed test, connecting to ExpressVPN’s New York server yielded a download speed of 41 Mbps out of 50 Mbps.
Beyond ESPN: You can access other geo-restricted channels and services in Ireland, such as USAÂ Network, PBS, Frndly TV, Prende TV, etc.
ESPN Unlimited’s Subscription Cost
| Plan | Content | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN Unlimited | All ESPN networks and ESPN+ | $29.99/mo (12 months), then $35.99/mo or $299.99/yr | NFL, NBA, College Football, and more |
| ESPN Unlimited, FOX One Bundle | All ESPN networks and ESPN+, FOX Sports, FS1, FS2, BTN | $39.99/mo | NFL, NBA, College Football, and more |
| Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle | Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited (All ESPN networks and ESPN+) | $29.99/mo (12 months), then $35.99/mo | NFL, NBA, College Football, and more + Disney+ & Hulu content |
How to Stream ESPN in Ireland on Mobile Phones
You can install ESPN on your smartphone via its APK file, as the official app isn’t available on the Google Play Store in Ireland.Â
Here’s how you can watch ESPN on your mobile phone using a VPN:
Step 1: Download our recommended Surfshark on your device and connect to the US server.
Step 2: Download the ESPN APK
Step 3:Â Install the APK
Step 4: Open the app and click on login (If you already have an account) or Sign Up (with your TV Provider)
Step 5: Enter your email and “continue”
Step 6: Enter your password and log in
Step 7: Go to the “watch” section
Step 8: Choose anything to watch and enjoy streaming!
Devices Compatible with ESPN
ESPN’s official website and app are compatible with a wide range of devices, including:
| Device Type | Compatible Devices |
|---|---|
| Smartphones & Tablets | iOS (iPhone, iPad), Android (Smartphones, Tablets) |
| Streaming Devices | Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Android TV |
| Smart TVs | Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Vizio Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs |
| Game Consoles | PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X |
| Web Browsers | Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox (PC/Mac) |
| Set-Top Boxes | Comcast Xfinity, Dish Network (Hopper DVR) |
| Amazon Devices | Fire Tablets |
| Other Devices | Xbox One, PlayStation |
What to Watch on ESPNÂ
If you’re looking to explore the wide range of content available on ESPN, here’s a simple breakdown of its major channels and the most popular broadcasts you’ll find.
| ESPN Channel | Popular Broadcasts |
|---|---|
| ESPN | NFL, NBA, MLB, College Football, College Basketball, Tennis |
| ESPN2 | NBA, NCAA Basketball, X Games, College Sports |
| ESPNU | College Football, NCAA Basketball, College Sports Analysis |
| ESPN News (ESPNews) | Sports News, Highlights, Live Sports Updates |
| ESPN Deportes | NFL, NBA, Soccer, Baseball (in Spanish) |
| ESPN3 | College Sports, Soccer, Tennis, Niche Sports |
| ESPN+ | UFC, MLB, NHL, Tennis, College Sports, Documentaries |
| SEC Network | SEC College Football, SEC College Basketball |
| ACC Network | ACC College Football, ACC College Basketball |
Other Sports Channels/Services to Watch in Ireland
After connecting to Surfshark, you can also get access to other sports channels that are blocked in Ireland:
FAQs – ESPN
1. How can I watch ESPN without cable?
You can watch ESPN without cable through streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, or by subscribing to ESPN+ for on-demand content. ESPN also offers a streaming service (ESPN Unlimited) where you can access all its content.
2. How do I watch ESPN in Ireland?
ESPN is unavailable in Ireland. Therefore, using a VPN service is a must to unblock ESPN’s U.S. streaming service, although this may violate ESPN’s terms of service.
3. Does ESPN offer a free trial?
No, ESPN does not offer a free trial. However, ESPN+ used to offer a 7-day free trial, but this is now limited to promotional periods or bundle offers.
4. Is ESPN on Disney+ Ireland?
Conclusion
ESPN is a leading US-based sports network offering live sports events, studio shows, documentaries, and on-demand content. It broadcasts a variety of sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, soccer, tennis, and more.
You can now watch all its content via its latest direct-to-consumer service (ESPN Unlimited). However, since it is restricted to the US only, using a VPN, like Surfshark, is necessary to unblock ESPN in Ireland.
