Why aren’t you streaming sports yet?

Let’s talk about a major moment in sports history. No, we don’t mean a legendary game or Olympics performance, though we think this moment is just as important as our favorite touchdown or home run. In 1972, the International Tennis Federation made yellow the standard color for tennis balls. Why? Simple: yellow made the balls easier to see on a television screen.

The way we watch sports — for those of us without season tickets, that means on a screen — has a long and fascinating history of innovation. Today, that spirit of innovation continues in the world of streaming. Not streaming sports yet? You’re missing out, big time. Streaming makes your access more local and more global because you can easily stream a live game from your hometown or watch cricket happening in New Zealand.

Here’s how streaming represents the latest and most exciting developments in sports viewing history — and why ESPN+ brings you the best of the best when it comes to streaming sports.

1. Hockey is happening

Back in 1993, hockey was the first sport to roll out goal-line tech, using an overhead camera. It marked a jump forward for sports watching and officiating (an innovation soccer has since kicked up a notch). Fast-forward to today: hockey fans have an entirely new way to watch what’s unfolding on the ice, thanks to streaming. ESPN+ will broadcast 75 exclusive regular-season games, rounding out the first time NHL games have aired on ESPN since 2004. That means you’re no longer beholden to local market schedules. Game on.

2. They’ve got a ton of college sports

Have your college jersey ready to go? ESPN+ is a go-to for men’s and women’s NCAA sports, from football, basketball, and baseball to volleyball, wrestling, and track and field. They even cover swimming and diving, among other coed sports. If you’re looking for an easy way to cheer on your alma mater or just want to catch rising stars in the college arena, ESPN+ goes above and beyond. This nationalization of NCAA sports, thanks to streaming, represents a sea-change in our sports viewing diet.

3. More goals, more leagues, more access

Are you an American who loves soccer? You’re not alone. The U.S. saw a 27% uptick in soccer fans from 2012 and 2017, according to Nielsen Sports Sponsorlink, and the fans’ numbers are growing (along with the number of MLS teams since 2005). Streaming opens a new avenue for watching the hottest fútbol action from across the states and around the globe. Along with out-of-market MLS games, ESPN+ streams live LaLiga games from Spain, and other top international leagues. Soccer’s growing power as a force in American sports? Thanks are due, in large part, to streaming.

4. It punches up your viewing experience

If you’re a fan of the sweet science and the broader world of combat sports, ESPN+ offers a fresh way to view Top Rank boxing, Professional Fighters League (PFL), and UFC. With an ESPN+ subscription, you can stream live events and content to a wide array of connected devices, from smartphones to smart TVs and gaming consoles — pretty much anywhere you watch sports at home or on the go. That includes all UFC Fight Nights, historical fights, and originals like Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter. What’s true for soccer is doubly true for UFC: streaming has been a huge boon in the sport’s popularity.

5. You can stream analysis and sports docs

Along with live coverage, you get ESPN+ originals like Eli’s Places and Bettor Days, among others, and some ESPN shows — including the entire archive of the 30 for 30 documentary series. Or, if you prefer scrolling through news, you’ve got more than 3,000 articles per year from top sports scribes at your fingertips. You can sign up for $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year (or as a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for $13.99 per month). The new landscape of sports streaming means more commentary and cultural sports stories than ever before — and we’re happy to see it.

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