ESPN+ vs. DAZN in 2020 – 9 Things You Need to Know

This guide compares ESPN+ vs. DAZN. You can either scroll down for an in-depth comparison, or use our Cord-Cutter Express tool to see how all the major streaming services stack up. Just answer a few quick questions and we’ll match you to the perfect streaming service, taking into account all of your watching preferences.

Fact 1: ESPN+ is cheaper than DAZN

Even though ESPN+ offers a wider array of sports entertainment compared to DAZN, it’s actually cheaper. It only costs $5/month or $50/year. 

DAZN, on the other hand, costs $20/month or $100/year. DAZN’s original price was $10/month, but the service doubled that fee after signing exclusive deals with a number of star fighters.

Before we get into the pricing details, you should know that ESPN+ and DAZN are two completely different types of services. With ESPN+, you get spill-over sports content that ESPN wasn’t able to fit on any of its other core channels’ schedules. DAZN is a boxing-oriented streaming service and its main attraction is that it’s the only way to access certain pay-per-view fights.

Here’s a closer look at both streaming services’ pricing schemes and channel offerings.

ESPN+

With ESPN+, you can watch a variety of different sport contests that aren’t accessible on other apps. However, it’s not meant to be a stand-alone streaming service. You have to have either a cable subscription or subscribe to some other streaming service if you want complete coverage.

Like DAZN, ESPN+ has some exclusive pay-per-view deals. There are a few originals you can watch through ESPN+ as well. Kobe Bryant’s Detail is a sports analysis show that covers NBA basketball. ESPN FC is a soccer analysis show. Various sports documentaries are available through ESPN+ as well, like Quest for the Stanley Cup, Last Train to Russia and more. You can stream to up to three different screens through one ESPN+ account. It costs $5/month for service after the 7-day free trial.

DAZN

In the US, a subscription to DAZN gives you access to Matchroom Boxing events, Bellator MMA matches and more for $20/month. Outside the United States, DAZN is completely different. For example, if you live in Canada, you can watch NFL action through DAZN. Prices vary, as well. Check the DAZN website to see what’s available in your country and how much subscribing will cost.

Fact 2: For fans of Saul Alvarez, Anthony Joshua and Gennady Golovkin, DAZN is a no-brainer

DAZN’s exclusive deals with those fighters makes DAZN an obvious choice for those who follow them.

In the US, DAZN is the only way to stream boxing matches that feature Canelo Alvarez. The boxing and MMA leagues that DAZN carries include Bellator MMA, Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Boxing and Combate Americas. In addition, DAZN just announced a new MLB news show called ChangeUp. The show uses a whip-around format and is hosted by former ESPN anchor Adnan Virk.

Fact 3: The only way to watch some UFC matches is through ESPN+

ESPN recently signed an exclusive deal to broadcast all the UFC PPV cards. The deal will last through 2025, according to MMAFighting.com. In addition to an ESPN+ subscription, you’ll also need to pay $60 to tune in. Prior to the deal, UFC fans could tune into PPV matches through their local cable companies.

Fact 4: There’s no way to avoid ads on either service

Some streaming services give you the ability to remove ads in exchange for paying a bit more for service each month. However, this is not the case with DAZN and ESPN+. ESPN+ started showing pre-roll ads to its users last year. DAZN has also started showing ads to its customers. An article from Forbes dives into the nitty gritty on DAZN’s advertisement strategy.

Fact 5: Both streaming services offer event replays

Can’t watch the event you want to see due to a scheduling conflict? No problem. Both DAZN and ESPN+ allow you to view events after they air. You can even rewind to the beginning of an event if you happen to tune in late.

If you aren’t able to tune in to watch the event you want to see live and you have DAZN, you can watch a recording of it later for up to three days after it ends. Highlight reels and interviews are available on-demand, as well.

Fact 6: ESPN+ broadcasts 10,000+ live events per year

That figure comes from an article published by Newsday. DAZN has not revealed how many events it streams per year. 

A much wider range of live sports content is available through ESPN+ compared to DAZN. The service offers MLB, MLS, Serie A, FA Cup, EFL and NHL action– and that’s just for starters. You can also stream UFC Fight Nights and Grand Slam tennis matches as well as US Open and Australian Open matches. ESPN+ also carries some college football and college basketball games, too.

Fact 7: DAZN has twice as many subscribers as ESPN+

In 2019, ESPN+ announced that it had accumulated around two million subscribers. Around the same time, DAZN announced that it had acquired four million subscribers.

One reason for that discrepancy could be that DAZN has been around longer than ESPN+. DAZN was founded in 2015, but ESPN+ just started operating in April of last year. In addition, ESPN+ is only available in the US. Countries served by DAZN include Switzerland, Canada, Italy, United States, Spain, and Brazil. As mentioned earlier, channel offerings vary wildly depending on where you live– so be sure to check the DAZN website to see what you’ll get before you subscribe.

Fact 8: ESPN+ is the best choice for US-based soccer fans

ESPN+ has secured the rights to stream EFL, UEFA Nations Cup and CFL football matches. DAZN, on the other hand, is very limited when it comes to soccer. The only soccer league you can watch with DAZN in the US is the J1 League. Of course, if you live outside the US, it’s a totally different story. In most other countries where DAZN has a presence, you can watch La Liga, EFL and other popular soccer leagues.

Fact 9: You can’t get ESPN+ unless you live in the US

ESPN+ isn’t available outside the US at all. Geoblocks will prevent you from signing up if you live abroad. And just like DAZN, ESPN+ isn’t supposed to be used as a cable substitute. If you want to watch events like college bowl games and marquee NBA showdowns, you’ll need to buy a separate streaming service in addition to ESPN+.