ESPN now sells MLB.TV subscriptions for the 2026 Major League Baseball season. The move makes ESPN the main spot for fans to grab out-of-market game streams. It started February 10. This change comes from a new deal between MLB and ESPN. Fans want easy ways to watch games. ESPN aims to make that happen through its app and platforms.
Key Takeaways
- MLB.TV costs $149.99 for the full season or $29.99 per month, with discounts to $134.99 for ESPN Unlimited users.
- New customers get one free month of ESPN Unlimited when signing up.
- Stream live out-of-market games, MLB Network, and archives in both MLB and ESPN apps.
- Blackouts apply for local games; Club.TV handles in-market streams separately.
Background
Baseball fans have used MLB.TV for years to catch games their local TV won't show. It's the go-to for out-of-market streams. That means if you're in New York, you can watch the Dodgers or Cubs without worry. But local teams? Those stay blacked out to push regional broadcasts.
MLB and ESPN go way back. They've partnered on TV rights for decades. Now, ESPN steps up to sell MLB.TV directly. The shift hit for 2026. It launched February 10, right before spring training heats up. Fans noticed right away. Some love the one-stop shop. Others gripe about the extra steps.
And it's not just casual viewers. Die-hard fans track every pitch. They want reliable streams on phones, TVs, tablets. ESPN says its app handles that. MLB keeps its app too. Link accounts, and you're set.
But change brings questions. Returning subscribers from MLB? They renew through MLB as before. No ESPN needed. New folks go through ESPN. International fans stick with MLB's setup.
This fits bigger shifts in sports TV. Cable fades. Streaming rises. Leagues cut out middlemen. Direct sales mean more cash for teams. Fans get flexibility. Or so the plan goes.
Take last year's setup. MLB sold everything itself. Prices held steady. Now ESPN bundles it in. Some teams have Club.TV for local games. That's 21 clubs. Prices there match 2025: $99.99 season, $19.99 month. Bundle with MLB.TV? $199.99 season. Saves 20%.
Six teams use regional sports networks. Athletics, Orioles, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, Giants. Their deals vary by area. Fans check local rules.
"This agreement enhances one of sports media's longest-standing partnerships." – ESPN statement on the MLB.TV launch
Key Details
Let's break down the costs. Standard MLB.TV season pass runs $149.99. Monthly option? $29.99, good through October. Renews next March unless you cancel.
Got ESPN Unlimited already? Score a deal. Pay $134.99 for the season. That's 10% off. ESPN Unlimited itself? Around $30 a month. New to it? Sign up for MLB.TV, get one free month. Cancel after if you want. MLB.TV sticks around.
What do you get? Live out-of-market regular season games. Home and away feeds. MLB Network 24/7 for season pass holders. Archives. On-demand replays. MLB Big Inning for quick highlights.
Postseason? Log into MLB app for select games. All-Star Game too. Blackout-free audio from all 30 teams. Even minor league games.
Devices and Apps
Watch on tons of gear. ESPN app works on web, iOS, Android phones and TVs, Fire TV, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Samsung, LG, Vizio TVs. MLB app stays the same.
Link accounts easy. ESPN side: Go to account management. Find 'Your Other Services.' Activate MLB.TV. Link Disney account. MLB side works reverse.
Billing quirks. Monthly plans prorate if adding to ESPN Unlimited. Season passes renew March 1. Emails warn you ahead.
Club.TV unaffected yet. MLB sells and streams those. Transition coming later.
Spring training? Some blackouts. Check rules.
And for Champions League fans eyeing soccer transfers, baseball's streaming push mirrors trends there. Or see how figure skating gold changed U.S. sports streaming. Baseball keeps pace.
What This Means
Fans gain options. Stream in two apps. No app loyalty needed. ESPN builds a sports hub. Add MLB.TV like other bundles.
Costs stay close to before. Discounts help. But watch auto-renew. Free trial tempts. Cancel or pay $30 monthly for Unlimited.
Teams benefit. More eyes on games. Out-of-market pulls casual viewers. Local stays protected.
Blackouts frustrate. Can't watch your team live if nearby. VPN whispers circulate. But terms ban that. Risk account bans.
Small markets win big. Rural fans stream anyone. City folks? Tougher with blackouts.
Long term? ESPN might fold Club.TV in. Full league access one sub. Prices could rise. Or bundles sweeten.
Casual fans try monthly. $29.99 low risk. Season pass for obsessives. $149.99 or less.
Kids and families? Shared accounts possible. Family plans? Not yet. Watch that.
Travelers love it. Out-of-market anywhere. Just not local.
Competition heats. Apple TV+, YouTube TV chase sports. ESPN grabs baseball slice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ESPN Unlimited to keep MLB.TV?
No. New users get a free month trial. Cancel it anytime. MLB.TV runs solo after.
Can returning MLB.TV subscribers use ESPN app?
Yes. Link accounts. Stream in both apps. No new sub needed.
What about international fans?
They buy and stream through MLB. ESPN deal U.S.-focused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ESPN Unlimited to keep MLB.TV?
No. New users get a free month trial. Cancel it anytime. MLB.TV runs solo after.
Can returning MLB.TV subscribers use ESPN app?
Yes. Link accounts. Stream in both apps. No new sub needed.
What about international fans?
They buy and stream through MLB. ESPN deal U.S.-focused.
