ESPN Unlimited Subscribers Will Get Free NFL Network in the Fall

The deal is done. The U.S. government approved a deal between the NFL and ESPN. ESPN acquires several NFL Media properties and the NFL gets a 10% stake in the Disney-owned sports network.

The big benefit to you? NFL Network will be included at no extra cost if you’re an ESPN Unlimited subscriber.

You may not notice much difference in the TV product at first. ESPN will own and operate NFL Network, but the league retains ownership of NFL RedZone.

Disney will have the opportunity to reacquire its chunk of ESPN in 2036. Alternately, the NFL could take another 4 percent of ESPN if it wants to.

NFL Network will continue to air 7 exclusive games each season. Four of ESPN’s games, including some that are in overlapping windows on Monday nights, will move to NFL Network. ESPN will license 3 additional games that will be carried on NFL Network.

The NFL has taken back the rights to 4 international games. It’s expected to sell those TV rights to the highest bidder.

NFL Network currently has about 50 million subscribers across all platforms.

“With the closing, we will begin integrating NFL employees into ESPN in the months ahead,” ESPN and the NFL said in a joint statement. “As we look to the future, NFL fans can look forward to expanded NFL programming, greater access to NFL Network, innovative Fantasy experiences and unparalleled coverage of America’s most popular sport.”

The NFL also announce it’s expanding its international schedule for 2026:

• 1 game in Melbourne, Australia (Rams vs. TBD)
• 1 game in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
• 1 game in Munich, Germany
• 3 games in London, U.K.  
• 1 game in Madrid, Spain
• 1 game in Paris, France (Saints vs. TBD)

How Can You Get ESPN Unlimited?

ESPN Unlimited (and free NFL Network) is available in 3 ways: a standalone streaming subscription, as part of a bundle, or included with certain live TV providers.

Standalone ESPN Unlimited

This is the most expensive option in terms of what you can watch per dollar, but if this is the only live TV you watch, it’s the cleanest option.

Bundles with ESPN Unlimited

If you want to get more bang for your buck, choose one of these bundles:

Live TV Services That Include ESPN Unlimited

Some live TV providers include ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost: DIRECTV (select plans), Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and some cable providers offer this perk.