On August 21, ESPN launched its new streaming service, which combines ESPN’s full suite of sports networks and existing streaming services so sports fans can find them all in one place. The timing of ESPN’s launch also happens to coincide with the start of the NCAA football season, which means that this year, there will be hundreds of games available in one place now that all 7 ESPN-affiliated networks, which include ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, ACC Network, along with ESPN+, SEC+ and ACCNX are all rolled into one plan — ESPN unlimited — where you can watch all the football your heart desires.
On opening weekend alone, there are over 60 college games available to stream via the new service, more than any other streaming platform. (You can take a peek at the Week 1 football schedule here.) Subscribers will also get access to shows like College GameDay, which heads into its 39th season this year and kicks the season off in Columbus, Ohio, for the Ohio State vs. Texas game on Aug. 30.
Here’s what to know about ESPN’s new streaming service and how to watch all the college football the platform offers when the 2025 season begins this month.
When does the college football season begin?
The first college football games of the season kicked off on Saturday, August 23, just two days after ESPN’s new streaming service launched. Week 1 officially begins on Thursday, Aug. 28. You can check out the Week 1 schedule below, or check out the complete college football season schedule.
How to watch college football on ESPN
You can catch extensive coverage of college football through the ESPN unlimited plan, which includes games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, ESPNU, ACC Network, SEC Network, and more. College football games are available on both ESPN select and ESPN unlimited, but the unlimited plan offers the full range of ESPN’s extensive college football coverage.
Whichever tier you choose, the ESPN App is newly enhanced, with updated multi-view options, integrated game stats, fantasy sports and more.
What is included in ESPN’s new streaming service?
ESPN unlimited, as the name suggests, includes access to all of ESPN’s linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes, plus access to programming on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. It’s effectively “cable ESPN, but via streaming.” That means subscribers can get coverage of more than 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, original programming and more.
ESPN selectis essentially the new name for ESPN+. The service still provides exclusive access to many events, including some college football games, and will simulcast certain sports that air on other channels and offer PPV access to UFC fights (until Paramount takes over as the streaming home of UFC in 2026), but doesn’t feature the robust programming of the unlimited plan.
NCAAF Week 1 schedule:
Thursday, Aug. 28
-
Boise State at South Florida: 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
-
Delaware State at Delaware: 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
-
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati (in Kansas City, Missouri): 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
-
Towson at Norfolk State: Time TBD (ESPN+)
Friday, Aug. 29
-
Duke’s Mayo Classic: Appalachian State vs. Charlotte (at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina): 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
-
Auburn at Baylor: 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
-
Georgia Tech at Colorado: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Saturday, Aug. 30
-
Aflac Kickoff Game: Syracuse vs. Tennessee (in Atlanta, GA): 12 p.m. ET (ABC)
-
Texas at Ohio State: 12 p.m. ET (Fox)
-
Duquesne at Pitt: 12 p.m. ET (ACC Network)
-
Alabama at Florida State: 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
-
Montana State at Oregon: 4 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)
-
LSU at Clemson: 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
-
North Carolina A&T at Tennessee State: Time TBA (ESPN+)
-
Eastern Washington at UIW: Time TBA (ESPN+)
-
Hampton at Jackson State: Time/TV TBA
Sunday, Aug. 31
-
Aflac Kickoff Game: South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech (in Atlanta, GA): 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)
-
Notre Dame at Miami (FL): 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Monday, Sept. 2
-
TCU at North Carolina: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
How do I sign up for ESPN’s new streaming service?
sIf you’re a subscriber to ESPN+ (either with a standalone subscription or as part of a Disney+/Hulu bundle), you don’t have to lift a finger — you’re already automatically enrolled in the new elect plan at no additional cost.
Standalone ESPN+ subscribers get the ESPN select plan, and Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ bundle subscribers get the ESPN select bundle. If you want to upgrade, you can do so whenever!
If you want to subscribe to the new ESPN unlimited plan, just sign up below!