Disney+ is expanding its lineup in Australia and New Zealand, bringing ESPN’s sports programming to the platform in the coming months. This marks the first time ESPN has been integrated into Disney+ in an English-speaking market outside North America. The rollout follows its launch in Latin America last year and its addition to the US service in December 2024.
A dedicated ESPN hub will give subscribers access to more than 10,000 hours of live and on-demand sports. This includes live broadcasts from ESPN and ESPN2, as well as popular studio shows like SportsCenter, The Pat McAfee Show, NBA Today, and First Take. Replays of major events and ESPN’s acclaimed 30 for 30 documentary series will also be available.
While Disney+ has primarily focused on films, TV series, and occasional specials, the addition of ESPN marks a significant shift. Live sports will now be part of the platform’s regular programming, with major events such as the NBA All-Star Weekend, the NBL Championship Series, MLB Opening Day, the NBA Finals, and the NHL Stanley Cup Final on the horizon for streaming.
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“We’re excited to bring ESPN to Disney+ for sports fans across our sports-loving nations,” said Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand, and Head of ESPN Asia-Pacific. “Sport on Disney+ is an innovative game-changer. It further enriches our already strong and unique content offering, boosts value for subscribers, and serves sports fans anytime, anywhere.”
Watson-Wheeler also highlighted the scale of ESPN’s presence on the platform: “Disney+ will provide access to the biggest ESPN offering ever delivered in our market, including live games and on-demand replays. ESPN’s unrivalled coverage of massive global sporting events and dedicated local programming adds to the wide array of entertainment already available on Disney+ for audiences of all ages.”
ESPN has been a staple in Australian sports broadcasting for nearly three decades, covering everything from basketball to baseball. It’s worth noting that its arrival on Disney+ won’t replace existing access, with ESPN remaining available through Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ.
Here’s a video promo for the announcement that Disney+ released online:
