How to Activate ESPN [espn.com/activate]

In this article, we would be discussing the easiest way on how to activate ESPN on all its supported devices.

Activating ESPN can be done in two ways. You either activate using a Provider Account or using an ESPN+ Account.

This means to access ESPN full content and Live TV, you must have either subscribed to a Pay-TV Provider or you must have a subscription to an ESPN+ Account as these are the only two ways to access ESPN live matches and full features.

You should however note that ESPN does not offer stand-alone subscriptions on any device. You need to subscribe to a pay-TV service provider to stream ESPN on your device. If your TV provider isn’t supported by ESPN, it simply means you cannot be able to activate ESPN for live streaming.

Note that activation using an ESPN+ account doesn’t give you the privilege to watch ESPN live networks.

There are three levels of service ESPN offers to people who would love to stream using the app on any compatible device.

You can have access to ESPN if you are connected to a Pay-TV provider that has the ESPN app included in its package.
You can have access to ESPN’s original and exclusive content if you are a subscriber of the ESPN+ service.
You can have minimal access to ESPN if you are a cord-cutter who hasn’t subscribed to a pay-TV service or the ESPN+ service. (These sects of subscribers can only have access to highlights, clips, sports scores, and news.)

ESPN Supported devices

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The ESPN app would not run on devices that aren’t supported by the ESPN Network. If you also have low-tier versions of certain devices, you may not be able to activate ESPN live streams. Here is the list of devices that is supported by ESPN.

Roku players and Roku TV
Fire TV and Fire tablet
iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV
Samsung Smart TV
Android phone, Android tablet, and Android TV
Xbox One, Xbox series S/X
Chromecast
Xfinity Flex, Xfinity X1
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Oculus Go

Some versions of these devices are not supported by ESPN. Be sure to confirm if the version of your device is supported by ESPN before trying to download the app.

How to Activate ESPN on Roku

Launch Roku and go to the “Add Channel” section in your channel list.
In the search icon on the Channel list, search ESPN.
Once found, download the app to your Roku device.
After download, go to the settings icon on the ESPN app.
Select Subscriptions under settings.
Subscriptions can be activated on ESPN using your Provider Account or on an ESPN+ account.

Activate ESPN on Roku using a Provider Account

After selecting subscriptions, you would see an option to activate your account via Provider account or ESPN+ account.
Select Provider account and click “OK”
An activation code would appear on your screen. Please take note of this code.
Visit espn.com/activate on your mobile device or using a computer.
Enter the activation code displayed on your screen into the box provided on your website and click “Continue.”
You would be redirected to a screen where you would be asked to choose a provider. Select your cable, satellite, or TV provider.
The next page would request that you sign in to your TV service provider using your TV provider credentials.
Once this is completed, the ESPN app on your device would successfully be linked to your device.

Activate ESPN on Roku using ESPN+ Account

You would be provided with an option to activate ESPN using a TV Provider Account or ESPN+ Account.
Select ESPN+ account.
Then you would be prompted to log in to your ESPN+ account.
Once logged in, an activation code would appear on your screen. Copy this activation code.
Using your mobile device or PC, visit espn.com/activate.
Enter the activation code in the box provided on the website and click “Continue.”
You would be prompted to log in to your ESPN + account. Fill in your ESPN+ log-in credentials and continue.
Upon successful activation, your ESPN+ subscription would be linked to the app on your Roku device and you can start streaming live TV shows.

How to activate ESPN on Fire TV/FireStick

Start your Fire TV and go to the Amazon Apps Store.
Once you are in the store, search for ESPN
You would see the ESPN App from the result provided.
Click “Get” and the application should begin download.
After downloading, to complete your activation process, launch the app and go to Settings.
Under settings, select subscriptions. You would be provided with two ways to link your account with ESPN. You either use a TV provider account or using an ESPN+ account.

Activate ESPN on Fire TV/FireStick using a Provider Account

From the options under subscriptions, select Provider Account.
A code would appear on the screen of your device. Take note of the code.
Simply visit espn.com/activate using your mobile device or PC.
Enter the code in the box provided for you on the website.
You would be asked to select your TV provider from the options.
Once selected, log in to your TV provider account using your login details.
Upon logging in, ESPN backend servers would review your login credential and subscription plan and hereby prompt an activation.

Activate ESPN on Fire TV/FireStick using ESPN+ Account.

From the option to select subscription type under settings, select ESPN+ Account.
You would be asked to log in to your ESPN+ account. If you don’t have one, you have to create one.
After logging in, an activation code would appear on your Fire TV screen.
Copy this code and visit espn.com/activate using your mobile or PC.
On the website, enter the activation code on your screen and click “Continue.”
Once done, ESPN servers would automatically connect your account to your streaming device.

How to activate ESPN on Apple TV

Start your Apple TV
Visit your Apps Store on your Apple TV
On your Apps Store, search ESPN in the search box provided.
Once found, select and download it using the get button or the Cloud button next to it.
After download, launch the app and go to settings.
You can either activate your account using a TV Provider Account or the ESPN+ Account.

Activate ESPN on Apple TV using a Provider Account

Select Provider account under settings.
An activation code would appear once you select this option. take note of this activation code.
Using a mobile device or on your computer, simply visit espn.com/activate
Once on the website, enter your activation code in the box provided for you.
Once entered, you would be asked to select your TV Provider.
After selection, you would be requested to enter your TV provider login credentials.
Once this is done, your device would automatically be connected to ESPN.

Activate ESPN on Apple TV using ESPN+ Account

Under the Settings,>> Subscription option on the ESPN app, Select ESPN+
You would be required to log in using your ESPN+ account.
Once logged in, an activation code would appear on your screen. Copy this activation code.
Visit espn.com/activate and enter your activation code in the box provided.
Once entered, click continue.
ESPN backend servers would automatically connect your ESPN+ account with your device and you can start streaming.

How to activate ESPN on Xbox One/360 and Xbox series S/X

Turn on your Xbox.
Go to the Microsoft Store on Xbox to download ESPN.
Search ESPN on the search icon.
Once found, select the “Get for FREE” option.
After download, open the app and go to the settings icon.
On the settings icon, you have two options to activate ESPN. You either activate using a Provider Account or activate using your ESPN+ account.

Activate ESPN on Xbox using a Provider Account

Under the settings option, select Provider Account >> Watch Live TV.
You would be shown an activation code once you select this option. Take note of this code.
using your smartphone or desktop, simply visit espn.com/activate.
On the site, enter the activation code in the box provided.
You would then be requested to select your TV Provider or cable.
After selecting that, you would be requested to log in to your TV Provider account using your TV Provider login details.

Activate ESPN on Xbox using ESPN+ account

On the ESPN app, go to Settings >> Subscriptions.
Under subscriptions, select ESPN+
After this selection, you would be prompted to log in to your ESPN+ account
Once you’ve logged in, an activation code would appear on your screen.
Copy the activation code and visit espn.com/activate using a mobile device or desktop.
On the activation website, enter your activation code in the box provided.
Select “Continue”. This action would prompt an automatic activation of your device using your ESPN+ subscription.

How to activate ESPN on Android TV

Turn on your Android TV.
Visit the Google Play Store on your Android TV.
Search for ESPN using the search bar at the top of the Google Play Store.
Once found, select “Install” and wait for it to download.
After installation, launch the ESPN app.
Click on the settings icon on the app.
On the settings menu, you can continue the activation process in two different ways. you either use a Provider Account or an ESPN+ Account

Activate ESPN on Android TV using a Provider Account

Select the Provider Account option under settings.
You would be redirected to a page where you would find an activation code. Please take note of this activation code.
Simply visit espn.com/activate using your mobile device or computer.
Enter the activation code on your screen in the box provided on the website.
Select “Continue” and you would be redirected to a page where you would be asked to select your TV provider or cable.
Once selected, you would be required to enter your TV provider login credentials.
Once successful, ESPN servers would access your subscription to your TV provider and link it to your streaming device.

Activate ESPN on Android TV using ESPN+ account

Select ESPN+ under Settings >> Subscriptions on the ESPN app.
Once you’ve chosen ESPN+, you would be prompted to log in to your ESPN+ account.
After logging in, an activation code would appear on your screen.
Simply visit espn.com/activate and enter the activation code in the box provided.
After this, your device would be activated and you should have access to ESPN+ live content.

How to activate ESPN on Samsung Smart TV

On your Smart TV, visit your Samsung Smart Hub using your remote control.
On the search icon on your Samsung Smart Hub, search ESPN
Once found, download the app.
Launch the app after installation.
After launch, click on the setting icon at the top of the screen.
Under the Settings menu, you have two options to activate your ESPN account. You can either activate using a Provider Account or using an ESPN+ account.

Activate ESPN on Samsung Smart TV using Provider Account

Simply select Provider Account in settings and select OK
An activation code would appear on the screen of your device.
Copy this activation code and visit espn.com/activate using a web browser on mobile or desktop.
Once on this website, enter your activation code in the box provided.
You would be asked to select your TV provider or Cable.
Once selected, enter your TV provider account details and your account should be activated instantly as long as you have an active subscription.

Activate ESPN on Samsung Smart TV using ESPN+

Under settings, select Subscriptions and then select ESPN+ Account in the option below.
Log in to your ESPN+ account on your device.
After logging in, you would receive an activation code on your Samsung Smart TV screen.
Simply visit espn.com/activate on your mobile phone or PC web browser.
Once on the website, enter your activation code in the space provided.
Click continue. You would get a confirmation upon successful activation.

How to Activate ESPN on PS4 and PS5

Startup your PlayStation.
Visit your Play Station Store and search for the ESPN app.
Once found, download and install the app to your device.
Launch the ESPN app on your device.
Go to settings to continue the activation process. You can either activate using a provider account or an ESPN+ account.

Activate ESPN on PlayStation using Provider Account.

Simply select Provider Account >> Watch Live TV in the settings menu.
Once selected, an activation code would appear on your screen.
Copy this activation code and visit espn.com/activate.
On the website, enter the activation code in the box provided.
You would be required to select your TV Provider or Cable. Please select yours.
Then enter your TV Provider subscription credentials.
ESPN would be activated on your device automatically once this is done.

Activate ESPN on PlayStation using ESPN+ Account

Select ESPN+ Account under Settings >> Subscriptions on the ESPN app.
Log in to your ESPN+ account.
Immediately after login, an activation code would appear on your screen.
Visit espn.com/activate and enter this activation code in the space provided.
Once entered, click continue and your device would be activated if you have an active subscription.

Downloading the ESPN app to your device without a subscription would give you access to highlights, clips, and stories. To however have access to the full contents and features of ESPN, you need to activate your account using one of the two options explained in the article.

ESPN also allows you to stream on three devices simultaneously using one account. ESPN is available on TV providers such Hulu TV, Direct TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and some other TV providers. On Sling TV, ESPN is only available on Sling TV Orange subscription.

You may also want to check out how to cancel an ESPN+ subscription

How to Activate ESPN on all Devices