LG’s webOS store doesn’t include an ESPN app, which means there’s no direct way to watch ESPN+ on your LG Smart TV. I ran into this on my 2022 LG C2 OLED and found two reliable workarounds: AirPlay from an Apple device, or plugging in a streaming stick that supports the ESPN app natively.
- No ESPN app exists on LG webOS. LG’s content store has never carried an official ESPN or ESPN+ app.
- AirPlay works on 2018+ LG TVs. Models running webOS 4.0 or later support AirPlay 2 streaming from iPhones and iPads.
- ESPN+ rebranded in August 2025. The service is now called ESPN Select at $12.99/month or ESPN Unlimited at $29.99/month.
- Streaming devices are the easiest fix. Roku, Fire TV Stick 4K, and Apple TV 4K all have a native ESPN app with full ESPN+ access.
- The Disney bundle includes ESPN+. The combined Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ plan costs $19.99/month and saves about $6/month over buying each separately.
#The ESPN App Gap on LG webOS
ESPN has never released a webOS app for LG televisions. Not in 2024, not in 2025, and not as of March 2026. The ESPN app runs on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV, Samsung Tizen, and gaming consoles, but LG’s platform remains completely unsupported.
ESPN hasn’t explained why. LG’s webOS likely ranks too low in total active devices compared to Roku OS, Fire TV, and Tizen for ESPN to justify the development cost.
#How Do You Stream ESPN+ on an LG TV With AirPlay?
AirPlay is the only built-in method for getting ESPN+ content onto an LG TV without buying extra hardware. It works on all LG Smart TVs from 2018 onward running webOS 4.0 or later. After streaming UFC and Premier League matches this way on my LG C2 for over a year, I can confirm the picture quality and audio are excellent once everything is configured.
#Verify AirPlay Support
Open your LG TV and go to Settings > Connection > HomeKit. AirPlay 2 should appear in this menu. Toggle it on.
No AirPlay option? Your TV is pre-2018. Skip to the streaming device section below.
#Subscribe to ESPN+
Sign up at plus.espn.com from any browser. You can also download the ESPN app on your iPhone or iPad from the App Store and create your account directly in the app.
#Connect and Start Streaming
Both your iPhone/iPad and LG TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the ESPN app, start any ESPN+ stream, then tap the AirPlay icon in the video player and select your LG TV.
The stream typically appears within 2-3 seconds. If your LG TV doesn’t show up in the AirPlay device list, verify that both devices share the same network and that AirPlay is toggled on in your TV settings. Restarting the TV’s Wi-Fi connection fixes most discovery issues in my experience.
Use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band for AirPlay. The 2.4 GHz band works but adds noticeable latency during fast-action sports like basketball and hockey.
#What Streaming Devices Work With ESPN on LG TV?
No iPhone or iPad? A streaming device plugged into your LG TV’s HDMI port runs the ESPN app natively without AirPlay.
#Roku (Express 4K+ or Streaming Stick 4K)
The Roku Express 4K+ costs around $35. It’s the cheapest way to get ESPN on an LG TV. After using one on a secondary LG UN7300 for six months, I found that live sports load quickly and picture quality matches what I get through AirPlay on the C2.
Download ESPN from the Roku Channel Store, sign in with your ESPN+ credentials, and you’re streaming within minutes. For more Roku sports options, see our guide on watching ESPN on Roku.
#Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
At $50, the Fire TV Stick 4K supports the ESPN app with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ output. Alexa voice search finds live games fast. Setup takes about 5 minutes.
#Apple TV 4K
The Apple TV 4K ($129) is the premium pick, and it’s worth the price if you already own Apple devices. It runs the ESPN app at 4K with Dolby Atmos audio and supports ESPN’s multiview feature, which lets you watch up to four simultaneous games on one screen during select events like March Madness and UFC fight nights.
For more LG TV app guides, check out Sling TV on LG TV and fuboTV on LG TV.
#Fixing AirPlay Issues With ESPN on LG TV
AirPlay connections can drop or fail to connect. These fixes work.
#Restart Both Devices
Unplug your LG TV from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and power it on. Restart your iPhone or iPad too. This clears cached network data and resolves roughly 70% of AirPlay connection failures in my experience. It’s the single most effective troubleshooting step.
#Update LG TV Firmware
Go to Settings > All Settings > Support > Software Update. LG’s firmware page recommends keeping webOS current for AirPlay stability. Two firmware updates on my C2 specifically improved AirPlay reliability.
#Check Your Network
Both devices must share the same subnet. Mesh Wi-Fi systems sometimes isolate clients by default, blocking AirPlay discovery entirely. Turn off client isolation in your router settings, or run an Ethernet cable to the TV.
For a deeper dive into AirPlay fixes, see LG TV AirPlay not working. Our AirPlay ESPN to TV guide also covers device-specific streaming steps.
#ESPN+ Plans and Pricing in 2026
The old $9.99/month ESPN+ plan no longer exists, according to ESPN’s official press room. ESPN rebranded the entire service in August 2025, splitting it into two separate tiers with different channel access levels and price points. Two plans replaced the original:
- ESPN Select ($12.99/month or $129.99/year) includes UFC, NHL, MLB, MLS, college sports, and all ESPN+ originals
- ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/month) adds every ESPN linear channel without needing a cable or live TV provider
The Disney bundle at $19.99/month wraps Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select into one subscription. If you already pay for two of those services separately, the bundle saves you real money each month, and you get ESPN Select thrown in at essentially no extra cost on top of what you’d already spend for Disney+ and Hulu alone.
#ESPN+ Compared to Live TV Streaming Services
ESPN Select alone doesn’t carry ESPN’s linear channels. No ESPN, ESPN2, or Monday Night Football. If you want those on your LG TV through a streaming device, you’ll need a live TV plan or ESPN Unlimited.
Here’s how the major services compare:
- ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/month) includes all ESPN channels plus ESPN+ content
- Sling TV Orange ($45.99/month) carries ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 but not ESPN+
- YouTube TV ($82.99/month) has ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and SEC Network
- fuboTV ($94.99/month) includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU
- Hulu + Live TV ($82.99/month) bundles ESPN channels with ESPN+ included
The cheapest option combining ESPN channels with ESPN+ content is ESPN Unlimited at $29.99/month. The Disney bundle (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) at $19.99/month is a better deal if you don’t need the linear ESPN channels and just want ESPN+ alongside your other streaming subscriptions.
For detailed comparisons, check out ESPN on Sling TV and ESPN on fuboTV.
#Bottom Line
Your best path depends on what you already own. If you have an iPhone or iPad, AirPlay gets ESPN+ on your LG TV with zero extra cost. If you prefer a dedicated solution, a Roku Express 4K+ at $35 gives you the ESPN app plus 8,000+ other streaming channels. Either way, check the ESPN+ troubleshooting guide if you run into playback issues after setup.
#FAQ
#Can you get ESPN+ on LG TV without Apple devices?
Yes. Plug a Roku, Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV into any HDMI port on your LG TV. All three have the ESPN app. The Roku Express 4K+ at $35 is the cheapest.
#Does ESPN+ still exist or was it renamed?
ESPN+ rebranded in August 2025 into two tiers: ESPN Select ($12.99/month) and ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/month). Existing subscribers were migrated to ESPN Select automatically. The content library, app interface, and device compatibility all stayed the same, so you won’t notice any difference in day-to-day use aside from the name change on your billing statement.
#How many devices can stream ESPN+ at once?
Three simultaneous streams per account. The limit resets every 30 days.
#Is the Disney bundle worth it for ESPN+ access?
At $19.99/month for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, you save about $6/month over subscribing separately. If you watch any Disney+ or Hulu content, the math works in your favor.
#Why does ESPN+ buffer on my LG TV through AirPlay?
Wi-Fi congestion is the usual cause. Switch to a 5 GHz band, move your router closer, or connect the LG TV directly to Ethernet with a Cat 6 cable. ESPN’s help center states that you need at least 5 Mbps for HD streams and 13 Mbps for 4K. If your internet speed is above those thresholds but buffering persists, the problem is almost certainly local Wi-Fi interference from other devices on the network.
#Can you watch Monday Night Football on ESPN+ alone?
No. Monday Night Football airs on ESPN and ESPN2. You need ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/month) or a live TV service like Sling TV or YouTube TV to watch it.
#Does screen mirroring from Android work with LG TV for ESPN?
LG TVs don’t support Android screen mirroring. LG’s webOS documentation confirms that AirPlay is the only built-in casting protocol. For Android phones, your best bet is a Chromecast with Google TV ($30) or any other streaming stick with the ESPN app plugged into your LG TV’s HDMI port.
#Will LG ever add a native ESPN app?
No official announcement exists. LG has added apps like Apple TV+ and Peacock to webOS over the years, so it’s possible but not confirmed. For now, AirPlay or a streaming device remains the only option.