CW Sports events to simulcast on ESPN unlimited streaming plan

The CW Network has signed a content distribution deal for simulcasts of its live sports events to stream on ESPN’s app. 

Under the agreement, the app will become the exclusive streaming home for CW Sports‘ live coverage of sports matches. Coverage will continue to air on CW’s linear network as well.

To access this content, a subscription to the unlimited tier of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming platform is required.

Coverage under the deal will include college football and men’s and women’s basketball from the ACC, Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, WWE NXT, PBA Bowling, PBR Bull Riding, AVP volleyball and the 2026 Arizona Bowl, according to the announcement.

CW simulcasts on the ESPN app are expected to begin in the summer of 2026.

“Joining forces with ESPN is a monumental next step in the evolution of CW Sports,” said Brad Schwartz, president, The CW Network, in a statement. “This agreement extends the reach of CW Sports and enables us to capture audiences across the best of broadcast and the best of streaming, ensuring fans can access live CW Sports wherever they are and on whatever device they prefer.”

“Bringing CW Sports to the ESPN App is another step in delivering more value, choice and flexibility for fans, expanding the range of live sports available within our streaming ecosystem,” said Rosalyn Durant, executive vice president, ESPN programming and acquisitions. “As we continue to evolve ESPN’s direct-to-consumer experience, collaborations like this allow us to better serve fans by making more of the sports they love available in one place.”

CW Sports was launched in 2023. The network recently extended its partnership with the new Pac-12 Conference to include 13 regular season football games per year through the 2030-31 season, as well as adding regular season men’s and women’s basketball games including the women’s basketball tournament’s semifinal and championship games, the announcement notes.

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In Fall 2026, CW Sports will also begin its pact with the Mountain West conference to air 13 football games, 20 men’s basketball games and 15 women’s basketball games per year through the 2030 to 2031 season. Also in the fall, The CW will also broadcast the 2026 Arizona Bowl.