The CW sports programming to join ESPN app Aug. 4

The CW Network will begin streaming its live sports programming through the ESPN app Tuesday, Aug. 4, under an agreement that will make more than 800 hours of annual coverage available to ESPN Unlimited tier subscribers.

Programming will continue to air on The CW’s broadcast network and through participating pay-TV providers. ESPN Unlimited subscribers will be able to watch the events on mobile devices, connected televisions and other platforms that support the ESPN app.

The deal was first announced earlier in 2026.

The streaming schedule will begin at 8 p.m. ET Aug. 4 with a two-hour edition of “WWE NXT.”

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Upcoming events include NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, previously known as the Xfinity series, races from Iowa Speedway at 4:30 p.m. ET Aug. 8 and Daytona International Speedway at 7 p.m. ET Aug. 28.

The CW’s college football schedule will debut at 6:30 p.m. ET Aug. 29 with New Mexico State visiting Florida State. The network said it will carry about 140 hours of games from the ACC, Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences during the 2026 season.

The opening month will also include the WWE NXT “Heatwave” premium live event at 3 p.m. ET Aug. 30 from Texas.

CW Sports launched in 2023 and has expanded its portfolio to include college football and basketball, NASCAR, professional wrestling, bull riding, volleyball and bowling. The network also will carry the 2026 Arizona Bowl.

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The CW holds exclusive rights to all 33 races in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series through the 2031 season. The network said the series’ 2025 season averaged its largest audience in four years, up 10% from the previous season.

Through the first 19 races of the 2026 season, excluding rain-delay coverage, the series averaged more than 1 million viewers per race, according to The CW. Viewership was up 11% compared with the 2025 season average.

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The CW’s college sports agreements include sublicensed ACC football and basketball games from ESPN. The network also has deals with the Pac-12 and Mountain West covering football and men’s and women’s basketball through the 2030-31 academic year.

ESPN Unlimited includes ESPN’s television networks, more than 47,000 live events annually, on-demand programming and studio shows. Subscribers to the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle also will be able to access CW Sports programming through Disney+.