The CW Network and ESPN announced a partnership to bring live sports programming to the ESPN App starting August 4, 2026. This move integrates over 800 hours of annual live events from The CW into the ESPN Unlimited subscription plan. Viewers can now access these broadcasts alongside their standard ESPN content on mobile or connected TV devices.
The launch begins with WWE NXT on August 4. Motorsports fans have direct access to the final regular season races for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, including events at Iowa Speedway on August 8 and Daytona International Speedway on August 28. These broadcasts lead into the Chase for the championship.
College football coverage follows on August 29 with the New Mexico State versus Florida State game. This represents the largest college football schedule in The CW’s history, covering matchups from the ACC, Pac-12, and Mountain West conferences. The weekend concludes on August 30 with the WWE NXT Heatwave event.
This distribution agreement allows advertisers to reach viewers across both broadcast and digital platforms. ESPN Unlimited subscribers benefit from existing app features like multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing. Fans can manage subscriptions through TV providers, mobile carriers, or standalone options via the ESPN digital ecosystem. The deal positions The CW’s sports catalog within the broader ESPN digital environment while maintaining over-the-air broadcast availability.