The CW Network and ESPN have a new deal. Starting Summer 2026, the ESPN App becomes the exclusive streaming home for all CW Sports live events.
Fans with an ESPN Unlimited subscription will access CW Sports on any device. That includes ACC, Pac-12, and Mountain West college football and basketball, NASCAR, WWE NXT, PBA Bowling, PBR Bull Riding, AVP volleyball, and the 2026 Arizona Bowl.
CW Sports continues to build real momentum. The network now delivers over 800 hours of live sports annually. NASCAR viewership grew 10% in 2025, with the first 13 races each topping one million viewers — a first in nearly a decade.
In 2026, the first 10 races have all cleared one million viewers, with viewership up 22% over last year.
“Joining forces with ESPN is a monumental next step in the evolution of CW Sports,” said Brad Schwartz, President of The CW Network. “This new partnership will allow us to connect seamlessly with our audiences everywhere.”
ESPN’s Rosalyn Durant, EVP of Programming & Acquisitions, framed it from her side: “This agreement gives fans even more live sports to watch year-round within the ESPN Unlimited plan, while extending the reach of CW Sports to new audiences.”
The partnership makes strategic sense for both parties. The CW gets streaming distribution and digital reach. ESPN deepens the value of its Unlimited plan. Fans get more sports in one place.
CW Sports recently earned a finalist nod for the Sports Business Awards 2026 Breakthrough of the Year.
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