Download ESPN Videos and Never Miss a Game Again
Summary: Learn how to download ESPN videos on both mobile and desktop. This guide covers official methods and third-party tools for offline viewing.
Introduction
As a devoted Golden State Warriors fan, I prefer to follow games at my own pace.
We can get ESPN channels on Directv, and for online watching, ESPN streaming content also updates quickly. A full replay and post-game interviews might be available right after the game, but within a few days, they often get buried under new programming and become hard to find. That’s why, for fans like me who not only follow games closely but also care about the viewing experience, having a reliable and controllable way to download ESPN videos is absolutely essential.
Today, I will introduce to you two legal and simple ways to download ESPN videos which same as download shows on Fubo (another sports OTT platform)so that you can also watch your favorite games at any time.
Can You Download Videos from ESPN?
- On mobile (like iPhone or Android), the ESPN App gives ESPN+ subscribers a basic download feature, letting you save certain videos for offline watching.
- On computers, though, ESPN doesn’t allow direct downloads. If you want to store, transfer, or watch ESPN+ videos offline on your PC, you’ll need a third-party tool like StreamFab ESPN Plus Downloader. It saves high-quality ESPN videos in MP4 format and even lets you send them back to your phone.
Next, I’ll walk you through how to download ESPN videos on both mobile and desktop.
How to Download ESPN Videos on Mobile Phone?
Tool Required: ESPN App
If you’re an ESPN+ subscriber, good news—the official ESPN app on mobile actually lets you download videos for offline viewing. Super handy when you’re stuck somewhere with terrible Wi-Fi. It’s a convenient option for catching up on games, shows, and replays when you're on the go—without relying on a constant internet connection.
ESPN officially offers a video download function, but it is not comprehensive. The specific situation is as follows:
Downloadable content (with restrictions)
Some of the content on the ESPN App (mobile terminal) can be downloaded for offline viewing:
- Available to ESPN+ subscribers only
- Not all content is downloadable — typically includes: Original programming, select ESPN+ exclusive replay content
- Compatible with both iOS and Android devices
- Downloaded videos can only be viewed within the ESPN App, with time limits and DRM protection applied
Unsupported situations
- Live streams are not available for download
- Videos on the ESPN website have no native download option
- Offline download is not available to regular users without an ESPN+ subscription
- The desktop and web versions of ESPN do not offer any download buttons or caching features
A Step-by-Step Guide：
Here are some suggestions for your reference if your ESPN+ is not working properly.
How to Download ESPN Videos on a Computer?
Tool Required: StreamFab ESPN Plus Downloader
I have saved many classic game replays of the Warriors with StreamFab. Whether it's the decisive game of the playoffs or those incredible three-point moments, they can all be easily downloaded through StreamFab.
If you, like me, often want to save some classic games or missed game replals without being bound by time constraints or DRM protection, then StreamFab ESPN Plus Downloader is undoubtedly an ideal choice.
- Download any sports video from ESPN in 720p with a high speed
- Download sports shows and save them as MP4 files
- Download sports shows in AAC 2.0 audio track
- Save sports videos in high framrate 60fps
- Download ESPN to MP4 format with closed caption subtitles
- Download sports shows in batch mode and fast speed
- Download metadata info to manage your videos better
A Step-by-Step Guide：
For me, StreamFab is easily the best tool for saving game replays and those can’t-miss highlight moments. It takes away the pressure of time limits and lets me build my own little library of sports memories—like a personal hall of fame on my hard drive.
A Comparison of These 2 Tools
The ESPN App and StreamFab ESPN Plus Downloader both have their own little perks, depending on what gadget you’re glued to and how you like to watch. To make life easier, here’s a quick side-by-side look at what each one brings to the table:
| Feature | ESPN App | StreamFab ESPN Plus Downloder |
|---|---|---|
| Supported devices | iOS, Android phones & tablets | Windows, Mac computers |
| Officially Provided | √ | x |
| Requires ESPN+ Subscription | √ | √ |
| Content Types Supported | Selected ESPN+ content | Almost all playable ESPN+ content |
| Download Format | Encrypted cache(plays only in app) | Standard MP4 files(playable anywhere) |
| Download Quality | Up to 1080p(depends on source) | 720p |
| Offline Viewing | √ | √ |
| File Expiration | Yes, may expire | No, permanent files |
| Batch Download Support | x | √ |
| Subtitles Download | x | √ |
If you’re curious about more ways to save ESPN videos in MP4 format, you can check out a detailed espn-to-mp4 guide that breaks it all down.
FAQs
Not every ESPN+ video is downloadable. The ones that are usually have a small download icon next to them. If you don’t see that, it’s likely streaming-only content.
The ESPN App doesn’t let you download live streams, unfortunately. StreamFab, on the other hand, can grab the video once the live stream wraps up and becomes available as on-demand content—so you’re not totally out of luck. If it's only in the form of live streaming, then I suggest you try the RecordFab screen recording tool.
3. Is it legal to download ESPN videos and keep them forever?
Well, that’s where things get tricky. If you try to permanently save ESPN videos by bypassing DRM protection, you could be stepping into copyright territory—especially in the U.S., where the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) comes into play. So yeah, proceed carefully.
The smartest move is to keep your downloads strictly for personal use and play by your local copyright rules. But if you want a little more freedom while still staying legal, StreamFab ESPN Plus Downloader is definitely the way to go. Just remember—keep it personal, not commercial.
More about how to record ESPN+ videos.
Final Words
Whether you’re a casual fan sneaking in highlights on your phone or a die-hard saving every full match on your PC, being able to download ESPN videos just gives you that extra bit of freedom and control over how—and when—you watch. The ESPN App is perfect if you just want an easy way to watch offline on your phone. But if you care about top-notch video quality and the freedom to use multiple devices, StreamFab ESPN Plus Downloader is the better pick, hands down.
