Nick Kyrgios leads ESPN on Disney+ campaign

Australian tennis star and NBA 'superfan' Nick Kyrgios is fronting Disney+'s latest campaign, bringing an energetic push to the launch of ESPN on the streaming platform.

Arriving in Australia and New Zealand on 26 March 2025, the move marks Disney's most significant play for the local sports market, bundling ESPN with both Disney+ Premium and Disney+ Standard subscriptions.

The launch lineup includes major events like the NBA Playoffs, NCAA March Madness, MLB Opening Day, the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, and UFC Fight Night. The ESPN hub on Disney+ will feature live ESPN and ESPN2 channels, on-demand replays, studio shows such as SportsCenter and NBA Today, and its award-winning 30 for 30 documentary series.

Disney's sports push puts pressure on Foxtel

Disney is looking to deepen its investment in domestic sports rights, positioning ESPN on Disney+ as a direct competitor to Foxtel, which is currently in the process of being acquired by DAZN.

The move signals a shift in the streaming landscape, with Disney+ evolving beyond entertainment to become a more comprehensive platform for both live sports and general content.

Kylie Watson-Wheeler, The Walt Disney Company ANZ senior vice president and ESPN Asia-Pacific head, called it a milestone moment in ESPN’s 30-year history in Australia. "We're thrilled to bring ESPN’s compelling sports offering to Disney+ subscribers in addition to the expansive and beloved entertainment already available on the platform," she said.

Australia and New Zealand will be the first English-speaking markets outside North America to introduce ESPN on Disney+, following its US debut in December 2024. The integration underscores Disney's global strategy to merge live sports with its broader entertainment portfolio, which already includes brands like Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.

Foxtel still a key player in ESPN distribution

Despite Disney's growing sports ambitions, ESPN will remain available through Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ, ensuring that subscribers outside the Disney+ ecosystem can still access the network. ESPN’s local operations span TV, digital, and editorial platforms, with its 30th anniversary in Australia set for September 2025.

As competition in the sports streaming space intensifies, the Disney+ and ESPN bundle adds another layer to the battle for live sports audiences. With the backing of Disney’s content empire and a major local campaign fronted by Kyrgios, the platform is betting on sports as a key driver for subscriber growth.

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