Sports

5 Best VPNs for Streaming Sports in 2024

By Novak Bozovic / January 17, 2024

Sports broadcasters are more restrictive than ever about where they stream their matches, and you might find your favorite team’s games affected by region-based restrictions. Yes, we're talking about sports blackouts, forcing you to either pay for a live TV channel or go watch the game live. There’s a simple fix, though: you can use a sports VPN to spoof your location.

A high-quality sports VPN unblocks geo-blocks and blacked-out games by replacing your real IP address with one from its servers in another country. On top of that, VPNs also offer improved privacy and security. More importantly, they let you subscribe to sports streaming services at lower regional prices by changing your IP, thus saving you money.

We’re here to assist you in finding the best VPN for streaming sports to help you follow your favorite teams without any slowdowns. We'll also show you how to use a VPN to watch local sports, how to pick the best VPN available, help you learn about why you need a VPN for streaming sports, and we'll answer some FAQs as well.

Best VPNs for Streaming Sports - Our Shortlist

  1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated Best VPN for Streaming Sports Overall
  2. Surfshark - Beginner-Friendly Sports VPN with Lots of Servers
  3. ExpressVPN - Fully Automated VPN to Watch Sports on Any Device
  4. CyberGhost VPN - VPN That Unblocks 50+ Streaming Services
  5. PIA VPN - Ultra-Powerful VPN Covering All 50 US States

How to Use a VPN to Watch Sports?

To use a VPN to watch sports online, you need to pick, download, and install your chosen VPN. Once you connect to its server, you can start streaming your local sports events - like so:

  1. Sign up for a VPN suitable for sports streaming (we recommend NordVPN).
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your preferred device(s).
  3. Log in to the VPN app and reach its home screen.
  4. Connect to a VPN server in a region with access to the game you wish to watch.
  5. You can now access your streaming service(s). That’s all!

To bypass sports blackouts, connect to a VPN server outside of your home US state, in a location where the game you want to watch is available for broadcast. And if you wish to unblock a geo-blocked streaming service, pick a server in its home country.

The Best VPNs for Watching Sports in 2024

Your search for the best VPN for watching sports should be based on specific criteria. Your goal should be to find a VPN that unblocks the most popular sports streaming services, including (but not limited to) DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, ESPN+, YouTube TV, DAZN, and Sling TV. To make that possible, your chosen VPN needs a large server network across the US as well as worldwide.

Next, you'll want fast speeds and streaming-friendly performance. Let's not forget that you'll want obfuscated servers (to hide your VPN data) and a kill switch (to prevent accidental data leaks). There should also be a no-logs policy, robust VPN protocols, and tough encryption. Also, think about how many devices you want to cover and ensure you get enough simultaneous connections.

Speaking of devices, you'll want a VPN with native software across the board. You'll also want reliable customer support, available 24/7. And, to make your purchase as risk-free as possible, go for a VPN with a generous money-back policy, affordable pricing, and plenty of value overall.

Taking those criteria into account, here are the 5 best VPNs for watching sports in 2024:

1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated Best VPN for Streaming Sports Overall

Editor's Pick
Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chromebook
Kindle
Chrome
Firefox
PlayStation
Apple TV
Xbox
Amazon Fire TV
Nintendo Switch
All game consoles
Chromecast
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

NordVPN is the best VPN to bypass sports blackouts in 2024, as well as the best VPN for sports streaming overall. That's because NordVPN works with any streaming service we tested it with, such as YouTube TV, FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, ESPN Plus, DAZN, and countless others.

Also, it has 6,000+ servers in 60+ countries in total, and it covers the US with around 2,000 servers in 15 cities. Aside from that, NordVPN has fast and stable connection speeds that work great for streaming in high quality. In fact, this is among the fastest VPNs right now.

As for protocols, NordVPN supports NordLynx (WireGuard) and OpenVPN, paired with high-end encryption ciphers. You also count on NordVPN's obfuscated servers (not all servers come with obfuscation, but all US-based servers do), a capable kill switch, and there's also an audited no-logs policy.

You can install NordVPN on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and even on routers. Furthermore, a SmartDNS feature that even unblocks streaming sites on devices that don’t support VPNs. In total, you get 6 simultaneous connections with this VPN.

If you want to try NordVPN, you can use its generous 30-day money-back guarantee. In addition, you can connect to 24/7 live chat support to get help with any questions. In the end, we'll mention that NordVPN comes priced at $3.39/month for its 2-year subscription.

PROS

  • Unblocks any streaming platform.
  • Among the fastest VPN providers.
  • Works on any device/platform.
  • 6 simultaneous connections.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • 24/7 live chat support.

CONS

  • Not all servers are obfuscated.

2. Surfshark - Beginner-Friendly Sports VPN with Lots of Servers

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chrome
Firefox
Amazon Fire TV
All game consoles
All smart TVs
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

Surfshark is an ultra-powerful VPN to stream Sky Sports, MLB.tv, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and ESPN Plus, among plenty more platforms. In fact, you'll get to unblock dozens of streaming platforms from the US and other countries. That's because Surfshark is known for its sizable server network.

More precisely, this VPN offers 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries worldwide. Around 600 of those are in the US, across 25 cities. We'll also mention that Surfshark certainly holds its own when it comes to streaming sports. It's a fast-performing VPN that offers equally fast speeds across all its nearby and remote servers.

Surfshark comes with support for OpenVPN and WireGuard, paired with powerful encryption ciphers such as AES-256 and ChaCha20. Obfuscation is on board as well, which you can enable when needed, and you'll also find a kill switch that prevents accidental leaks. Without any surprise, Surfshark is also a no-logs provider.

It also offers a Smart DNS feature that lets you use it on almost any type of device. Additionally, it provides native apps on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and others. You also get unlimited simultaneous connections.

Surfshark has an industry-standard 30-day money-back guarantee and offers responsive 24/7 live chat support. Everything said above is available for $1.99 per month if you pick Surfshark's 2-year subscription plan.

PROS

  • Unlimited simultaneous connections.
  • Smooth and fast performance.
  • Works with many streaming services.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • 24/7 live chat support.

CONS

  • Can take a while to connect.

3. ExpressVPN - Fully Automated VPN to Watch Sports on Any Device

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chromebook
Kindle
Nook
Chrome
Firefox
PlayStation
Apple TV
Xbox
Amazon Fire TV
Roku
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

ExpressVPN is another powerful option because of its vast fleet of 3,000+ servers spread across 100+ countries, including hundreds of servers across 20+ US locations. This network gives you plenty of options for sports streaming, with access to ESPN Plus, YouTube TV, DAZN, Hulu + Live TV, MLB.TV, Sling TV, Paramount Plus, and more.

To ensure optimal, buffer-free streaming, ExpressVPN uses Lightway, built for speed. It encodes your data with military-grade 256-bit encryption, ensuring there won’t be any breaches of your privacy. ExpressVPN also offers a solid no-logs policy, further enforced by RAM-only servers.

We'll also mention that ExpressVPN brings obfuscated servers - its entire network comes with obfuscation enabled by default. And, thanks to its kill switch ('Network Lock'), you can rest assured that no data leaks will happen.

With support for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and even Linux, you can use ExpressVPN on many different types of devices. Additionally, it offers 8 simultaneous connections, which seems generous enough.

Let’s not forget to mention that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can find out if it's a good fit for you at no risk. On top of that, they offer 24/7 live chat support that’s ready to help with any of your questions. Lastly, this VPN is priced at $6.67 per month for its annual subscription plan.

PROS

  • Supports most streaming apps.
  • Fast and stable performance.
  • Very easy to use.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • 24/7 live chat support.

CONS

  • Limited customization.

4. CyberGhost VPN - VPN That Unblocks 50+ Streaming Services

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chrome
Firefox
PlayStation
Xbox
Amazon Fire TV
Nintendo Switch
Samsung Smart TV
All game consoles
All smart TVs
Roku
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

If you’re looking for an affordable option, then CyberGhost is a great pick. It excels in two areas specifically: it has a vast network of 11,500+ servers in 100+ countries (2,000+ US servers in 10+ locations), and it offers 7 simultaneous device connections

In addition, CyberGhost has specialized servers that are constantly tested to make sure they can unblock certain streaming sites. These servers let you connect to top sports streaming services and platforms, including ESPN+, YouTube TV, DirecTV, FuboTV, and others.

Its connection speeds do well for buffer-free sports streaming. However, CyberGhost does lag behind its competition in terms of how fast it is. Also, it doesn’t offer any unique tunneling protocols (like NordLynx or Lightway). Instead, it uses WireGuard and OpenVPN. It also lacks obfuscation but still works great for bypassing blackouts and geo-blocks.

Furthermore, CyberGhost is based in Romania, a country with favorable VPN laws, unlike the standard EU data retention rules. Besides its strong privacy policy, it also has a kill switch that stops accidental data leaks.

Lastly, you can try CyberGhost out with complete peace of mind due to their 45-day money-back guarantee. If you get stuck or have questions, you can also connect to their 24/7 live chat and get help instantly. Plus, all that is available for $2.19 per month (2-year subscription).

PROS

  • Unblocks dozens of streaming sites.
  • Specialized streaming servers.
  • 7 simultaneous connections.
  • 45-day money-back guarantee.
  • 24/7 live chat support.

CONS

  • Slower than its competitors. 
  • No obfuscation.

5. PIA VPN - Ultra-Powerful VPN Covering All 50 US States

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chrome
Firefox
PlayStation
Xbox
Amazon Fire TV
Nintendo Switch
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a solid pick if you’re a more advanced user. You can stream live sports with no problem through its high-speed 10-Gbps servers that cover 90+ countries. It can unblock almost every sports service out there, especially if it’s in the US (as it has servers in all 50 US states). This includes YouTube TV, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Furthermore, PIA offers unlimited simultaneous device connections. You can install its apps on many different systems, including Linux, Windows, iOS, and more - meaning that you can watch sports at home on your desktop or through your phone on the go.

It utilizes two popular protocols, WireGuard and OpenVPN, that use military-grade encryption. You'll also get to use two types of kill switches, and obfuscation is there as well. PIA also features an audited no-logs policy and open-source apps, meaning that it respects your privacy and has nothing to hide.

We'll also add that PIA can be quite fast, but only if you optimize it. This VPN comes with in-depth fine-tuning, making it suitable for more advanced users. Out of the box, this isn't the fastest option around, so we recommend having a fast baseline connection.

Lastly, PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and responsive 24/7 live chat support. It comes priced at $2.19 per month for its 2-year subscription plan, which means that it offers plenty of value overall.

PROS

  • Highly customizable.
  • Good security protocols.
  • Unblocks major sports services.
  • 24/7 live chat support.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee.

CONS

  • Not the fastest option.
  • Not beginner-friendly.

Best VPNs to Watch Sports: Compared

NordVPN Surfshark ExpressVPN CyberGhost VPN PIA VPN
Sports Streaming Services Supported FuboTV
DirecTV Stream
YouTube TV
Hulu Live TV
DAZN
ESPN Plus
Paramount Plus
Sling TV
Prime Video
FuboTV
DirecTV Stream
YouTube TV
Hulu Live TV
DAZN
ESPN Plus
Paramount Plus
Sling TV
Prime Video
FuboTV
DirecTV Stream
YouTube TV
Hulu Live TV
DAZN
ESPN Plus
Paramount Plus
Sling TV
Prime Video
FuboTV
DirecTV Stream
YouTube TV
Hulu Live TV
DAZN
ESPN Plus
Paramount Plus
Sling TV
Prime Video
FuboTV
YouTube TV
Hulu Live TV
DAZN
ESPN Plus
Sling TV
Prime Video
Number of Servers 6,000+ in 60+ countries 3,200+ in 100 countries 3,200+ in 100+ countries 11,500+ in 100+ countries N/A in 90+ countries
Performance Ultra-Fast Fast Fast Medium Medium
Logging No logs (audited) No logs (audited) No logs (audited) No logs (audited) No logs (audited)
Simultaneous Connections 7 Unlimited 8 6 Unlimited
Obfuscated Servers YES YES YES NO YES
Kill Switch YES YES YES YES YES
Money-Back Guarantees 30 days 30 days 30 days 45 days 30 days
Customer Support 24/7 live chat support 24/7 live chat support 24/7 live chat support 24/7 live chat support 24/7 live chat support
Get NordVPN Get Surfshark Get ExpressVPN Get CyberGhost VPN Get PIA VPN

Why Do You Need a VPN When Streaming Sports?

You need a VPN for watching sports to be able to bypass blackouts, unblock new streaming services, and protect your privacy while doing so. Here's more information:

How to Choose the Best Sports VPN?

To choose the best VPN for watching sports, make sure it has servers in many locations, the ability to bypass sports blackouts, as well as apps for all your devices. Here’s more info:

What Are the Best Sports Streaming Services?

Some of the best sports streaming services are fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and ESPN+. These platforms let you watch sports matches and PPV events without cable — you just need an Internet connection. We’ve listed them with their availability in the table below.

Streaming Service Availability
fuboTV Available in the US, Canada, and Spain.
Hulu + Live TV Available in the USA only
YouTube TV Available in the USA only.
Sling TV Available in the USA only.
ESPN+ Available in the USA only.
DirecTV Stream Available in the USA only.
Paramount Plus Available in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, and South America.
Peacock Available in the USA only.
Sky Sports Available in the UK only.
Sportsnet NOW Available in Canada only.
BBC iPlayer Available in the UK only.
NBC Sports Available in the USA only.
Prime Video Accessible across 200+ countries. However, regional content can vary.

The table above shows that most of the best sports streaming services are not available in all countries. To access them, you’ll need a sports VPN that lets you bypass geo-restrictions. To learn more, we recommend checking out our article on the best sports streaming services.

Can I Use a Free VPN for Streaming Sports?

No, you can't use a free VPN for streaming live sports. That's because free VPNs can't unblock sports streaming services, and they can't bypass blackout restrictions. Also, there are plenty more reasons to stay away from free VPNs, so let's explain.

First of all, free VPNs don’t offer unlimited data. Most of them put you on a monthly or daily data allowance. Another issue is that free VPNs are not privacy-focused, and most of them sell their users’ data and show ads to monetize their services.

Also, free VPNs tend to offer a handful of servers only. Most of the time, those servers are overcrowded, which is why free VPNs are generally quite slow. We'll remind you that since you'll be streaming, you'll need a fast VPN to avoid buffering.

In short, free VPNs are unreliable, unoptimized, and slow. However, what you do is a VPN free trial, which gives you access to premium features for a limited time.

For example, NordVPN's free trial can be activated on Android, and it lasts for 7 days. This VPN also has a 30-day money-back guarantee for all its other supported devices. Once you go through a couple of trials, you can check our guide on the best VPNs for more options.

If you're set on using a free VPN, you can try Proton VPN. It comes from a reputable brand and won't steal your data. However, you'll encounter a limited network and slow speeds.

Final Thoughts

The fact is that sports streaming services are geo-blocked, and also - most of them impose blackouts, which makes streaming local sports events quite frustrating at times. That said, there's an easy way to fix that. A VPN can give you access to any streaming service while also allowing you to bypass geo-blocks and stream sports with no restrictions.

However, you’ll need to choose one with fast connection speeds and servers in the country you want to stream from. If you want the best VPN for sports, we recommend NordVPN. It can bypass any type of geo-block or sports blackout. On top of that, NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs available today; it’s easy to use and comes ready for streaming out of the box.”

FAQ

What Is the Best VPN for Streaming Sports Games? 

The best VPN for streaming sports is NordVPN. It has a wide network and can unblock almost any streaming service for sports. It also offers a great combination of speed, flexibility, and privacy.

What Is the Best VPN for Out-of-Market Sports?

The best VPN for out-of-market sports is NordVPN, as it features a sizable network across the US, allowing you to easily switch between servers in our home state and anywhere else in the country.

Can I Use a VPN to Watch Live Sports?

Yes, you can use a VPN to watch live sports. A VPN lets you access geo-restricted platforms and bypass blackouts with ease. No law restricts you from using a VPN to watch sports, but you may want to read your streaming service’s terms and conditions before using a VPN.

Can I Use a VPN to Watch Regional Sports? 

Yes, you can use a VPN to watch regional sports. All you need to do is connect to a local VPN server, and you’ll be able to get around geo-restrictions and even watch blackout games. For that, you need a VPN with plenty of US servers, such as NordVPN.

Can You Use a VPN to Get Around Sports Blackouts?

Yes, you can use a VPN to get around sports blackouts. To make that happen, you need to connect to a VPN in a US state where the game you want to watch is available. That means you'll need a VPN with plenty of US servers, so we recommend using NordVPN.

How Do I Change My VPN Location to Watch Sports?

To change your VPN location to watch sports, open your VPN application, and you'll see a list of server locations. Connect to any server and make sure your VPN session is active. Once you've done that, you're free to access your favorite streaming service.

Can I Watch Local Sports with a VPN?

Yes, you can watch local sports with a VPN. No matter if you're currently at home or away, just connect to a VPN server in your home region - as easy as that.

That’s all for our guide to the best sports VPN services. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!



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