How to watch ESPN and ESPN+ from anywhere with a VPN

Unfortunately, ESPN isn’t available everywhere. This can cause problems for sports fans who, for example, want to watch their favorite team play while on vacation abroad (outside of the US). Even assuming you can stream ESPN where you are, there’s a good chance that some sports are subject to regional restrictions (sometimes called blackouts) due to broadcasting rights.

If you try to access an ESPN site from abroad without a VPN, you’ll probably encounter an error like “An unexpected error occurred” or “ESPN+ is not available in your country due to content rights issues.”

On the plus side, it’s fairly easy to stream ESPN live online with the right VPN. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN connection masks your real location so that you can browse safely and regain access to your usual services while traveling.

In this article, we’ll explain exactly how to watch ESPN and ESPN+ from anywhere with a VPN, and we’ll list the best providers for the job. We cover each of our recommended VPNs in more detail later on, but if you need a quick summary, here are our top choices.

We found these to be the best VPNs for ESPN and ESPN Plus:

1. NordVPN: The best option for watching ESPN from abroad. A vast server network achieves reliable streaming speeds for all sports events. Good privacy features. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for ESPN.
2. Surfshark: Best budget choice for ESPN and a perfect VPN for a sports enthusiast. Intuitive apps, strong security, and great streaming potential. Keeps no logs.
3. IPVanish: A zero-logs provider boasting excellent speeds, strong security, and no connection limit. Works with ESPN and all of your other favorite sports platforms.
4. ExpressVPN: Secure and reliable servers in 105 countries. Works with ESPN and can access content on most major streaming sites. Top privacy and security.
5. CyberGhost: Streaming optimized servers and easy-to-use apps. Private and secure, with a large network of over 10,000 servers. A reliable choice for ESPN.
6. PureVPN: High-speed service that can help you access ESPN from anywhere. Very easy to use, with 24/7 customer support and a solid level of security. Protect 10 devices at once.
7. ProtonVPN: Boasts an advanced security toolkit and solid speeds. Exceptional streaming ability, working with ESPN and many similar platforms.
8. Private Internet Access: Has great unblocking capabilities around the world and works well with ESPN. No connection limit and has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more.

How to watch ESPN live online from anywhere

New to VPNs and not sure where to begin? Don’t worry; the process is easier than you might expect.

Here’s how to unblock ESPN from abroad in a few simple steps:

1. Sign up for a quality VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app, making sure to get the correct version for your device.
3. Open the app and select a server location in the US – the closer the server is to you, the better speeds you’ll enjoy, but be sure to avoid the blackout region for the team you’re watching.
4. Hit the Connect button.
5. Open the ESPN stream and start watching!

If you encounter any issues, try clearing your cookies and cache, then reloading the page. Alternatively, try connecting to a different server or contacting your VPN’s support team for more assistance.

Criteria for choosing the best ESPN VPNs

Not just any VPN will work with ESPN. Some are easily blocked, too slow or unable to provide adequate protection. We sought out the best available options by testing providers in the following areas:

• Speed: To find VPNs that were suitable for live HD streaming, we carried out a series of speed tests while connected to their US servers.
• Streaming ability: We scored providers on the number of US server locations they had, as well as their overall server count. We checked that they worked with ESPN and ESPN+, and then tested them with popular platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
• Security and privacy: We evaluated each provider’s ability to keep you safe online using 16 individual security and privacy metrics. Only those that performed well were recommended.
• Ease of use: VPN software needn’t be difficult to use. To find the most beginner-friendly services, we evaluated providers against 10 different ease-of-use criteria.
• Value for money: Nobody wants to pay more than they need to for a VPN subscription. We found the providers with the best deals by assessing them against eight different value-for-money metrics.

You can read more about our testing process — and see the results of the tests — in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that most impressed us.

The best VPNs for ESPN: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for streaming ESPN outside the US.

Best VPNs for streaming ESPN

Here are the best VPNs for streaming ESPN from abroad:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025 Unblocks ESPNTested Apr 2025

NordVPN is our number one choice VPN for accessing ESPN anywhere, and with good reason. This veteran provider offers an impressive 118 server country locations spread across the globe, including a whopping 1,900+ RAM-only servers in the United States.

We tested NordVPN’s speeds multiple times over the course of a day while connected to its US servers. The results were impressive, as you can see from the chart below.

The provider averaged 200.21 Mbps overall, which means you won’t notice any lag or buffering while enjoying sports streams — even when using multiple devices simultaneously. User bandwidth isn’t restricted in any way, and you can connect up to ten devices at a time.

This provider incorporates great features in terms of security like 256-bit encryption, a customizable internet kill switch, leak protection, and double-hop servers, which route your data through two locations instead of one.

There’s also a true no-logs policy, plus you can pay in Bitcoin, meaning paper trails are minimized and privacy all but guaranteed.

NordVPN has user-friendly apps available for iOS and Android as well as Windows, Linux, and MacOS. Manual configuration is required for use with supported routers.

BEST VPN FOR ESPN:NordVPN is our top pick for ESPN. Connects up to 10 devices simultaneously. Works well with most popular streaming services and offers consistently high speeds. Impressive security features and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

unblocks espnTested Apr 2025

Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, including the US. It’s consistently quick, with an average tested download speed of 194.22 Mbps.

This is certainly fast enough to watch live sports streams or any other popular streaming services! As a bonus, you can enjoy unlimited simultaneous connections.

In addition to ESPN, Surfshark works with a wide range of other streaming platforms. We had no issues accessing Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or BBC iPlayer during testing.

This service doesn’t log any personally identifiable information. It does store some data (such as whether your connection attempt failed), but this is for diagnostic purposes only. Surfshark VPN actually takes your security very seriously. Its apps include AES-256 encryption, protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, and a kill switch.

There’s also the option to sign up anonymously with a throwaway email address and cryptocurrency payment.

This VPN has software for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. It can be manually configured for use with home routers too.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark users can easily unblock ESPN and provides a secure, private connection. This wallet-friendly service even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. IPVanish

Unblocks ESPNTested Apr 2025

IPVanish continues with the tradition of having a user-first mindset. It operates around 2,400 of servers spread across 140 locations worldwide. More than 1,020 of its servers are in the US, making it a great choice for US-based streaming services like ESPN.

In our tests, IPVanish achieved speeds ranging from 166.30 Mbps to 178.14 Mbps, with an overall average of 171.14 Mbps. 

This makes it suitable for watching ESPN on up to six devices simultaneously without interruption. You needn’t limit your viewing to ESPN, though, as IPVanish also works with Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.

The company is based in the United States but follows a strict “no-logs” policy coupled with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. Need help? Customer support can be reached 24/7 via email and live chat.

Apps are available for iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android. IPVanish also offers support for Linux systems and select routers, but you’ll have to install these manually. IPVanish subscriptions allow you to secure all of your devices simultaneously, and their new advanced subscription tier comes with a secure server and 1TB of cloud storage included.

PROTECT EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish has a large network of servers and handles multiple connections well. Easy to use and preferred by users who need high standards of privacy.30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

Unblocks ESPNTested Apr 2025

ExpressVPN is a solid bet for streaming ESPN online. It has servers in 105 countries, plus 24 locations to choose from in the US. This makes it well-suited to those hoping to bypass ESPN’s regional blackouts and see their local team play.

The provider also works seamlessly with other popular streaming platforms, including Disney Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

We tested ExpressVPN’s speeds multiple times while connected to its US servers. The provider was fast — as you can see from the results in the chart below.

Overall, ExpressVPN averaged 135.04 Mbps, which is more than quick enough for smoothly streaming ESPN.

This service uses 256-bit AES military-grade encryption and comes with DNS and IPv6 leak protection plus a kill switch that completely halts all internet traffic if the connection drops. ExpressVPN doesn’t log any data that could identify you, but you’re free to pay in Bitcoin for a little extra anonymity.

ExpressVPN has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, so you can view the action on the device of your choice. There’s also a new and improved router firmware that can protect every device on your network.

IMPRESSIVE SECURITY:ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable choice. Great at providing secure access to content from all over the world. Top online privacy features and a strict no-logs policy. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

Unblocks ESPNTested Apr 2025

CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN service that will appeal to users on a budget. It doesn’t have the fancy customizable settings associated with some of the other providers in our list, but it does have decent speeds and a huge server network with over 10,000 servers globally.

In our tests, CyberGhost achieved an average download speed of 151.56 Mbps. This makes it suitable for streaming college games in 4K as well as other tasks such as gaming or torrenting.

Notably, the provider has a list of servers that work with particular streaming platforms. It has a server for ESPN+, and servers for numerous other services — including Netflix, SlingTV, and Hulu.

It boasts a strong security offering too, with 256-bit AES encryption, WireGuard support, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch.

CyberGhost even recently launched its standalone Windows security suite, so it’s clear that this provider has big plans for the future. CyberGhost doesn’t log any personally identifiable data and provides around-the-clock support via email and live chat.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS mobile devices as well as Windows and macOS. Linux systems and supported routers must be configured manually.

RELIABLE OPTION:CyberGhost has a simple set up. Great privacy and security. Streaming-optimized servers for fuss-free viewing. 45-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

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6. PureVPN

Unblocks ESPNTested Apr 2025

PureVPN offers multiple server locations in the US and has servers in 64 other countries. Best of all, it has a list of “Shortcuts”, which are servers that work with specific streaming platforms — and that open the platform’s website when you select them.

The ESPN Plus server worked great, as did the servers for Netflix and Hulu.

PureVPN’s speeds were consistently quick and varied by just 9.45 Mbps between tests. Overall, the provider averaged 138.88 Mbps, making it a great choice for watching ESPN in high definition.

With always-on obfuscation, PureVPN works in countries with extreme censorship — so you’ll be able to use it in countries such China. The provider has a 10-connection limit and 24/7 support over live chat, just in case you need it.

Here’s the best part: PureVPN makes it as easy as possible to stay safe online. By default, it uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to stop any of your activities from being monitored. It also boasts a strict no-logs policy, something we know for sure thanks to its extensive audit history. There is a tracker-blocking feature, but this only works if you choose the more expensive Plus or Max subscription. That’s unfortunate, but not a deal-breaker since many competing services don’t offer this feature at all.

PureVPN has its own Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Linux apps. If you’d prefer, it can be manually installed on a wide range of home routers instead.

FAST SPEEDS:PureVPN provides solid speeds and excellent streaming capabilities, so streaming ESPN abroad is nice and easy. Not only that, it has a great record on privacy. Every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our complete review of PureVPN.

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7. ProtonVPN

Unblocks ESPNTested Apr 2025

ProtonVPN provides a mammoth 3,182 servers in the US, and has a total server count that exceeds 12,000. Users can choose to connect to any one of the 117 supported countries using a map on the app’s dashboard.

The provider has servers in 17 US cities that work great with ESPN as well as the US versions of Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video.

It’s fast too, averaging 140.43 Mbps in our tests. You can see the individual results in the table below. 

One of the great things about this service is how much freedom it gives you. Users can let certain apps through the VPN, set up port forwarding, or connect to Secure Core servers for an even higher level of privacy. Naturally, there’s unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, plus automatic ad and tracker-blocking. ProtonVPN refuses to log any details of your activities and has been audited to prove it. It even accepts multiple anonymous payment methods!

ProtonVPN apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. Further, it provides manual setup instructions for most types of routers. Having problems? Just let support staff know; they’re ready to help 24 hours per day over live chat.

FIRST-CLASS PRIVACY:ProtonVPN goes above and beyond to keep you safe. Additionally, it boasts fast speeds and works with a ton of popular streaming platforms. Paid subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To find out more, check out our full ProtonVPN review.

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8. Private Internet Access

Unblocks ESPNTested Apr 2025

Private Internet Access is perfect for users looking to watch ESPN from abroad, and has over 10,000 servers in 91 countries. The US-based provider has servers in all 50 US states as well as dedicated streaming servers that work great at accessing ESPN as well as Netflix and Hulu from abroad.

PIA allows users to connect as many devices as they want simultaneously. This is combined with support for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more, letting your entire household stream ESPN from almost any device.

Although PIA supports the WireGuard protocol, its tested speeds were slower than the other providers in this list. Nevertheless, its average download speed of 72.35 Mbps is fast enough for smooth and uninterrupted HD streaming.

Coupled with DNS leak protection, a kill switch, AES encryption, and the ability to select your level of encryption, you can almost guarantee a safe and private streaming experience.

You’ll have 30 days to cancel PIA, letting you enjoy its features for a month risk-free.

LARGE SERVER NETWORK:With thousands of servers in 91+ countries worldwide, you’ll never have problems finding a nearby server to stream ESPN. All plans include a 30-day cancellation policy.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

Using a free VPN to watch ESPN

A bit of digging around on Google, DuckDuckGo, or Reddit will help you uncover free VPN services, but our recommendation is to avoid this trap. Firstly, most free VPN providers don’t have the speeds required to stream content. Even if they do, a lot of them can’t overcome geographical restrictions.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and such options will bombard you with all sorts of tracking cookies, advertisements, and other methods to mine browsing data that pass through the VPN.

There’s also a very real risk of malware infection, which can take several excruciating hours to fix, as well as the possibility of data loss. In some cases, free VPN services have been caught selling or otherwise abusing user data without their permission – a major security concern. A recent example was Hola VPN, a browser plugin with over 50 million users, that used its critical mass to attack other sites.

That’s an abhorrent practice and a stark reminder of the fact that typically when the product is free, you end up being the product.

Methodology: Choosing the best VPNs for ESPN

There are hundreds of VPN providers clamouring for your attention. Deciding between them is tricky, as some make false claims about their abilities. To ensure users don’t get caught out, we carried out a battery of tests in five key areas:

Speed

When it comes to sports streaming, poor performance could lead to you missing a crucial moment. To prevent this from happening, we tested providers’ speeds at multiple points over the course of a day (in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon). The test machine was rate-limited to 250 Mbps (since this is the average home broadband speed in the US), and measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app.

Once the results were in, we averaged them to get a better idea of the speeds users might expect overall. Speeds for each provider were then converted to a score out of 10 and normalized relative to one another. This makes direct comparison easier, as you can see below.

NordVPN scored a perfect 10, with Surfshark’s score of 9.6 not far behind. Both providers are fast enough to stream ESPN in HD on multiple devices at the same time. They’re also fast enough for gaming, torrenting, and pretty much anything else you can think of.

Streaming suitability

First and foremost, you have to be able to watch ESPN online. We tested our top VPNs with ESPN+ and the services that carry the channel (like Hulu and Disney Plus) to see how effective they were at beating regional restrictions. We also scored providers on the number of US server locations they had, as well as the overall number of servers they had. Both metrics can help gauge whether congestion is likely.

We averaged the resulting scores and converted them to overall scores out of 10 for each provider.

ExpressVPN’s score of 8.8 was the highest. The provider has servers in 24 US locations and works with pretty much every streaming platform you can find. Surfshark is a great alternative. It’s just as good at streaming, but has a couple fewer US server locations when tested.

Security and privacy

To ensure your online activities are kept hidden from snoopers, we only recommend VPNs with 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Of course, this is the bare minimum, and we prefer providers that go even further. You can see where providers outdid their competitors in the table below.

Each of the metrics used above was assigned a score, which were combined to generate an overall score out of 10 for each VPN.

NordVPN and Surfshark took joint first place with scores of 9.5. Both VPNs use effectively uncrackable encryption and RAM-only servers. They also have no-logs policies that have been independently audited multiple times. ProtonVPN and PIA are strong alternatives.

Ease of use

All of the VPNs above are suitable for complete beginners to use. Further, they all have free, live-chat-based customer support just in case you run into any issues. You can see which other ease-of-use features each provider has in the table below.

Again, each of the above metrics was given a score. These were summed to generate an overall score out of 10 for comparison.

NordVPN and PIA each scored 9.6, suggesting they were the easiest-to-use providers overall. Both VPNs have beginner-friendly apps, task-specific servers, and a straightforward cancellation process.

Value for money

We never recommend a service that charges more than it’s worth. Additionally, to make sure you pay as little as possible, we look for any discounts or money-back guarantees that are available. You can see which providers offer the most money-saving features in the table below.

As before, we calculated a score for each criteria, and then combined them to give an overall score out of 10 for comparison.

Surfshark’s score of 9.7 earned it first place. IPVanish came a close second with a score of 9.6. Both providers have low-cost long-term subscriptions and allow unlimited simultaneous device connections — which makes account-sharing a possibility.

How to watch ESPN online without cable

ESPN is available online from a few different sources. Unfortunately, these are all only available in the US:

• ESPN+ is ESPN’s standalone streaming service that costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. Note that a VPN will likely not work if you’re using an Android or iOS smartphone to watch.
• WatchESPN is basically the main ESPN website and app where you can watch live streams if you log in with your US cable provider.
• Sling TV is a streaming television service designed for cord-cutters who don’t have cable or satellite. The cost for Sling Orange, which includes ESPN, is $35 per month.
• YouTube TV is a paid service from YouTube that carries several live channels for $64.99 per month, including ESPN and ESPN2. You can even record games for later viewing with no storage limits. Up to six accounts are allowed per household, plus there’s a two-day free trial.
• Hulu + Live TV is Hulu’s streaming live TV service in the US. A 7-day free trial is available. You can watch in a web browser or get the app for Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, game consoles, Roku, and smart TV.
• fuboTV is yet another over-the-top option. It costs $64.99 per month following a seven-day trial and lets you stream a wide range of sports channels, including ESPN, CBS Sports, FS1, NFL Network, and BeIN Sports.

What’s on ESPN in 2024/25

On ESPN, you can watch a wide range of sports live and on-demand. This includes the NFL, MLB, and NHL.

American Football (NFL)

• Monday Night Football
• Saturday night regular season games (weeks 14-18)
• Pro Bowl
• NFL Playoffs (x1 wildcard game and x1 divisional playoff game)
• ESPN College Football
• Manningcast
• NFL Live

Soccer

• English Football League (EFL), EFL Cup, FA Cup
• Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2, Supercup
• La Liga, Copa del Rey
• Eredivisie
• Belgian Pro League

Baseball (MLB)

• Opening night games
• Sunday Night Baseball
• Wild Card Series (American League and National League)

Basketball (NBA)

• Wednesday night regular season games
• Friday night regular season games
• NBA in-season tournament
• Saturday Primetime
• Sunday Showcase
• Exclusive Christmas games
• NBA play-in tournament
• NBA playoffs
• WNBA on ESPN
• ESPN College Basketball
• EuroLeague

Cricket

• New Zealand national cricket team
• West Indies national cricket team
• Regional Super50

Ice Hockey (NHL)

• Exclusive Thursday and Saturday night regular season games
• Stadium Series
• NHL All-Star Weekend
• Stanley Cup Playoffs
• Exclusive Stanley Cup Finals on ABC (on even-numbered years)

Tennis

• Australian Open
• Wimbledon
• US Open

Golf

• PGA Tour
• PGA Championship
• Masters

Motorsports

• Formula 1

Combat

• UFC
• Professional Fighters League
• Top Rank

Aside from sporting events, ESPN+ offers its own original content. This includes Peyton’s Places, Man in the Arena: Tom Brady, and Inside the College Football Playoff. 

You’ll also have access to 30 for 30, ESPN’s series of documentary films, which include Al Davis vs. the NFL, The Life & Trials of Oscar Pistorius, and Be Water.

A VPN is also a fantastic way to gain access to ESPN’s coverage of the 2024/25 NBA season. Basketball is increasingly popular all around the world, and those looking to stream NBA games can do so by getting an ESPN+ subscription using a VPN.

Alternatively, you can stream the NBA on ESPN via DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, Vidgo, or Spectrum TV Choice.

A subscription to any of these services will let you stream NBA games from outside the US, whether you are on vacation or living abroad for work.

Just remember that many VPNs are too slow for streaming NBA and other American sports live, so stick to recommended services to avoid disappointment.

The VPNs for ESPN in this guide are perfect for streaming the NBA because they offer fast speeds, and can even let you access blackout games from within the USA. This ensures you have access to the entire NBA season, no matter which state you live in – or where you need to travel abroad.

Watching ESPN with a VPN: FAQ