Are you a fan of the NFL but live in an area where your team's games are blacked out? Don't worry, you're not alone.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the different ways to stream out-of-market NFL games from anywhere.
So whether you're a die-hard fan or just want to catch a few games, read on to learn how to keep up with the latest games.
To get you started, here are the five best VPNs for out-of-market NFL games:
- ExpressVPN - The #1 VPN for out-of-market NFL games. Plenty of fast, reliable servers in the US that deliver stable live streams across the globe.
- NordVPN - One of the fastest VPNs in the world, with a massive global server network, industry-leading security, and more.
- Surfshark - The best budget VPN, with unlimited device connections, excellent privacy tools, fast connections, and user-friendly apps.
- CyberGhost VPN - Beginner-friendly VPN with 9,000+ servers, simple apps, low-cost plans, and excellent performance.
- IPVanish - Easy-to-use apps across unlimited devices, fast speeds, and airtight security combine for a reliable VPN.
Here’s how to watch out-of-market NFL games by using a VPN
If you’re in a rush, a VPN is the fastest way to watch out-of-market NFL games in 2024.
Just follow these simple steps.
- Sign up to a premium, streaming-optimized VPN.* We recommend ExpressVPN. It’s the most powerful VPN for US streaming and has plenty of fast servers.
- Install the VPN on your device(s). If you’re streaming on your laptop or phone, it will be simple. To watch the NFL on your smart TV, you’ll need a special VPN.
- Log in to the VPN and connect to a US server. For out-of-market NFL games, you’ll need a server in the US so you can watch games on NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.
- Sign up to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Then, sit backand enjoy the best games.
If you’ve followed the steps above and still don’t have access to the NFL games, clear your browser’s cookies (it may have logged your location from a previous session).
Also, try a few servers to find the fastest for your location and device.
That’s it! Done.
*(If you’re thinking, "Can’t I just use a free VPN?” – keep reading. We’ll answer that question shortly.)
Deep dive: The best VPNs for the NFL
ExpressVPN isn’t the only VPN that works with out-of-market NFL games.
You have a few more options, which we’ll take a quick look at below. We’ve thoroughly tested every VPN on the list (and many more that didn’t make the final cut) to ensure they deliver fast, stable live streaming on every NFL channel. We also tested them against Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and every other popular streamer.
If you need more information, check out our complete VPN reviews.
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN in the world and the absolute best for viewing NFL games from anywhere in the world. It’s fast, secure, delivers stable connections, and offers excellent value. We extensively tested ExpressVPN's connection speeds across various distant locations, and the results were impressive. Even when connected to servers far away, our internet performance remained top-notch. This means you can enjoy NFL games in stunning 4K HD without any interruptions or slow loading. With ExpressVPN's servers spread across 90+ countries, you can easily access any major NFL channel or content, no matter where you are. Whether you're catching the game on your local network or bypassing online restrictions, ExpressVPN has you covered. Their user-friendly applications work on almost every device, from smartphones and computers to gaming consoles and smart TVs. And here's the best part: ExpressVPN stands behind its service with a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can try it risk-free and experience all the benefits first-hand while catching every thrilling moment of NFL action. NordVPN is a fast and reliable VPN that can be used to stream NFL games without buffering. It also offers industry-leading security features to protect your data while you're streaming. NordVPN is one of the most reliable VPNs for streaming NFL games. It has a massive US server network that delivers stable, buffer-free 4K HD streaming on every streaming site. The provider is compatible with almost every streaming device in your house, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux. Its SmartDNS function enables you to watch on devices that do not natively support VPNs, such as smart TVs and gaming consoles. Alternatively, you can install NordVPN on your router to automatically connect every device in one go. NordVPN also offers the best security in the VPN space. Your data, location, and identity are protected by an impenetrable wall of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protections, automatic kill-switches, and much more. Meanwhile, NordVPN’s exclusive NordLynx VPN protocol ensures none of this added security slows down your connection. You probably won't notice a change. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. Surfshark is a great option for watching NFL games on a budget. It offers unlimited devices, a variety of privacy tools, and fast, reliable connections for a low price. Surfshark is our top budget VPN to stream out-of-market NFL games for many reasons. First, It is fast enough to stream NFL games in HD from almost anywhere. Every member of our testing team, located in different countries, could watch their favorite team play buffer-free. Second, Surfshark comes full of advanced privacy tools missing from many more expensive competitors. You get built-in malware and spam detection, an ad blocker, dark web monitoring, an IP address rotator, and more. Its stealth mode has some of the best obfuscation software available. These tools go way beyond getting you access to out-of-market NFL games. They keep you safe from tracking, viruses, spyware, and every other online threat and annoyance. Finally, Surfshark stands out with its unlimited device connections, perfect for the whole family to enjoy NFL games on their devices hassle-free. New Surfshark users have a free 30-day money-back guarantee period on every plan. CyberGhost stands out as both the fastest and most user-friendly VPN on the list, making it an ideal choice for avid NFL viewers. CyberGhost stands as the current market leader in VPN speed, boasting an average of 548 Mbps throughout our tests. This impressive velocity ensures smooth streaming for NFL games in 4K and HD, with no buffering concerns. Spanning over 9,600 servers across 90+ countries (excluding Antarctica), CyberGhost guarantees access to various NFL game sources. It accommodates major operating systems, including Linux, and provides extensions for Chrome and Firefox, along with apps for smart TVs and gaming consoles, catering directly to NFL viewers. CyberGhost prioritizes security and privacy with a strict no-logs policy and incorporates features like automatic kill-switches and 265-bit AES encryption. However, note that it doesn't offer obfuscation, which may trigger detection by NFL streaming services and lead to blocked connections. Despite these considerations, CyberGhost's user-friendly interfaces and unparalleled speeds make it an excellent choice for altering your online location to catch every NFL game. To top it off, a generous 45-day money-back guarantee allows you to try it out risk-free. IPVanish is a reliable VPN with easy-to-use apps across unlimited devices, fast speeds, tight airtight security, and complete privacy. IPVanish has been in the VPN game since 2012. Even though some of its features have become outdated, it continues to deliver strong security, privacy, and streaming performance. It has over 2,000 servers in 75+ locations worldwide – including many in the US – that can play videos at 4K without buffering. You get better speeds when connected to servers near your location, but even far-away servers deliver reliable, fast connections. You can install IPVanish on your router, but if you don’t have the time or expertise for that – don’t worry. You can connect to unlimited devices, allowing personalized access to out-of-market NFL games on every device in your household. IPVanish is based in the US, which is usually terrible for data privacy – the US is a founding member of the secretive Five Eyes surveillance alliance. However, its strict and transparent privacy policies ensure none of your data is recorded or stored. IPVanish couldn’t share any even if it wanted to – it wipes its servers the moment you end a VPN session. Every IPVanish plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. 1. ExpressVPN
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3 ways to watch out-of-market NFL games with a VPN
Now you know about how the best VPNs for NFL work, let’s look at the streaming platforms hosting NFL games.
Depending on where you’re located across the globe, you have four simple, low-cost options.
1. NFL Sunday Ticket
You can also purchase an NFL Sunday Ticket to watch out-of-market games.
Sunday Ticket is an out-of-market sports package for US residents that hosts every Sunday NFL game broadcast by Fox and CBS. From 2024, Sunday Ticket plans are available via YouTube TV add-ons. The various add-ons cost:
- $349/year for a standalone Sunday Ticket subscription
- $389/year for a standalone Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone subscription
- $249/year for an NFF Sunday Ticket add-on if you’re already subscribed to YouTube TV
- $289/year for an NFF Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone add-on if you’re already subscribed to YouTube TV
This is an expensive option.
Also, it's only available to YouTube TV subscribers in the US. If you live outside the US or you’re traveling outside the country during the NFL season, you’ll need a VPN that works with YouTube TV and has plenty of US servers. We recommend ExpressVPN.
2. NFL+
NFL+ is a US-only, browser-based subscription for NFL fans who want access to games, documentaries, merch, and more.
It costs from $6.99 per month and includes live streams of every NFL game – including the Super Bowl. If you subscribe to NFL+ Premium, you also get access to recordings of any games you missed.
NFL+ is much cheaper than NFL Sunday Ticket. However, it only works on web browsers (i.e., your laptop or phone). So, if you want to use NFL+ on a big-screen TV, you’ll need to hook up your laptop or phone with a cable.
Also, NFL+ is only available in the US. So, once again, you’ll need a VPN. ExpressVPN is still a great option. But NordVPN and Surfshark will work, too.
3. NFL RedZone
NFL RedZone is an add-on available for pre-existing streaming and cable packages.
It doesn’t feature individual live games in full, but offers a "simulcast” of every game being played on a particular day. So, if you want to keep up with the action, you can jump between any game currently on air.
You can get RedZone on the following TV streaming services:
- Fubo TV: $74.99/month + $10.99/month for the Sports Plus with NFL RedZone add-on
- Hulu with Live TV: $69.99/month with ads (includes Disney+ with ads and ESPN+ with ads) + $9.99 Sports Add-on.
- Sling TV: $45/month (Blue) + $11/month Sports Extra
- YouTube TV: $64.99/month for the first three months ($72.99/month thereafter) + $10.99/month Sports Plus
Every streaming site listed above is only available in the US. You’ll need a VPN with US servers to access them. Once again, we recommend ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
You can also check your cable provider to see if it offers NFL Redzone.
Can I use a free VPN with out-of-market NFL games?
Almost no free VPNs will work for live streaming the NFL or watching game recordings.
Free VPNs have tiny server networks that are too slow for any kind of streaming and easily caught by the streaming sites hosting the NFL’s games. Even if you find a VPN with a large server network, it might still throttle your connection (thinking you’ll upgrade to a paid plan).
However, there are also serious safety concerns when using a free VPN.
Because free VPNs don’t charge a subscription fee, they use much less honest methods to profit from users. We’ve witnessed free VPNs:
- Harvesting your data and selling it to advertisers, data brokers, and hackers.
- Inserting ads onto your browser. Sometimes the ads are for the VPN’s paid plans and other times they’re for completely random products you’ll never buy.
- Hosting hackers and tracking software on their servers for a fee.
Plenty of excellent cheap VPNs can stream NFL games without compromising your safety or delivering a terrible experience. Use them instead of a free VPN and save yourself a lot of headaches.
Methodology: How we test the best VPNs for out-of-market NFL games
We put every VPN we recommend through a series of rigorous tests to confirm they live up to their sales pitches. We check every feature and tool, read all the privacy policies and fine print, and grill their customer support with questions and concerns.
When using a VPN to watch the NFL, we had to look at several factors, including:
- Large US server network: Because NFL content is mostly hosted in the US, your VPN needs servers in the country. We also included VPNs with global networks, too.
- Fast connection speeds: To live stream the NFL, especially in HD, you need a VPN that delivers fast, stable connections anywhere in the world.
- Access to content: The best VPNs work with every streaming site, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and those hosting NFL games.
- Excellent security: Look for VPNs with 265-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, automatic kill-switches, and other advanced cybersecurity features.
- Extra privacy tools: Our favorite VPNs offer built-in ad blockers, anti-tracking tools, malware detection, and much more to keep you completely hidden online.
- Easy-to-use apps: We’ve only included VPNs with simple, beginner-friendly apps for every major device (PCs, laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, and more).
- Good value: The most powerful VPNs are also usually the best value: affordable plans, money-back guarantees, and helpful customer support.
Read our complete VPN review process to see the full list of criteria. It can guide you when choosing a VPN for watching the NFL and anything else.
Out-of-market NFL games FAQs
Conclusion
VPNs provide the easiest and most secure access to out-of-market NFL games. However, it's important to keep in mind that the NFL actively tries to block VPN servers, and using a VPN might go against their rules.
Let’s recap the benefits of our top VPNs: not only can you watch NFL games, but you'll also enjoy better online security, privacy features, and tools to block ads and tracking.
You can try these VPNs risk-free with their trial periods or money-back guarantees. Once you find the right fit, you'll have smooth access to your favorite NFL content no matter where you are.