How to watch blackout sports games with a VPN in 2026

Short summary: Sports fans face blackout restrictions that block local streams. A quality VPN solves this by changing your virtual location so you can watch any game live. NordVPN is the best choice in 2026, offering fast, secure, and reliable streaming for every major league.

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Major sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB impose blackout restrictions that block local broadcasts and streaming due to licensing deals. As a result, many fans face frustrating blackout notices instead of live action, unless they attend the game in person. Fortunately, you can easily bypass sports blackouts in 2026 with a reliable VPN.

A sports VPN masks your real IP and connects you to a server in a region without geo-restrictions, allowing you to stream every match live from home. However, only a handful of VPNs are powerful enough to overcome blackout barriers.

After weeks of hands-on testing, NordVPN proved to be the best VPN for watching blackout sports games, offering thousands of fast servers and smooth HD streaming. For those on a budget, Surfshark is a strong, affordable option, while Proton VPN provides a freemium plan to get started without paying.

Top 3 VPNs to watch blackout games in 2026

1. NordVPN

   Best VPN to get around sports blackouts on every platform
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   Fastest VPN to watch blacked-out games on every device
   9.5
3. Proton VPN

   Secure VPN to get rid of blackout restrictions while traveling
   8.6

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: NordVPN is the best VPN for bypassing sports blackouts, offering 3-day free trial via the Google Play Store. You can test it risk-free and extend the trial with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why do sports blackouts happen?

Due to complex broadcasting rights and agreements, only certain services are allowed to screen specific sports events. Blackout restrictions may apply to you if you’re located in a region where the match is restricted. Such blackouts are mainly imposed to prioritize the local market, more specifically, to sell more tickets to specific events. Otherwise, the rights are given to local cable broadcasters to carry the regional sports news and games.

One effective solution to bypass sports blackouts is the use of a reliable VPN. It’s a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and a remote server. A VPN for sports blackouts allows you to connect to a server located in a different region or country. This way, your IP address is changed, and you can access all live and on-demand games.

Moreover, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) may throttle your bandwidth during sports streaming because it can see your online activities. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic, making it much harder for your ISP or other third parties to track your online activity. This can also help bypass ISP throttling, which may increase streaming quality and speeds.

On top of it all, a VPN allows you to travel anywhere digitally, granting access to exclusive content previously restricted by geo-blocks. After the sports season or your favorite games end, you can explore movies or TV shows or even find cheaper airline tickets using a robust sports streaming VPN.

Best VPNs to get around blackout restrictions: detailed reviews

1. NordVPN – overall best VPN to watch blackout games in 2026
2. Surfshark – fast VPN to avoid blackout restrictions on any streaming platform
3. Proton VPN – privacy-first VPN to get around sports blackouts while traveling

Based on my research and in-house tests, NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN stand out as the best options for bypassing sports blackouts in 2026. These top providers offer multiple US servers across the country, which ensures that you’ll be able to bypass geo-restrictions. Due to their fast speeds, you should be able to watch games in HD without any delays. Additionally, due to their robust security toolkit, you’ll be protected online while enjoying sports matches anonymously. Continue reading for detailed overviews of the top VPNs to avoid blackouts in 2026.

Top 1. NordVPN – the best VPN to watch all games without blackouts

NordVPN is the overall best VPN to get rid of blackout restrictions due to its extensive server network, high speed, and excellent unblocking capabilities.

NordVPN has 9,300+ servers in 137 countries, with 3,300+ located only in the US. This makes it ideal for bypassing blackout restrictions. Every server I connected to facilitated UHD 4K streaming quality thanks to the NordLynx tunneling protocol. I enjoyed watching NHL and MLB matches while connected to the NordVPN server in Los Angeles. Plus, NordVPN retained 93% of its original speed on average in my tests.

That said, during testing, the provider exhibited world-class prowess in unblocking leading streaming services, such as ESPN+, MLB.tv, and NHL.tv, among others. Besides PCs and mobile devices, you can watch games on smart TVs, like Amazon Fire TV Stick. Though NordVPN only permits 10 simultaneous connections per subscription, you can set it on a router for full household coverage.

NordVPN has a solid privacy and security package. It utilizes AES-256 encryption to keep your browsing secure, two kill switches in case your connection drops, and IP & DNS leak protection to retain your anonymity. Additionally, it offers Dark Web monitoring, Threat Protection, and Meshnet.

NordVPN is the top-performing VPN to bypass sports blackouts at $3.09/month, backed by a 3-day free trial and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind. Don’t forget to take advantage of NordVPN coupons to secure your best deal.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

Top 2. Surfshark – affordable VPN to get around regional blackouts in the USA

Surfshark is an excellent choice for bypassing regional blackouts in the USA and beyond. Its user-friendly interface, stellar performance, and server coverage distinguish it from other VPN service providers.

Surfshark houses a great global distribution with 4,500+ servers scattered across 100+ countries. US-only streaming platforms weren’t a problem for me, thanks to 600+ US servers. Also, I didn’t experience any significant drops in speed with the next-gen WireGuard protocol. During my tests, Surfshark retained 93% download and 64% upload speed on average.

No matter what streaming website I set Surfshark to, it unblocked them all. YouTube TV, DAZN, ESPN+, and NFL+, like other major sports-viewing platforms, were accessible instantly through US servers. In terms of device compatibility, it works perfectly with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Meanwhile, SmartDNS and router support allowed me to watch games on my smart TV. This is quite handy, considering unlimited simultaneous connections.

Surfshark is also a very secure VPN service provider. It offers AES-256 encryption, a reliable kill switch, DNS & IP leak protection, and other privacy features. Surfshark claims to follow a no-logs policy and has other useful extras, such as Ad blocker, CleanWeb, and Camouflage mode.

Surfshark is an affordable premium VPN to watch blackout games at just $1.99/month, and you can test it risk-free with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. I advise checking Surfshark discount coupons for the best deals.

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

Top 3. Proton VPN – freemium VPN to watch blackout games in your local area

Proton VPN is one of the best options to watch blackout games as it has over 3996 US servers that successfully bypass geo-restrictions. Due to the robust security toolkit, you’ll also stay protected while watching content online. The free version is a solid way to test the waters if you’re new to VPNs. However, the premium version is worth every penny.

With 20,075+ servers in more than 145 countries, including 3996+ servers in the US, Proton VPN has you covered every time. Combined with the WireGuard tunneling protocol, the connection remained stable, and speeds were fast even as I switched between servers, so I was able to watch blackout sports without any lag or interruptions. Plus, Proton VPN retained 85% of download and upload speeds on average.

Thanks to its proprietary Stealth protocol, Proton VPN is great at unblocking censored content and bypassing blackouts. I had no issues working around all the major sports streaming platforms’ blackouts, such as ESPN+, NFL+, or Fubo TV. Currently, it allows 10 simultaneous connections and is compatible with all the major apps and software (Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux). The service worked perfectly with all my devices, so I was able to enjoy sports on my phone, computer, or even TV.

Your browsing will remain safe because Proton VPN uses military-grade AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection. It’s also one of a few VPNs that use the Tor over VPN feature for that extra layer of security. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, so it closely follows the no-logs policy as well.

Proton VPN is a secure VPN to bypass sports blackouts, starting at $2.99/month and backed by a 7-day free trial, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free. Proton VPN also offers a reliable free plan, although it is limited to 10 countries and is short on some features. I recommend checking out Proton VPN coupons for the best deals.

For a deeper investigation of Proton VPN, read our Proton VPN review.

Comparison of the best VPNs for bypassing regional blackouts

How to avoid blackout restrictions with a VPN: detailed guide

The only way to successfully avoid blackout restrictions on your favorite sports matches is by using a reliable streaming VPN. By connecting to a VPN server in a US city where the sports match is available, streaming services will identify as physically being in that location. This way, you will bypass blackout restrictions that are imposed in your region. Using a VPN to bypass sports blackouts is fairly easy, as it only requires a few simple steps.

Step 1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN service

To successfully change your virtual location and get access to blackout games, choose and purchase a VPN subscription. There are many VPN providers, but not all of them are capable of bypassing geo-restrictions. I recommend trying NordVPN, now 76% off, which has worked excellently for bypassing blackouts.

Step 2. Download and install the VPN app on your device

Once you have a VPN subscription, download and install it on your preferred device. The installation process may differ depending on the device that you’re using. However, you should find detailed instructions on how to install the VPN app on your VPN provider’s official website. Additionally, the majority of VPNs allow a limited number of simultaneous connections, so if you want to watch sports matches on a larger number of devices, I recommend setting the VPN up on a router.

Step 3. Connecting to a VPN server outside the blackout area

To watch your favorite NHL or NBA sports matches, you need to connect to a VPN server outside the region where your team plays, like Chicago or Dallas for a New Jersey Devils game. If you want to cheer on the Los Angeles Kings, connect to a server in New York or Seattle. For NBA fans, if a Lakers game is blacked out in Los Angeles, connect to a VPN server in Chicago or Denver instead. You can stream these teams' games on ESPN+, TNT, or Max.

Step 4. Go to the streaming service and enjoy the game without blackouts!

There are various streaming services that broadcast sports events, such as DAZN, ESPN+, or Max, depending on the game that you’re trying to watch. If you’re connected to a US VPN server and still unable to bypass blackouts, there are a few things that you can try. First, try switching between a few different servers, as this usually helps to solve the issue quickly. Additionally, it’s important to make sure your VPN connection is successful by checking your IP and DNS leaks.

Watch sports from anywhere with NordVPN

Can I use a free VPN to get around blackout restrictions?

Instead of risking and using a free VPN to bypass sports games blackouts, it’s much safer and more effective to use NordVPN’s free trial or Surfshark’s free trial, plus their 30-day money-back guarantees instead. I don’t recommend completely free VPNs because they often have slow speeds, limited servers, and unreliable connections. Worse, many of them bombard you with ads or even sell your personal data.

Other ways to watch blackout games in 2026

If you’re still unsure about using a VPN to catch up with all your favorite teams' games, there are some other ways how to watch blackout games.

• Local channels and broadcasters. Since many blackouts are designed to protect local broadcasters, by subscribing to cable or satellite service, you most likely will be able to watch local sports games.
• Attending the game. Buying a ticket and attending the game in person is another way to enjoy it since blackout restrictions only apply to broadcasts and streams.
• Local sports bars and restaurants. Since many sports bars have agreements with local providers to stream the games, this can be one of the more social ways to watch your favorite team play.
• Delayed viewing. If you don’t mind waiting, some games are shown later after they finish.

Which sports events are affected by blackout restrictions?

Blackout restrictions mainly affect live broadcasts and sporting events. They are imposed to protect ticket sales, local broadcaster rights, and any other agreements. Below, I provide some information on how these restrictions affect major sporting events.

NFL

The National Football League falls into the local market priority phenomenon, which means that you can only watch live the teams that are popular in your state. Due to the broadcasting contracts, streaming services prioritize screening more local content in specific regions.

But what about out-of-market NFL matches? Here are some ways to enjoy those games as well:

• Sunday Ticket serves as your gateway to a plethora of Sunday Day Games that aren't on your local screens. This offer, powered exclusively by YouTube TV, ensures that you don't miss a single match of non-local showdowns.
• Monday Night Football, a primetime spectacle hosted by ESPN, may be a staple on your sports calendar. But if your local team isn't in the spotlight, don't worry – a subscription-based service like Sling TV could grant you access to the action.
• Thursday Night Football. Amazon Prime can make your Thursdays synonymous with excitement on the turf. If your local team isn't part of the lineup of the TNF, Prime will make sure you don't miss a thing.

MLB

When it comes to watching MLB, blackout rules add an intriguing twist to the game day. Unlike the NFL, MLB’s blackout rules cast a shadow over local teams’ broadcasts. If you’re in the team’s home region, you won’t be able to stream the match via MLB to avoid competing with local TV channels.

But that's not all – some teams are extending their blackouts to neighboring states, and yes, even fans in Canada aren't exempt from the blackouts.

• Broadcasting rights play an important role, weaving another layer to the web of MLB intricacies. Sunday Night Games will run between 6 and 9 PM ET on ESPN since the platform holds the exclusive rights to deliver these electrifying matchups into your living room.
• Meanwhile, Fox will broadcast the Saturday Games between 8 PM and 10 PM ET, capturing the defining, pivotal moments that make the weekend unforgettable.

It gets even more interesting when I look at the priorities of the local stations. When a local station and the MLB network both seek to air the same game, the local station is the one to decide. Unless an exclusive national broadcast right has been granted elsewhere.

NHL

NHL blackout rules also have their dark side – the ominous blackout for local teams.

If a game is on the local TV or a regional sports network in your area, things get even more complicated because you won't be able to see in-market NHL games without a VPN.

Alternatively, you can try catching out-of-market NHL games on these sports streaming platforms:

• YouTube TV
• Sling TV
• TSN
• Sportsnet NOW Premium
• Fubo TV
• Star+

NBA

When it comes to the NBA matches, NBA League Pass is your ultimate ticket to the exciting world of the NBA. But here's the kicker: while you can enjoy league-wide action with the pass, the showdowns between your local teams won’t be available for you to tune in.

But hold your cheers because there's more. NBA games broadcast on national networks like ABC, ESPN, TNT, or NBA TV? They're great venues for NHL fans as they're often untouched by the shadows of local blackouts. It's a nationwide affair, a spectacle for fans from coast to coast.

Other Sports

• UFC. It provides access to a wide array of content on its UFC.tv platform, encompassing offerings such as the fight pass subscription and pay-per-view services. However, during significant and highly anticipated bouts, UFC opts to license the broadcast rights to domestic and international local broadcasters in countries like the USA and the UK, among others. However, you can enjoy Fight Night broadcasts along with exclusive access to the UFC PPV events with an ESPN+ subscription.
• CFL. For over-the-air signals, the CFL blackout restriction extends to 120 kilometers from the city where the game takes place or 56 kilometers from the host city's limits for cable signals. This also applies to games held in Saskatchewan within the province's boundaries. You can enjoy the games despite blackouts on the TSN Go apps if you have the appropriate subscription.

Streaming services affected by sports blackouts

Conclusion

Sports blackout restrictions often come from regional broadcasting rights, keeping fans from streaming live games in leagues like the NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB. Thankfully, using a VPN is the easiest way to bypass these sports blackouts and watch every match without interruptions. By hiding your real IP address and connecting through servers in unrestricted regions, a VPN lets you watch live streams anywhere.

After thorough testing and trial, NordVPN stands out as the best VPN for bypassing sports blackouts in 2026. With over 3,300 fast US servers and its advanced NordLynx protocol, it delivers smooth 4K streams and complete privacy every time you watch sports live.

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FAQ

Why do sports blackouts happen?

Sports blackouts happen when leagues or broadcasters limit where games can be shown. This occurs due to regional rights, exclusive deals, or ticket-sales strategies. As a result, local fans often can’t stream live matches, leaving them searching for ways to bypass blackout restrictions.

Can you use a VPN to get around sports blackouts?

Yes, you can use a VPN to get around sports blackouts. It changes your virtual location by masking your IP address, allowing you to access streams in regions where the game isn’t blocked. A premium VPN like NordVPN works for leagues like the NFL, MLB, NHL, and more. However, keep in mind that while VPNs are legal, their use on some streaming platforms can go against their Terms of Service.

How do you watch a game that is blacked out?

You can watch a blacked-out game by using a VPN. Simply open your VPN app, connect to a server in an unrestricted area, and refresh your streaming service. With a VPN like NordVPN, the site will think that you’re outside the blackout zone, letting you watch blackout sports games live without limits.

Is there a way to watch a blacked out game?

Yes, the easiest way to watch a blacked out game is with a VPN, like NordVPN. It hides your real IP address and lets you connect to a server in a region where the game isn’t restricted. This way, you can bypass sports blackouts and watch every match live from anywhere.

Does Peacock blackout games?

Yes, Peacock can blackout certain games due to regional broadcasting rights and league agreements. This more commonly happens with NFL and Premier League matches. To bypass Peacock blackouts, you can use a reliable VPN like NordVPN to connect through a region where the event is available.