Last updated Oct 25, 2024 at 10am ET
ESPN and its paid service ESPN+, are well-known streaming services where you can watch all your favorite sports games. With ESPN+, you can stream live sports matches and witness amazing moments from baseball, soccer, golf, MMA, and many other games. Even though it is widely used, many encounter an ESPN+ blackout, which will prevent you from enjoying your preferred sports.
The blackout on ESPN+ usually happens due to broadcasting rights that restrict local and even national sports streaming in specific regions. The frequency of these ESPN+ blackouts depends on the league you are trying to stream and your physical location. ESPN+ can determine your physical location as it monitors users’ IP addresses. However, I have a solution on how to watch blackout games on ESPN+ and it’s by simply using a reliable VPN provider.
A reliable VPN with US servers can easily solve ESPN blackout issues. It will change your IP address, and you will appear in a different region online. Using a streaming-oriented VPN will not only solve blackout issues, but you will also be able to access different regions of other popular streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. Here, I will recommend the best VPNs for streaming ESPN+ and explain how to get around ESPN blackout issues. Read more and learn how to watch blackout games on ESPN+ with a VPN.
How to get around ESPN blackout using VPN
- Subscribe to a VPN with speedy US servers. I recommend NordVPN, now 74% off!
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a US server in a state where the ESPN+ stream is available.
- Visit the ESPN+ website and enjoy the matches!
Best VPN to get around ESPN blackout in 2024
- Best VPN to bypass ESPN blackout9.6
- Reliable VPN for getting around ESPN blackout9.3
- The most frugal way to bypass ESPN+ blackout9.2
Since 2018, VPNpro has delivered unbiased, expert-backed insights through in-house research and thorough VPN testing. Our team ensures every review is fact-checked and reliable. Learn how we maintain these high standards in our testing methods.
Why does ESPN blackout games?
ESPN and ESPN+ often blackout games due to broadcasting rights and agreements with sports leagues and broadcasters. In the US, sports translations are divided into local and national streams and ESPN+ handles the majority of national sports matches. Many of these games are not available on other streaming platforms. On the other hand, local games are often blacked out on ESPN+ due to the previously mentioned broadcasting agreements and the need to protect local cable TV providers’ interests. These providers strive to keep their viewer base by exclusively airing local games, while national games are streamed online to reach a wider audience. Even though ESPN and ESPN+ often blackout their games depending on your physical location, there is a solution that can help to bypass this. Using a reliable VPN provider can help to bypass ESPN+ blackouts by masking your IP address and changing your location.
NordVPN is the best choice to get access to blacked out games on ESPN+. With top-notch performance and robust restriction bypassing methods, you’ll be watching the matches live online in crisp 4K UHD quality.
Best VPNs to bypass ESPN blackout
- NordVPN – the ultimate VPN for ESPN+ in 2024
- Surfshark – reliable VPN to get around ESPN+ blackout
- PrivateVPN – the budget way to bypass the blackout on ESPN+
I tested 30 different providers by checking their geo-restriction unlocking capabilities, speed, and pricing and found three top sports streaming VPNs. NordVPN appears to be the best option due to having many US servers and blazing-fast speed. Surfshark is also a great option as it provides speedy US servers and a Smart DNS feature for streaming, while PrivateVPN is an affordable yet reliable streaming VPN with the fast WireGuard protocol. Let’s take a closer look at the three top ESPN+ VPNs and their benefits.
1. NordVPN – the best VPN to unblock ESPN+ blackout games
111
6400
24/7 live chat, Email
- Large US server selection
- SmartPlay for bypassing geo-blocks
- Fastest speeds for smoothest streaming
- Only 10 simultaneous connections
The best way to get around the ESPN blackout is NordVPN. The service offers over 2000 servers across 16 US cities, netting you instant access to blacked-out ESPN+ games. During testing, I had no issue streaming various sports games live, from the Bruins and Dodgers to the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and more.
Thanks to the NordLynx protocol, my connection speeds were excellent, retaining up to 90% of the initial speed. It led to a lag-free 4K UHD viewing experience on ESPN. The unique SmartPlay feature was also handy, helping us bypass geo-blocks on devices that don’t support VPN software natively, like Roku. And if you need extra assurance, you can use obfuscated servers to hide any VPN usage tracks for easier blackout bypassing.
NordVPN has applications for desktop, mobile, and streaming peripherals, such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. You can even install it on a router as NordVPN provides 10 simultaneous connections.
Currently, you can get this reliable ESPN VPN for 74% off, if you don’t miss out the the latest NordVPN deals. You can also try it out with a 7-day free trial and continue risk-free backed up with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – ESPN VPN with great geo-block bypassing capabilities
100
3200
24/7 live chat, FAQ
- Over 600 servers in the US
- Smart DNS for content unblocking
- Blazing fast due to WireGuard
- Some features cost extra
Surfshark is another dependable VPN to easily bypass ESPN blackout on your streaming device. With around 600 speedy servers in 25 US cities alone, it effectively lets you unblock many restricted sports matches without a fuss. This provider is also suitable for those who want buffer-free live streaming, as it retained around 85% of the original connection speed when I tested it.
Another useful thing that Surfshark offers for streaming enthusiasts is Smart DNS. With it, you can bypass ESPN+ local blackouts on any device. I also liked the Camouflage and NoBorders modes. These mask VPN traffic as regular traffic, helping bypass VPN blocks – handy since ESPN+ does block VPNs.
You can bypass ESPN blackouts on an unlimited number of devices with just one Surfshark account. And like with all top streaming VPNs, this one works on PC, mobile, routers, and streaming gadgets.
Subscriptions start with a generous 87% discount, provided you take advantage of current Surfshark promo codes. If you don’t want to dive head first, just test the waters with a free 7-day trial through any mobile app store and continue anywhere. And remeber, all Surfshark plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. PrivateVPN – the most affordable ESPN+ streaming VPN
63
200
24/7 live chat
- Servers across 12 US cities
- Stealth VPN feature
- Stable OpenVPN protocol
- Unaudited no-logs policy
PrivateVPN is one of the cheapest ways to get around the ESPN blackout. Packing 200+ servers in over 63 countries, it offers connection points in 12 US cities, which are more than enough to access blacked-out games. Also, this service includes cutting-edge WireGuard connections for Windows with reliable and stable OpenVPN tunneling protocol for everyone else, fully capable of HD streaming.
One ace up PrivateVPN’s sleeve is the Stealth VPN feature. It’s especially great at circumventing content restrictions, including a surprise ESPN blackout, at a tiny cost in your connection speed. But while there are apps for all major OS, including Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers, this service doesn’t offer browser extensions. On the other hand, it makes up for it by offering 10 simultaneous connections for seamless VPN sharing.
PrivateVPN is the best choice for those who wish to bypass ESPN+ blackout but on a tighter budget. Right now, you can save 85% on your first subscription if you don’t forget to check out the latest PrivateVPN discounts. Furthermore, the service has a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of room to test this service without losing any money.
For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.
Best VPNs to get around ESPN blackout comparison
| ESPN VPN Provider | Rating | Can bypass ESPN blackout? | US servers | Lowest price | Devices |
| NordVPN | 9.8⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅Yes | ✅Yes. 2000 servers in 16 cities | $2.99/month | Windows, Android, Linux, macOS, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Firestick, Roku, routers, browsers |
| Surfshark | 9.5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅Yes | ✅Yes. 600 servers in 25 cities | $1.99/month | Windows, Android, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Firestick, routers, browsers |
| PrivateVPN | 8.7⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅Yes | ✅Yes. Servers in 12 cities | $2.00/month | Windows, Android, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Firestick, routers |
How can a VPN help to get around ESPN blackout?
ESPN+ is a region-locked service that checks every visitor’s IP address before letting them in. At first, it weeds out everyone who doesn’t have a US IP. Then, it checks what State you are in and automatically curates your stream selection by blacking out any games happening in your location.
A VPN helps bypass ESPN blackout restrictions by letting users connect to another US State where the local game they want to watch isn’t blacked out. All you have to do is select a server in the US state that broadcasts the game nationwide. It’s also handy if you’re traveling outside the country and don’t want to miss any games broadcasted on ESPN+.
The rest is fairly easy if you’re armed with a capable VPN for bypassing sports blackouts. However, you have to keep in mind that the process of unblocking such content on ESPN is slightly different, depending on what device you want to use.
How to get around ESPN & ESPN+ live blackouts on desktop
You can bypass ESPN blackout using a secure VPN with fast streaming servers, like NordVPN. Connect to a server in the country where your desired sports event is broadcast, then visit the ESPN+ website to enjoy the live stream! Here’s a quick guide on using a VPN on your computer:
- Download an ESPN VPN compatible with Windows and macOS. Our top choice is NordVPN, with user-friendly applications for both systems.
- Install it on your PC and log into your account
- Clear all the cookies from your browser’s cache
- Connect to any US server that broadcasts the match nationwide
- Go to ESPN+ and watch any blacked out game you want in your area!
How to get around ESPN live blackouts on mobile
Things are a bit trickier for those who want to get around ESPN+ blackouts on phones. The platform forces mobile users to turn on GPS location tracking to further confirm their location. IP addresses differ from your GPS location, so VPN software cannot mask it.
In addition to a VPN, you also need a GPS spoofer app. But in order for it to work properly, you have to root your phone, which isn’t an option if you want to keep your phone’s warranty or are just not that tech-savvy.
But I found somewhat of a solution for that, too – Surfshark’s GPS spoofing feature. Given it’s available only for Android, it helped me bypass the ESPN blackout on mobiles that run on this OS. Here’s what you have to do:
- Get a robust mobile VPN, ideally with a GPS spoofing feature. Surfshark worked the best in my tests
- Download your VPN from Google Play or the Apple App Store
- Pick a safe GPS spoofer for your smartphone (Android users can take Surfshark for both features)
- Follow instructions of your spoofer app (may involve jailbreaking or rooting)
- Launch your VPN application
- Connect to a server in the US state that bradcasts ESPN+ games
- Open the ESPN+ app or website to enjoy unlimited sports!
Still, during testing we saw that you’re more likely to access local blacked out games on ESPN on devices that don’t have GPS modules. Namely, these are computers and streaming peripherals, such as smart TVs, Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, etc. But since these don’t support VPN software natively, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router first.
ESPN blackout map
Many different sports leagues like NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA experience blackouts due to broadcasting rights, so you’ll come across a blackout if you watch it on ESPN too. Here is an example of an ESPN blackout map for MLB:
Can I use a free VPN to get around ESPN blackout?
While I understand the temptation, I don’t recommend using free VPNs to get around blackouts on ESPN+. First and foremost, most costless providers lack US servers, so there’s not much choice where to connect to unblock games. You won’t be able to do much if the VPN only has a few servers in the New York area.
Another crucial aspect of free VPNs is that they throttle connection speeds and facilitate spotty connections. You might just end up missing crucial moments of the match because it either lagged or your VPN got disconnected. Not to mention the fact that such providers collect user data and sell it to third parties for profit.
My research has shown that you’ll have the best chance and experience at bypassing ESPN+ blackout by using premium VPNs. NordVPN had the most reliable track record, unblocking blacked out games every time. What’s more, you don’t actually have to pay for it right away. Combining the 7-day free trial with the 30-day money-back guarantee lets you use it scot-free for well over a month.
Conclusion
ESPN+ is one of the best streaming platforms to watch sports, like MLB, NFL, NHL, and many other leagues that are sometimes not available on other streaming platforms. However, viewers are not always able to enjoy their favorite games due to blackouts on ESPN+.
Fortunately, there is a solution on how to get around ESPN blackouts using a reliable streaming VPN. I tested many different VPN providers and concluded that NordVPN is the best option to bypass blackout restrictions on ESPN. NordVPN successfully bypassed blackouts and provided a high-quality streaming experience. Additionally, there were many speedy US servers to choose from and a SmartPlay feature that only enhanced the overall experience.
You may also like to read:
How to watch ESPN from anywhere
How to bypass NHL blackouts
How to watch out-of-market NFL games
How to watch NBA games online
How to bypass MLB blackouts
How to stream UFC games live
How to watch ESPN+ in Canada
FAQ
Why can’t I watch games on ESPN+?
ESPN+ blackout games due to broadcasting rights. When a sports league or team sells exclusive rights to a cable TV or streaming service like ESPN+, they enforce blackout rules to protect these deals. This means certain games or events are unavailable in specific regions to encourage viewership through authorized channels, preventing unauthorized streaming or viewing.
Why does ESPN+ blackout games?
ESPN+ blackout games when the platform lacks broadcasting rights for a sports event in your region. If you encounter blackout messaging, it means the specific match isn’t available on ESPN+ in your region. However, you can avoid it by using a robust VPN, like NordVPN, and changing your virtual location.
Why is ESPN blacked out in my area?
ESPN is blacking out games in your area because it doesn’t have the broadcasting rights to a specific sports league or match. ESPN+ detects your geographic location via your IP address, so if you see the message “This content is subject to blackout”, the event you’re requesting is not available in your area. So, be sure to check your local sports networks to find the television network carrying the event. If you don’t use cable, you can bypass these blackouts and stream any game with such reputable VPNs as NordVPN.
How to watch blackout games on ESPN+?
You can easily get around ESPN blackout by using a streaming-focused VPN, such as NordVPN. Just connect to a server in the US state that broadcasts your wanted sports match and simply head over to the ESPN+ website to watch it hassle-free.
Why can't I watch MLB on ESPN+?
If you can’t access a specific MLB game on ESPN+, a regional MLB blackout may be in place. Due to broadcasting rights, nearby games are only available on your local sports channels. To bypass MLB blackouts on ESPN, you have to use a VPN and change your location by connecting to a server in another state.
Which VPN is best for ESPN blackout?
NordVPN is the best VPN to get rid of ESPN blackout restrictions. It’s affordable, easy to use, and guarantees top-tier performance on all 2000+ servers across 16 US locations. Furthermore, it’s compatible with desktop, mobile, and dedicated streaming devices so you can enjoy unlimited ESPN anywhere.
Can ESPN+ detect and blacklist your VPN?
Yes, if ESPN+ detects multiple users with the same IP addresses associated with VPNs, it promptly blocks them. It’s also rumored that ESPN+ employs a VPN firewall to prevent encrypted traffic. However, best ESPN VPNs bypass it using obfuscation tools, disguising VPN connections as regular HTTPS traffic.
What does blackout mean on ESPN?
A blackout on ESPN means that you will not be able to see your preferred live games due to broadcasting rights and your physical location. If you experience a blackout, you will get the “This content is subject to blackout” message which will not allow you to watch some particular content. You can bypass blackout by changing your virtual location using a reliable VPN, like NordVPN.
