The Guinness Six Nations championship is an annual international rugby tournament between – you guessed it – six countries. To be precise, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. France won all their matches last year and earned the coveted Grand Slam title. Naturally, the remaining nations are eager to knock them down a peg in 2023.
However, fans worldwide will have difficulty tuning into the exciting competition due to geographical restrictions. Thankfully, that’s not a problem when you can change your location with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Then you can access any streaming service you’d like and watch Six Nations rugby anywhere.
Watch Six Nations Rugby 2023 live | |
Six Nations tournament dates | February 4th – March 18th |
Streaming services | BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Peacock |
Watch anywhere | NordVPN, now 69% OFF |
How to watch Six Nations anywhere with a VPN
- Sign up for a top-speed streaming VPN. Our preferred champion is NordVPN, available for 69% off
- Download the VPN app on your preferred rugby-viewing device
- Connect to a country where your desired streaming service is available. We recommend the UK to watch Six Nations through the BBC iPlayer
- Watch Six Nations Rugby no matter where you are!
Best VPN for streaming Six Nations: shortlist
- Best VPN for Six Nations Rugby9.7
- Well-performing Six Nations VPN with unlimited connections9.5
- Cheapest VPN for watching Six Nations9.0
Why do you need a VPN to watch Six Nations?
Many sporting event broadcasts are geographically restricted because of licensing requirements. Furthermore, you’ll be disappointed that your preferred streaming service no longer works when traveling abroad. For example, UK Six Nations fans can’t access BBC iPlayer while traveling and will need to sign up for a foreign streaming service, e.g., Sky Italia.
Unsurprisingly, this state of affairs is quite frustrating because no one is interested in sports commentary in a foreign language. Luckily, you can retain access to familiar content using one of the best VPN services. This software changes your location and IP address by redirecting your traffic through remote servers. Then you can connect to servers in your country and watch Six Nations as if you were back home.
However, the ability to alter your region is especially appealing to rugby fans without local access to a Six Nations broadcast. All they need is to sign up for a reliable BBC iPlayer VPN, connect to the UK, and watch Six Nations online regardless of location.
Finally, VPN services are a worthwhile investment because they’re excellent cybersecurity tools. For starters, they completely obfuscate your online activities from interlopers using top-of-the-line encryption. Plus, a feature-rich provider can block ads and other nuisances from ruining your online experience.
Best VPNs for watching Six Nations: overview
You need to pick your VPN provider carefully if you want the best results while unblocking Six Nations. After all, a top-notch VPN for streaming sports needs loads of features to ensure a pleasant experience. For example, you’ll need:
- Modern tunneling protocols to ensure peak connectivity
- A massive and diverse server fleet for effective content unblocking
- Easy-to-use apps for popular streaming devices
- 24/7 customer support for quick problem resolution
- A VPN kill switch to prevent data leaks
- Affordable subscription prices
And that’s not all if you want a genuinely well-rounded virtual private network. However, this guide is solely about watching Six Nations. Thus, we compiled a humble list of VPN services perfect for watching the rugby competition anywhere. Read on to learn more about them.
1. NordVPN – the ultimate VPN for watching Six Nations abroad
60
5800
24/7 live chat, Email
- Best speeds on the market
- Compatible with numerous devices
- Excellent security features
- Only 6 simultaneous connections
NordVPN is the top choice if you want the best experience while watching the Six Nations tournament. The service is packed with 5800+ servers across 60+ countries for unblocking loads of foreign content. Furthermore, it utilizes the one-of-a-kind NordLynx protocol for ludicrous connection speeds, allowing you to stream live sports in UHD quality.
Like so many other VPNs, NordVPN offers fully-featured apps for desktop and mobile devices. Additionally, home entertainment enthusiasts can easily set up the software on Android TV and Amazon Fire TV to watch sports on a big screen. Meanwhile, you can curb geo-blocking on devices without VPN software by configuring a router or taking advantage of Smart DNS.
One of the most appealing NordVPN features is the Threat Protection tool. It further enhances digital security and privacy by removing ads, trackers, and blocking malicious websites. Plus, Dark Web Monitor will immediately notify you if you’re a victim of data breaches.
Get all these and other perks for a measly investment of $2.99/month. Don’t forget to use a NordVPN coupon code to snag the latest deals. And remember about the 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with the results.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark VPN – effective and affordable Six Nations VPN
100
3200
24/7 live chat, FAQ
- Unlimited device connections
- Wide range of security features
- WireGuard-powered speeds
- Some features cost extra
Surfshark VPN is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a well-performing VPN to unblock Six Nations for everyone you know. One account supports unlimited device connections and guarantees blazing-fast speeds thanks to the famous WireGuard protocol.
This VPN unlocks the most diverse variety of exotic content with its expansive 3200+ server fleet across 100+ countries. The service works extremely well with popular streaming services like Netflix, Peacock, BBC iPlayer, and many more. Plus, you won’t have to worry about ads or malware because the CleanWeb feature will wipe them out.
You can install Surfshark on various sports-viewing vessels, such as computers, mobile phones, web browsers, and Android TV devices. Owners with obscure devices that lack dedicated apps can instead utilize router firmware or the Smart DNS workaround.
Subscriptions begin at $2.21/month but can increase if you opt for bonus cybersecurity perks. In any case, be sure to use a Surfshark coupon for massive discounts. And don’t worry about buyer’s remorse because each plan includes a 30-day money-back warranty.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. Atlas VPN – the most budget-friendly VPN for unblocking Six Nations
49
1000
Email, tickets, FAQ
- Excellent performance with WireGuard
- Limitless connections
- Has a solid free alternative
- No router firmware
Frugal Six Nations fans should look no further than Atlas VPN. It’s one of the cheapest and most effective VPNs for streaming sports and other geo-blocked video content. Unsurprisingly, the small price tag results in a few drawbacks but nothing too dramatic.
Firstly, the service boasts a network of 1000+ servers across 49+ countries. It includes specialized streaming options for top speeds and reliable geographical restriction removal. You can use these connection points to unlock bonus content on services like Netflix, Peacock, and BBC iPlayer.
Atlas VPN is very cost-effective because one subscriber can secure unlimited devices. The service is compatible with computers, mobile devices, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. However, it lacks router firmware, meaning you’ll have to resort to Wi-Fi hotspot creation to unblock content on other devices.
Invest a mere $1.64/month to snag all these benefits. Check out the available Atlas VPN discount codes to find alternative deals. Or start with the free plan, but don’t expect it to unlock Six Nations. Go premium instead and back out with the 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied.
For a deeper investigation of Atlas VPN, read our Atlas VPN review.
Six Nations broadcasters
Here’s a glimpse at the most noteworthy Six Nations broadcasters and in which countries they’re available. You can use the table below as a reference point for choosing a VPN server to unblock the championship.
Country | TV channels | Online streaming services |
United Kingdom | BBC Sport, ITV Sport, S4C | BBC iPlayer, ITVX |
United States | NBC Sports Network | Peacock |
Australia | N/A | Stan Sport |
France | France 2 | france.tv |
Ireland | BBC Sport, ITV Sport, Virgin Media, RTE, S4C | BBC iPlayer, ITVX, RTV, Virgin Media One |
Italy | Sky Italia, TV7 | sky.it |
Germany | More Than Sports | morethansports.tv |
Personally, I’d use a VPN with UK servers to unlock the freely-available BBC iPlayer. However, no one is stopping you from using a VPN to access Peacock and its impressive content library. The point is that virtual private network services can eliminate geographical restrictions and accommodate anyone’s preferences.
How to watch Six Nations in any country
Sports fans have a lot of regional and VPN-powered options for catching the Six Nations tournament. Below you’ll find detailed information about watching Rugby in the USA and Australia. Just remember that these principles are applicable in other regions, too.
How to watch the Six Nations in the USA
Americans can tune into the Six Nations tournament through the NBC Sports Network TV channel. Meanwhile, cord-cutters will have to sign up for the NBC-owned Peacock online streaming service. Additionally, you’ll need a VPN with US servers if you wish to retain access to the platform while traveling abroad.
On the other hand, you can technically watch Six Nations for free if you’re not interested in Peacock. This method involves taking advantage of a VPN service’s free trial or money-back guarantee. NordVPN, our #1 contented, offers both options. Best of all, the refund window lasts 30 days, which is almost perfect for watching the entire tournament. Here’s a summary of the process.
- Subscribe to a market-leading VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee, such as NordVPN
- Download the VPN app for your sports-streaming device. If unavailable, configure your home router with a VPN connection and connect your device to that network
- Pick any server in the United Kingdom. This will unblock the BBC iPlayer, which live streams Six Nations and is available for free to UK residents
- Open the BBC iPlayer and watch top rugby teams compete!
Unblock Six Nations with NordVPN
How to watch the Six Nations in Australia
Australian Rugby fans will have to sign up for the Stan Sport streaming service. It’s available exclusively online and isn’t available as a television channel. It offers a 7-day free trial if you’re unsure whether you need it. And don’t forget that you’ll also require a VPN for Australia to watch the service elsewhere. Or you can use the same VPN to connect to the UK and watch Six Nations on the BBC iPlayer
VPN not unblocking Six Nations: potential fixes
You may encounter trouble while unblocking a Six Nations live stream with a VPN. But no need to worry because there are loads of potential fixes to this issue.
- Check for IP leaks. Use a third-party leak checker like dnsleaktest.com to ensure your VPN tunnel is completely air-tight.
- Switch to another server. It’s fair to assume that the server’s IP address is blocklisted in the absence of DNS leaks. Luckily, it’s easy to get a new one by connecting to another server.
- Enable a different tunneling protocol. Some streaming services may block certain web traffic entirely to minimize the impact of VPN software. Once again, switching to another option is your best play in this scenario.
- Update your software. Give your VPN a fighting chance by keeping it up to date.
- Use Incognito mode. Leftover information from previous browsing sessions can reduce your chances of removing geo-limitations. Therefore, you should use a clean slate when trying to unblock foreign content.
- Contact customer support. You can always reach out to customer service specialists when facing a dead end.
- Switch VPN providers. Don’t dismiss the possibility that your current provider simply can’t unblock Six Nations live streams. Luckily, you can try out other service providers without commitment, thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantees.
Can you watch Six Nations Rugby with a free VPN?
You’re probably wondering if it’s possible to watch Six Nations free of charge. After all, there’s no shortage of options regarding free VPN services. Sadly, finding a suitable no-cost VPN for Six Nations is as difficult as finding a four-leaf clover. Here are a few reasons why.
- Minuscule server options. A high-quality VPN for streaming requires thousands of servers to avoid IP banning and effectively unblock geo-restricted content. Meanwhile, free VPNs provide a tiny server fleet in several countries.
- Slow connection speeds. You’ll have to contend with slow connectivity because freemium VPNs severely throttle unpaying users.
- Unreliable security features. Hiding your IP address and location is essential to unblocking geo-restricted content. Unfortunately, free VPNs have inadequate DNS leak protection and, thus, are terrible at keeping you anonymous.
- No apps for streaming devices. You won’t find a free VPN that offers router configuration or apps for streaming devices like Android TV.
- Potential data logging. The most heinous free services collect user data and sell it to make ends meet. At the very least, you’ll constantly be bombarded with ads.
Consider VPNs with free trials if you’re completely broke. They’re much more reliable and effective at unblocking various sporting events. Plus, you can alternate between a few different providers to watch the Six Nations Championship in its entirety. I recommend starting with NordVPN, the #1 VPN for unblocking rugby.
Six Nations 2023 matches
The Six Nations rugby tournament officially begins on February 4th. The first round will pit Wales against Ireland at 14:15 UK time. After that, we’ll see England vs Scotland at 16:45, while the following day is reserved for Italy vs France at 15:00.
Six Nations tournament Round 1 schedule | ||
Date | Time | Teams |
February 4th | 14:15 UKT | Wales vs Ireland |
February 4th | 16:45 UKT | England vs Scotland |
February 5th | 15:00 UKT | Italy vs France |
Round 2 kicks off a week later on February 11th. This weekly schedule will continue until round 5 on March 18th. You can stay up to date with the results on the official Six Nations tournament website.
Conclusion
Many TV channels and streaming services will cover the Six Nations rugby tournament. However, there’s still a large fanbase that cannot tune in because of geographical restrictions.
Thankfully, rugby fans worldwide can utilize the top VPNs for Six Nations to watch the exciting competition anywhere. Plus, it’s worth investing in a virtual private network because it improves your online security and privacy.
Which Six Nations team are you rooting for this year? And do you need a VPN to watch the tournament? Share your thoughts below!
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FAQ
What’s the best VPN for unblocking the Six Nations live stream?
NordVPN Teams is the ultimate tool for unblocking Six Nations competitions. It boasts over 5800 servers across 60+ countries for accessing your preferred streaming service. Additionally, it guarantees top connection speeds with the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol. You can give it a shot using the 7-day free trial and follow up 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to watch Six Nations Rugby online?
First, you’ll need a reliable sports-streaming VPN if you’re in a country without access to Six Nations. We recommend NordVPN because it’s wicked-fast and effective at removing geographical restrictions. Then you’ll need to sign up and download the VPN app on your device. After that, connect to a server in the UK, launch the BBC iPlayer, and enjoy Six Nations Rugby anywhere.
How to watch 6 Nations in the USA?
You can watch 6 Nations rugby in the USA through NBC Sports Network. Cord-cutters can opt for the online streaming service Peacock. Alternatively, you can use a VPN to change your location to the UK and watch the tournament on the BBC iPlayer without a subscription. Plus, you can do that for free using a free trial or money-back guarantee.
Can I unblock Six Nations rugby with a free VPN?
No, you won’t find an effective free VPN for Six Nations. Firstly, most don’t have any servers in the UK, the only place that will broadcast the championship free of charge. Furthermore, free VPNs are extremely slow, meaning you’ll have to deal with lengthy loading times and laggy video.
Who is showing 6 Nations rugby in the USA?
The only 6 Nations broadcaster in the USA is NBC Sports Network. You must sign up for the Peacock online streaming service if you don’t use cable. On the other hand, you can purchase a VPN, connect to the UK, and watch Six Nations without a subscription on BBC iPlayer. Many providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can watch the entire tournament for free.
Oh-oh! This is article is damn on time. I have almost put up with the idea of no being able to watch it. Thank a lot! Go England!