5 Best VPNs for ESPN: Watch Live From Anywhere in 2023

ESPN streaming platforms (including ESPN+ and ESPN3) are only available to viewers in the US. You need a US IP address to live-stream sports events from anywhere and avoid regional blackouts.

A VPN can help you access your account and watch ESPN online. However, not all VPNs can get around the streaming services' strong VPN-blocking technology. And those that can often are too slow to watch fast-paced live events without buffering.

After testing 30+ VPNs, my top recommendation for watching ESPN anywhere is ExpressVPN. Its impressive speeds and servers in 24 US locations is ideal for streaming sports in UHD. It even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can test ExpressVPN risk-free. Claiming a full refund is straightforward if you're not 100% satisfied.

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The Best VPNs for ESPN (Updated 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Excellents Speeds for Watching ESPN+ Live in UHD

ExpressVPN is known for offering fast and reliable speeds. It uses advanced technologies like Lightway, its proprietary protocol designed with less code for more stable connections. Its large server network allows for better load balancing by reducing the likelihood of overcrowding, which can negatively impact speed and performance.

When I tested ExpressVPN, my average download speed remained above 110 Mbps against my 125.66 Mbps base connection. Considering UHD streaming requires only 25 Mbps, you can watch NFL, NBA, and MLS games live in crystal clear quality.

My speed dropped by only 11% connected to a US server

It regularly updates its IP addresses to ensure it works with the most popular streaming services like ESPN. Streaming services are constantly blocking IP addresses associated with VPNs, so by regularly updating its IP addresses, ExpressVPN can avoid detection by these services and continue to offer reliable access to your accounts.

By frequently updating its IP addresses, ExpressVPN also stays ahead of potential threats and maintains the highest level of security. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your online activities and ensures your data remains private and protected.

Apps are easy to use, and you can even stream ESPN on your smart TV or gaming console with MediaStreamer. This smart DNS feature allows you to bypass geo-restrictions on devices that don't natively support VPNs. It does this by changing the DNS settings on your device without routing all your internet traffic through a VPN server. I could live-stream the UFC match between Adesanya and Pereira on my PlayStation 5 in less than 5 minutes following ExpressVPN's online instructions.

The VPN is the most expensive one on my list, with prices starting at $6.67/month. Fortunately, huge discounts are regularly available to help you save. I got 49% off my 12-month subscription and three months of service free.

Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it out risk-free and get a full refund if it's not for you. Getting your money back is painless. I canceled and requested a refund using its 24/7 live chat support and received the money in my bank account after 3 days.

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2. CyberGhost — ESPN Streaming-Optimized Servers for Reliably Access

With CyberGhost's optimized servers for ESPN+, you won't experience issues accessing your account when traveling outside the US. The VPN team frequently tests and updates these servers to ensure that they can unblock the popular sports platform. Every time I tested the dedicated ESPN server, I could watch live sports almost instantly, like the NBA playoffs. There are also many servers throughout 11 US locations, so you have plenty of options to watch ESPN.

Expand the app, click "For streaming", and type "ESPN" into the search bar

You can expect excellent speeds from its network, especially when using the WireGuard protocol. While slightly slower than ExpressVPN's Lightway, you can enjoy HD ESPN streams uninterrupted in real time. So, you don’t have to wonder why your neighbors are cheering while your stream is lagging.

CyberGhost is straightforward to navigate, making it a great choice if you’re new to VPNs. It took me only 3 minutes to download and install it on my Windows PC. When you expand the app, the VPN displays a list of categories to quickly find the right server for your preferred online activity, including streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Clicking "All servers" provides an alphabetized list of countries where servers are available.

The one drawback is that short-term subscriptions cost a lot and have a short money-back guarantee period. However, its longer-term plans are a bargain at $2.19/month and depending on the active deals, you can save up to 83%.

Using its extended money-back guarantee, you can try CyberGhost free for 45 days. I tested the refund policy to make sure you'll get your money back. The 24/7 live chat agent just asked my reason for canceling before proceeding with my request. I got my money returned to my PayPal account within 5 days.

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3. Private Internet Access — Tons of US Servers to Watch ESPN From Anywhere

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers an impressive 53 server locations in the US — the largest US network of all the VPNs I tested. This means you don’t have to worry about ESPN’s regional blackouts; just switch to a US server location with access to the event you want to watch. Using its Chicago server, I could watch the NBA game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets from thousands of miles away.

Type "streaming" into the PIA search bar to find servers dedicated to fast streaming

Thanks to its next-gen network of fast servers combined with the speedy WireGuard protocol, you're ensured a seamless ESPN viewing experience in high quality anywhere in the world. During my tests, PIA's speeds were reduced by only 18% — from 127.24 Mbps to 104.1 Mbps. It only took 3 seconds to load a live boxing match on ESPN+, and I had no delays.

First-time VPN users might find the VPN intimidating with its many customization options. But, settings are pre-configured for streaming, so you can watch ESPN immediately. Simply find and connect to a US server, or use the US-optimized streaming server to start watching live sports.

There are three subscription options to choose from, 1 month, 6 months, and 2 years. However, you can save up to 83% with its long-term plan at $2.03/month. PIA also allows you to add anti-virus protection and get dedicated IPs for a small extra fee.

If you’re not ready to commit, you can try PIA risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. I tried its refund policy by making a claim via the support ticket. I received a response from the support team after 10 hours and got my refund paid to my credit card that same week.

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4. NordVPN — Easy-To-Use Apps to Stream ESPN Within Seconds of Installation

NordVPN’s user-friendly interface allows you to connect to a server in just a few clicks, an excellent choice for those less tech-savvy. You won’t have to search for settings or servers every time you install it on another device since the apps look and work similarly across all operating systems. The dashboard displays a world map with NordVPN's servers worldwide, allowing you to easily choose a US server and access ESPN. Just zoom in and click on a pin in the US to connect.

Speeds were great, too, thanks in part to its NordLynx protocol, built on the WireGuard protocol known for its lightweight design and efficiency for video streaming. My average download speed dropped to 109.88 Mbps during my tests (only a 13% loss), which is great given that I'm 4000+ miles from the US. I watched the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers live on ESPN in crystal clear quality on my Android smart TV.

To connect to a specific city, click the 3-dots next to the US on the sidebar

With its smart DNS feature, you can watch ESPN on your big screen. NordVPN's website provides step-by-step instructions to tweak your smart TV or console's network settings to access ESPN directly.

It sometimes took a while to connect to a specific US server. However, after force-stopping the app and trying again, it worked and I watched live sports without issues.

NordVPN’s plans are affordable starting at $3.49/month, and you have 3 tiers: the Standard, the Plus, and the Complete plan. The latter comes with the password manager and 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage, but it costs the most. All plans also include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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5. Surfshark — Multiple Simultaneous Connections to Watch ESPN on Your Favorite Devices

With Surfshark, you can watch live sports on ESPN on various devices at the same time. This is great for families who want to watch different matches simultaneously or if you want to switch devices while streaming without having to log in and out. To test this, I connected to the same US server using a MacBook Pro, a Windows tablet, and two iPhones. My connection never dropped, and my speed was reduced by only 18%.

You'll see the user load of each server to help you choose the least crowded one

You can quickly find the best US server for ESPN using the Search option. If you don’t have server preferences, use the Fastest location or the Quick connect button for the best speeds. You can also save servers as favorites, so you don’t need to look for them next time.

Throughout the day, there were specific instances where the long-distance servers experienced a decrease in speed, up to 30%. Despite this, the speed was still consistent and quick enough to facilitate live streaming in HD.

Surfshark's long-term plan is the most affordable at $2.30/month. However, if you only want to follow a specific sports league for a short duration while abroad, the short-term plans work just as well.

All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try Surfshark without risk. The refund process is straightforward. Simply fill out the web form canceling and asking for a refund; you'll need to provide a reason for canceling and wait for the support team to process your refund. I got mine after 6 days.

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Quick Comparison Table: ESPN VPN Features

Although all the VPNs featured on this list possess US servers that effectively bypass ESPN's restrictions, they do exhibit differences. Below, you can assess how they compare in terms of price, speeds, supported device connections, US server locations, and refund policies.

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Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for ESPN

Due to the platform’s VPN-blocking technology, not every VPN can access ESPN. Others are simply too slow to watch live sports without buffering. All the VPNs on my list can unblock your ESPN account anywhere and live stream sports in HD. However, if you want to do your own tests, make sure to look at the following features:

• Many US servers. To get past ESPN's regional blackouts, look for a VPN with servers in various US locations. The best providers routinely monitor their servers to ensure they can effectively access the most popular streaming services, like ESPN, Netflix, and Disney+.
• Fast speeds. While every VPN slows down your connection because of its encryption, the best ones will not reduce your speed by more than 20%. So, you can watch live sports in UHD without buffering.
• Easy to use. Look for a VPN with an intuitive design that makes finding and connecting to a US server straightforward. 24/7 live chat support is a big plus if you encounter any problems.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. A reliable refund policy allows you to try the VPN with ESPN and get your money back if it's ineffective.

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FAQs on VPNs for ESPN

Why do I need a VPN to watch ESPN live?

Due to licensing agreements, ESPN geo-blocks the most popular live sports channels outside the US. Sometimes, you can't even watch some games while in the US due to regional blackouts. In such cases, you need a US IP address registered to the region where the game you want is available. A VPN can help you bypass these restrictions and access your ESPN account.

A VPN sends your traffic through its US server network, which gives you a US IP address. This masks your real IP address with a virtual one registered in the country, allowing you to watch live sports on ESPN from anywhere.

Which VPN works best with ESPN and ESPN+?

ExpressVPN is the most reliable for watching ESPN and ESPN+ from anywhere. It has fast servers throughout the US that's ideal for watching live sport in UHD uninterrupted. It’s also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try it with confidence.

Is using a VPN to watch ESPN legal?

VPNs are legal in most countries, and ESPN’s terms of service do not explicitly prohibit their use. Therefore, as an ESPN customer, you can safely use a VPN to access your account. Simply launch the VPN, connect to a US server to get a US IP address and watch live sport on ESPN wherever you are.

Does ESPN block VPNs?

Yes. ESPN uses anti-VPN technologies to block VPNs from accessing its content. To access your account from anywhere, you need a high-quality VPN proven to unblock ESPN effectively. Such VPNs constantly update their technology to ensure they’re undetectable to popular streaming platforms like ESPN. So, you can always count on them to bypass the platform’s restrictions.

How can I avoid ESPN blackouts?

Use a premium VPN with servers in the US to access region-locked ESPN games while abroad and having trouble unblocking your account. Still, ESPN will block your access if it detects you using an IP address it knows is from a VPN. A premium VPN regularly updating its IP addresses is ideal for avoiding ESPN blackouts.

Where can I watch ESPN?

You can watch ESPN on the ESPN+ app or third-party streaming platforms like Sling TV, FuboTV, Vidgo, Hulu TV, and YouTube TV. The problem, however, is that these streaming services are only available to people in the US. You need a premium VPN that can provide you with a US IP address to watch ESPN if you’re outside the country.

Why isn’t ESPN working with my VPN?

ESPN might have blocked your VPN IP address. To get around this, choose a VPN that routinely updates its IP address to avoid getting blacklisted by popular streaming services. If the problem persists, try switching to a server in another US location. Also, be sure to clear your browser cache and cookies. If all else fails, contact your VPN provider for assistance.

Can I use a free VPN to watch ESPN?

You can try using a free VPN to watch ESPN, but it’s not advisable since they restrict server access and have limited IPs and bandwidth. Because of this, they usually can’t bypass ESPN’s anti-VPN technology anyway. To effectively unblock ESPN from anywhere, your best bet is a tried-and-tested VPN backed by a money-back guarantee.

Free VPNs can also expose you to various privacy and security risks. Some have poor encryption that leaves you vulnerable to hackers, while others collect and sell your data to third parties.

Get the Best VPN for ESPN

Due to ESPN's VPN-blocking technology, the platform is inaccessible to most VPNs. Even if they access it, they rarely have the speed to offer a quality viewing experience.

I recommend ExpressVPN to reliably access ESPN from anywhere. It offers the best speeds to watch live sports in UHD and regularly refreshes its US IP address to avoid ESPN blocking it. Additionally, all plans have a 30 money-back guarantee, allowing you to try ExpressVPN with zero risk. You can cancel and get a full refund if it's not for you.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for ESPN…