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How do I get around regional blackouts?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 13, 2026

A VPN is an effective workaround for ESPN blackouts.

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN routes your internet connection through a server in another location. By connecting to a VPN server outside of the blackout region, you can unlock region-locked streams, or even watch ESPN+ while abroad.

How do you bypass blackout restrictions?

Bypassing local blackouts with a browser and a VPN is simple. Load the app from your VPN provider of choice, select a VPN server outside of the blacked-out area, load your browser of choice, and visit the ESPN website. Enjoy the show.

How can I watch NFL without blackouts?

If you want to watch all the NFL matches without getting a blackout, then NFL Game Pass International could be the best option for you. And the best thing, NFL Game Pass, offers a 7-days free trial too!

How can I watch a blacked out NFL game?

in addition, How can I watch blacked out NFL games? The blackout schedule can be viewed on the homepage of NFL Game Pass. However, if you purchase a Game Pass subscription from any other location worldwide then you will have unrestricted NFL game access, including to live streams of every game.

Is there a way to watch blackout games?

Here's how to watch blackout games:

Sign up for and download a good VPN service provider with plenty of bandwidth and server locations. We particularly recommend NordVPN. Install the VPN app on your Macbook or PC and run it. Connect to a server in a location where the game you want to watch is not blacked out.

39 related questions found

How do I bypass MLB.TV blackout?

How to watch MLB blackout games with a VPN

  1. Sign up for a good VPN. We recommend NordVPN, NordVPN discount off now!
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your device.
  3. Connect to a server in a location where your game isn't blacked out.
  4. Go to MLB.tv or open up the MLB.tv app and search for your game.
  5. Grab a drink and enjoy!

How do I bypass NBC sports blackout?

Quick Guide: How to Watch NBC Sports Live from Anywhere

  1. Choose a VPN with high-speed servers in the USA. ...
  2. Download and launch the VPN app.
  3. Choose a US server to access American websites.
  4. Go to the NBC Sports website and click on Watch or any live event shown.
  5. Click “Verify” and choose your provider from the list shown.

Why is NFL Network blackout?

In the event that the same pre-season game is televised nationally and locally, the national network is blacked out because the game will air on another channel in the local market. Over the course of the MLB's season, nationally televised games may air on FOX, ESPN, FS1, FS2, TBS and the MLB Network.

Will a VPN allow me to watch blackout NFL games?

If you want to watch NFL games from outside the US, the easiest method is to get a VPN. A good VPN, like NordVPN or Surfshark, will get around any geo-blocks that might otherwise stop you from accessing sites that are streaming NFL games.

Does Hulu have blackouts for sports?

Live sports broadcasts on Hulu are subject to regional network availability and blackouts restrictions.

Does Hulu live blackout NFL games?

Thankfully, Hulu + Live TV provides access to local news and sports coverage in many areas. Check with the service to make sure it offers access to local networks in your area. All local games are subject to blackouts.

Why are there regional restrictions on NFL games?

Sports blackout rules are used to make sure that games aren't viewable in “media markets” that don't have the right to do so. (“media markets” means channels, broadcasts, or streaming services) Generally, the rights to games are held by local teams or sports networks.

How do I get around TV blackouts?

A VPN is an effective workaround for ESPN blackouts.

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN routes your internet connection through a server in another location. By connecting to a VPN server outside of the blackout region, you can unlock region-locked streams, or even watch ESPN+ while abroad.

How do you avoid blackouts in the NHL?

NHL Blackouts are hugely annoying for fans of hockey, but there is a simple way to get around them. Just sign up for a VPN and you can watch any NHL game on either NBC Sports or the NHL.tv online streaming service, no matter where you are.

Why is an event blacked out in my area?

If you see a message that states, "This content is subject to blackout", this is because the event that you requested is not available on ESPN in your location. Your location is determined by your IP Address.

How can I watch NFL games outside my region?

There a few different ways to watch NFL games live online:

  1. US mobile streaming. For the first time this year, many NFL games are available to stream free via the NFL and Yahoo Sports apps. ...
  2. US cable network streaming. ...
  3. CBS All Access. ...
  4. Amazon Prime. ...
  5. US streaming TV. ...
  6. NFL Sunday Ticket. ...
  7. Outside the US: NFL Game Pass.

How can i stream out-of-market NFL games?

How To Watch Out-Of-Market NFL Games (7 Ways)

  1. The NFL Mobile App. One of the first ways that you can watch out-of-market NFL games is with the official NFL mobile app. ...
  2. Sling TV. Sling TV offers several different packages that grant you access to various NFL games. ...
  3. Hulu + Live TV. ...
  4. DirecTV. ...
  5. Websites. ...
  6. Restaurants. ...
  7. Friends.

Is there an NFL Game Pass international app?

NFL Game Pass International is only available to users located outside of the U.S., Canada and China. Additional blackout restrictions apply in the UK and Ireland. This app requires an Internet connection and the developer can change the content of the app at any time.

How does NFL blackout policy work?

The NFL's blackout policy, active since the 1970s, mandates that a game must be blacked out on local TV markets in the event that fewer than 85 percent of available seats have been sold 72 hours prior to kickoff. However, the deadline could be extended if a team believed it was close to selling out the game.

What is the blackout rule?

Blackouts based on attendance. In the NFL, any broadcaster that has a signal that hits any area within a 75 miles (121 km) radius of an NFL stadium may only broadcast a game if that game is a road game (also known as an away game), or if the game sells out 72 hours or more before the start time for the game.

Does ESPN Plus have blackouts?

Blackouts will be enforced according to the location from which you are accessing the ESPN+ service or the applicable third-party services, and we may use different technologies and methods to verify your geographic location.

Does Sling TV blackout local sports?

Some games may be blacked out due to local blackout rules, or because Sling TV doesn't have the rights to broadcast a game. Impacted subscribers will not be able to watch the game unless it is also on a local broadcast network, available either through your Sling TV subscription, or with an over-the-air antenna.

How do I get around YouTube TV blackout?

YouTube TV is only available in the US. A VPN will help you get around this by letting you connect to a server in the US. You'll then be issued with a US IP address, which will trick YouTube into thinking you're in the country and will therefore allow you to bypass YouTube TV's location restrictions.

Can I watch NBC Sports with a VPN?

To watch NBC Sports live stream free from buffering, you need to use an NBC Sports VPN that can deliver a seamless streaming experience. We're proud to say that Hotspot Shield is the fastest VPN on the market.

How do you trick in MLB.TV location?

How to Bypass MLB.tv Blackouts on PC/Mac

  1. As a first step, you need to sign up with a VPN service. ...
  2. Download the VPN application on your Mac or Windows PC after you create your VPN account.
  3. Now open the VPN application, sign in, and choose a VPN server that is located in a state where there are no blackouts.