The best way to bypass blackouts and live stream sports when you travel is to use a VPN. I’ve tested several VPNs to find the most reliable options for accessing sports from anywhere while maintaining fast streaming speeds. I advise you to try ExpressVPN as it’s my top choice and lets me live stream sports in HD with no buffering at all. Below, I’ll show you how to use a VPN to stream any live sports game without restrictions — no matter where you are. Stream sports with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: The Best VPNs for Watching Live Sports for Free in 2023
Stream sports with ExpressVPN
Best VPNs for Streaming Live Sports for Free
1. ExpressVPN — Fast Servers for Streaming Sports for Free in HD
Key Features: ExpressVPN is easily my top choice for streaming sports for free. Sports streams need to be lag-free because even a second’s delay can make you miss out on key moments of the game. Thankfully, ExpressVPN’s servers delivered consistently fast speeds during tests. Download and upload speeds dropped up to 15% when connected to ExpressVPN’s servers but always remained fast enough to enjoy HD sports streams without buffering. ExpressVPN offers not only fast servers but also a massive variety of them. Its extensive server network consists of 3000+ servers across 94 countries, which is impressive. ExpressVPN’s servers let you unblock Fox Sports, DAZN, ESPN+, BT Sport, and various other sports streaming platforms so that you can watch all your favorite sports without issues. I was also pleased to learn that ExpressVPN offers apps for a wide variety of platforms. You can set ExpressVPN up on your PC, phone, console, router, or anything else you use to stream. Plus, it allows up to 5 simultaneous connections, so you and everyone else at home can easily stream sports simultaneously. Of course, ExpressVPN is also an incredibly secure option. It offers multiple security and privacy-focused features, including the following:
AES 256-bit encryption — Industry-standard encryption which safeguards your data and activity from prying eyes. Strict no-logs policy — Doesn’t keep any track of your online activity. TrustedServer technology —RAM-only servers that are wiped clean every time they’re powered off. Built-in kill switch — Disconnects you from the internet to keep you anonymous in case the VPN connection drops.
It isn’t the cheapest option on this list, but ExpressVPN is very well-priced, considering how good it is. It offers 1-month, 6-month, and yearly plans, all of which are worthwhile because of the VPN’s impressive performance. I recommend ExpressVPN’s 1-year + 3 months plan because you get a premium, independently-audited VPN with a 49% discount, thus making it excellent value for money. I highly recommend that you get ExpressVPN to stream your favorite sports. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can fully test the VPN during this time. If you’re unsatisfied with its performance, you can easily get a refund. I requested my money back via live chat and got it approved within minutes. Afterward, I had the money back in my account in 5 working days. Stream sports with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Streaming Sports Free Without Lag
Key Features: I consider CyberGhost a very reliable option to stream sports for free online. One of its big highlights is that CyberGhost offers many streaming-optimized servers in various regions. These optimized servers deliver faster connection speeds and are more effective at getting around geo-blocks, so they’re perfect for streaming. CyberGhost offers 9633 servers spread across 91 countries, which is very impressive. This massive variety of servers lets you watch your favorite sports streams on various platforms — no matter where you’re accessing them from. CyberGhost’s servers consistently provide fast connection speeds on both uploads and downloads, which is especially true for its streaming-optimized servers. I connected to a server in the Netherlands and watched MotoGP without lag or buffering. You’ll be pleased to know that CyberGhost allows up to 7 simultaneous connections. So, you and everyone else at home can stream your favorite sports at the same time with a single subscription. CyberGhost comes with native apps for many platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, so that you can use it on all your preferred devices. I also consider CyberGhost among the most secure VPNs available. It has an array of features that keep you secure and anonymous online, including:
AES 256-bit encryption — Offers top-tier encryption to safeguard your online activity. No-logs policy — Doesn’t store any of your browsing activity on its servers. Kill switch — Kills your internet connection so that you stay anonymous if the VPN disconnects. NoSpy servers — Secure in-house servers that are only accessible by CyberGhost’s internal staff.
CyberGhost offers a variety of plans, including a monthly plan, a yearly plan, a 2-year plan, and a 3-year plan. Its monthly plan is somewhat expensive and has a limited 14-day money-back guarantee. If you want the best value for your money, I recommend the 2-year + 2 months plan because it lets you get a 83% discount. You can test CyberGhost for free thanks to its generous 45-day money-back guarantee. I had my money back in a week when I tested this guarantee by asking for a refund over live chat. Stream sports with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Offers 35000+ Servers Across the World to Stream Sports for Free
Key Features: One of PIAs’ most impressive aspects is its massive server network consisting of 35000 servers in 84 countries. This includes servers in all 50 US states, so you can easily find servers that aren’t overcrowded and stream all you want to without buffering. So, you can use Private Internet Access to watch all your favorite sports without missing even a second of the intense action. Private Internet Access also comes with special streaming-optimized servers that are perfect for streaming sports online. These servers are scattered across various locations and are an excellent way to access and stream all your favorite sports broadcasts without lag or buffering. I tested various PIA servers, including the streaming-optimized ones, and got impressive connection speeds on almost all of them. PIA’s connection speeds can sometimes drop up to 50%. This only happens when connected to long-distance servers, though. Despite the drop in connection speeds, they usually remain fast enough for lag-free browsing and streaming. Private Internet Access is a solid choice for anyone concerned about security and privacy. Its key security and privacy-focused features include:
AES 256-bit encryption — Encrypts your traffic so no one can view your online activity. Built-in ad and tracker blocking — Blocks ads and trackers on websites that can monitor your behavior. Kill switch — Instantly disconnects you from the internet to keep you safe if the secure VPN connection drops. No-logs policy — Never keeps any of your browsing data on its servers.
I was impressed when I learned that Private Internet Access lets you simultaneously connect to 10 devices. Also, PIA offers apps for many platforms like Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, so you can easily use it on any of your devices. Private Internet Access offers monthly, six-month, and 2-year plans. I consider PIA a well-priced VPN and recommend getting its 2-year + 2 months plan if you want to get the best possible value for your money. If you’re still not sure about getting it, though, PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee that’ll let you test it risk-free. You can easily request a refund over live chat during this time, and I had my money back in 7 working days when I tested it myself. Stream sports with PIA
4. PrivateVPN — Easy-to-Use and Offers Lag-Free Sports Streaming
Key Features: PrivateVPN has intuitive apps that are easy to set up, navigate, and use, which makes it a solid VPN choice, especially if you aren’t familiar with using a VPN. Plus, it’s pretty reliable at unblocking sports streaming services and provides fast connection speeds, so it’s a well-rounded choice. While PrivateVPN’s network of 200 servers in 63 countries isn’t the biggest on this list, I was still impressed by its performance. I tested various PrivateVPN servers and was pleasantly surprised that most provide fast connection speeds, even some long-distance ones. When it comes to streaming sports, this VPN does not disappoint. PrivateVPN’s servers can easily unblock various sports streaming platforms like DAZN, Eurosport, and others. So, you can use PrivateVPN to easily stream your favorite sports matches no matter where they’re being broadcasted. You’ll also find that PrivateVPN is a reliable choice when it comes to security and privacy thanks to features such as:
AES 256-bit encryption — Airtight encryption for your online traffic so no one else can monitor it. DNS leak protection — Keeps your IP and other identifying information from leaking online. No-logs policy — Ensures that none of your browsing activity is ever kept on PrivateVPN’s servers. Kill switch — Keeps you safe and anonymous by killing your internet connection if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects.
What’s great about PrivateVPN is that it offers apps for many different platforms. It works on Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS, so you can use it on most of your devices. It’s easy to set up and use, so it shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to get PrivateVPN up and running. PrivateVPN offers monthly, quarterly, and 3-year plans, which are priced very well. Personally, I advise getting the 3-year plan if you decide to get it because it gets you a 85% discount. Plus, you can test all of PrivateVPNs features before you commit to a full purchase thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. I found it easy to claim this money-back guarantee via live chat and got my money back in 5 business days. Stream sports with PrivateVPN
5. IPVanish — unlimited Simultaneous Connections So Everyone at Home Can Stream Sports
Key Features: IPVanish is a great VPN to stream your favorite sports online because you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously. Unlike most VPNs, which are capped at 5 or 10, you can connect as many devices as you want with just a single IPVanish subscription. It’s got over 2000 servers across 75 countries, so you can use it to access all your favorite sports streaming services. My colleagues and I put IPVanish through rigorous testing, and it impressed us throughout all of these tests. It unblocks various sports streaming services like ESPN and BT Sport while maintaining fast connection speeds most of the time. I want to highlight that IPVanish’s connection speeds can sometimes drop up to 50% or even 60%, especially when connected to long-distance servers. However, as long as your base connection provides reasonable connection speeds, you can use IPVanish to stream your favorite sports in HD without too much buffering or lag. IPVanish is a great choice for staying safe and anonymous online, with useful features such as:
AES 256-bit encryption — Encrypts your traffic to ensure that no one can monitor your browsing activity. No-logs policy — Your browsing activity is never stored. DNS leak protection — Keeps your IP and other identifying information secure. Kill switch — Immediately disconnects you from the internet if the secure VPN connection drops.
Also, IPVanish offers native apps for various platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV Stick, and more. So, IPVanish has you covered whether you want a reliable VPN to stream sports on your smart TV or while on the go using your smartphone. IPVanish offers monthly and yearly plans, but I recommend its 1 year plan as it offers the best value for money. Also, IPVanish comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try all its features before committing. It’s effortless to claim this money-back guarantee as you can log in to the IPVanish website, cancel your refund, and get your money back within a few business days. Stream sports with IPVanish IPVanish also unblocks: Netflix, Showtime, Discovery+, Paramount+, ITV Hub, ESPN, Vudu, and more.
Comparison Table: 2023’s Best VPNs for Live Streaming Sports for Free
Stream sports anywhere with ExpressVPN
How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Live Streaming Free Sports
I tested the best VPNs in 2023 using the following criteria and ranked them according to how well they did in each. The following are the key things I looked out for when testing the best VPNs for live streaming free sports:
Fast connection speeds — Streaming in HD requires fast speeds, so I made sure that my recommended VPNs offer fast connection speeds on all their servers. A slow VPN can cause lots of buffering and drops in quality during streams, but all the VPNs on this list deliver fast speeds. Affordable plans — A VPN needs to be affordable whether you want it for a month or a year. I only listed VPNs that offer well-priced plans so you can subscribe to them without spending a fortune. Large server network — A VPN with an extensive server network across many countries is ideal if you want it for streaming. I only listed VPNs with massive server networks so you can avoid overcrowded servers and stream sports anywhere in the world. Responsive customer support — Responsive customer support is critical for any VPN, so you can get assistance whenever needed. I made sure to list only those VPNs that offer 24/7 live chat and other responsive methods of customer support. Apps on multiple platforms — Everyone likes to stream on different devices like PCs, smartphones, and even smart TVs. So, I prioritized VPNs that support a wide variety of platforms, like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and more.
Stream sports with ExpressVPN
Is it legal to stream live sports for free with a VPN?
It depends. Some channels and streaming services have geographic restrictions because of various licensing deals that they’ve made to broadcast sports. You may face copyright issues if you try to access these broadcasts if they’re unavailable in your country. My team and I do not condone using VPNs to access copyrighted material illegally. Nonetheless, I believe that VPNs are essential to maintain safety and anonymity while online. So, I still recommend using one while browsing the web to keep yourself safe.
What sports can I watch for free with a VPN?
There are many different sports you can watch for free with a VPN. You can watch Formula 1, the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, MotoGP, ICC Cricket Championships, UFC, NFL, NHL, and more with a VPN.
Can I use a VPN for sports betting?
Yes, you can use VPNs for sports betting. However, it’s important to highlight that it’s not okay to use them to break the law if gambling is illegal in your country. My team and I don’t condone doing anything illegal, so check your country’s laws and regulations before using VPNs for sports betting.
Will a VPN help me avoid a sports blackout?
Yes, premium VPNs can help you avoid sports blackouts. Sports organizations often have exclusivity deals with broadcasters. Unfortunately, these deals can be unfair because they mean you can’t watch your favorite team perform while traveling to another location. However, a VPN can help you avoid these blackouts entirely.
Can I use a free VPN to live stream sports for free?
Maybe, but I don’t recommend using a free VPN to live stream sports for free. Free VPNs have many issues, like slower speeds, a limited variety of servers, and bandwidth caps. While there are various worthwhile free VPNs that you can try, these issues make them a poor choice for live-streaming sports. Stream sports with ExpressVPN
Live Stream Sports for Free With a Quality VPN Today
Live streaming your favorite sports can be difficult due to broadcasting restrictions, especially when you’re traveling. However, you can get a high-quality VPN and watch all of your favorite sports teams perform, no matter where their matches are being broadcasted. There are several top-tier VPNs you can use to live stream sports for free online, but I recommend that you get ExpressVPN for the best live streaming experience. It’s a superb VPN that gives lightning-fast connection speeds for lag-free streaming in HD. Plus, ExpressVPN offers servers across many countries, meaning you can access all your favorite sports streaming services from anywhere.
