How to Watch Out-of-Market NFL Games: Never Miss Again
Are you a fan of the NFL but live in an area where your team’s games are blacked out? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different ways to stream out-of-market NFL games from anywhere.
So whether you’re a die-hard fan or just want to catch a few games, read on to learn how to keep up with the latest games.
To get you started, here are the five best VPNs for out-of-market NFL games:
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Here’s how to watch out-of-market NFL games by using a VPN
If you’re in a rush, a VPN is the fastest way to watch out-of-market NFL games in 2023.
Just follow these simple steps.
- Sign up to a premium, streaming-optimized VPN.* We recommend ExpressVPN. It’s the most powerful VPN for US streaming and has plenty of fast servers.
- Install the VPN on your device(s). If you’re streaming on your laptop or phone, it will be simple. To watch the NFL on your smart TV, you’ll need a special VPN.
- Log in to the VPN and connect to a US server. For out-of-market NFL games, you’ll need a server in the US so you can watch games on NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.
- Sign up to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Then, sit backand enjoy the best games.
If you’ve followed the steps above and still don’t have access to the NFL games, clear your browser’s cookies (it may have logged your location from a previous session).
Also, try a few servers to find the fastest for your location and device.
That’s it! Done.
*(If you’re thinking, “Can’t I just use a free VPN?” – keep reading. We’ll answer that question shortly.)
Deep dive: The best VPNs for the NFL
ExpressVPN isn’t the only VPN that works with out-of-market NFL games.
You have a few more options, which we’ll take a quick look at below. We’ve thoroughly tested every VPN on the list (and many more that didn’t make the final cut) to ensure they deliver fast, stable live streaming on every NFL channel. We also tested them against Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and every other popular streamer.
If you need more information, check out our complete VPN reviews.
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3 ways to watch out-of-market NFL games with a VPN
Now you know about how the best VPNs for NFL work, let’s look at the streaming platforms hosting NFL games.
Depending on where you’re located across the globe, you have four simple, low-cost options.
1. NFL Sunday Ticket
You can also purchase an NFL Sunday Ticket to watch out-of-market games.
Sunday Ticket is an out-of-market sports package for US residents that hosts every Sunday NFL game broadcast by Fox and CBS. From 2023, Sunday Ticket plans are available via YouTube TV add-ons. The various add-ons cost:
- $349/year for a standalone Sunday Ticket subscription
- $389/year for a standalone Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone subscription
- $249/year for an NFF Sunday Ticket add-on if you’re already subscribed to YouTube TV
- $289/year for an NFF Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone add-on if you’re already subscribed to YouTube TV
This is an expensive option.
Also, it’s only available to YouTube TV subscribers in the US. If you live outside the US or you’re traveling outside the country during the NFL season, you’ll need a VPN that works with YouTube TV and has plenty of US servers. We recommend ExpressVPN.
2. NFL+
NFL+ is a US-only, browser-based subscription for NFL fans who want access to games, documentaries, merch, and more.
It costs from $6.99 per month and includes live streams of every NFL game – including the Super Bowl. If you subscribe to NFL+ Premium, you also get access to recordings of any games you missed.
NFL+ is much cheaper than NFL Sunday Ticket. However, it only works on web browsers (i.e., your laptop or phone). So, if you want to use NFL+ on a big-screen TV, you’ll need to hook up your laptop or phone with a cable.
Also, NFL+ is only available in the US. So, once again, you’ll need a VPN. ExpressVPN is still a great option. But NordVPN and Surfshark will work, too.
3. NFL RedZone
NFL RedZone is an add-on available for pre-existing streaming and cable packages.
It doesn’t feature individual live games in full, but offers a “simulcast” of every game being played on a particular day. So, if you want to keep up with the action, you can jump between any game currently on air.
You can get RedZone on the following TV streaming services:
- Fubo TV: $74.99/month + $10.99/month for the Sports Plus with NFL RedZone add-on
- Hulu with Live TV: $69.99/month with ads (includes Disney+ with ads and ESPN+ with ads) + $9.99 Sports Add-on.
- Sling TV: $45/month (Blue) + $11/month Sports Extra
- YouTube TV: $64.99/month for the first three months ($72.99/month thereafter) + $10.99/month Sports Plus
Every streaming site listed above is only available in the US. You’ll need a VPN with US servers to access them. Once again, we recommend ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
You can also check your cable provider to see if it offers NFL Redzone.
Can I use a free VPN with out-of-market NFL games?
Almost no free VPNs will work for live streaming the NFL or watching game recordings.
Free VPNs have tiny server networks that are too slow for any kind of streaming and easily caught by the streaming sites hosting the NFL’s games. Even if you find a VPN with a large server network, it might still throttle your connection (thinking you’ll upgrade to a paid plan).
However, there are also serious safety concerns when using a free VPN.
Because free VPNs don’t charge a subscription fee, they use much less honest methods to profit from users. We’ve witnessed free VPNs:
- Harvesting your data and selling it to advertisers, data brokers, and hackers.
- Inserting ads onto your browser. Sometimes the ads are for the VPN’s paid plans and other times they’re for completely random products you’ll never buy.
- Hosting hackers and tracking software on their servers for a fee.
Plenty of excellent cheap VPNs can stream NFL games without compromising your safety or delivering a terrible experience. Use them instead of a free VPN and save yourself a lot of headaches.
Methodology: How we test the best VPNs for out-of-market NFL games
We put every VPN we recommend through a series of rigorous tests to confirm they live up to their sales pitches. We check every feature and tool, read all the privacy policies and fine print, and grill their customer support with questions and concerns.
When using a VPN to watch the NFL, we had to look at several factors, including:
- Large US server network: Because NFL content is mostly hosted in the US, your VPN needs servers in the country. We also included VPNs with global networks, too.
- Fast connection speeds: To live stream the NFL, especially in HD, you need a VPN that delivers fast, stable connections anywhere in the world.
- Access to content: The best VPNs work with every streaming site, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and those hosting NFL games.
- Excellent security: Look for VPNs with 265-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, automatic kill-switches, and other advanced cybersecurity features.
- Extra privacy tools: Our favorite VPNs offer built-in ad blockers, anti-tracking tools, malware detection, and much more to keep you completely hidden online.
- Easy-to-use apps: We’ve only included VPNs with simple, beginner-friendly apps for every major device (PCs, laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, and more).
- Good value: The most powerful VPNs are also usually the best value: affordable plans, money-back guarantees, and helpful customer support.
Read our complete VPN review process to see the full list of criteria. It can guide you when choosing a VPN for watching the NFL and anything else.
Out-of-market NFL games FAQs
[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”What is the best VPN for streaming football?” answer=”
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming football.
It offers a wide range of server locations in the US and elsewhere, ensuring reliable and fast connections suitable for streaming high-quality video content. Additionally, its strong security features ensure your online activity remains private, making it ideal for watching NFL games without interruptions or concerns.
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[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Can I use a VPN to get NFL games?” answer=”
Yes, you can definitely use a VPN to access NFL games, especially the out-of-market ones.
A VPN allows you to change your IP address, thereby spoofing your location. This enables you to bypass regional restrictions and watch live NFL streams that may not be available in your current location. For instance, by connecting to a server outside the US, you can gain access to services like NFL+ to watch all the games live.
We recommend ExpressVPN if you plan to use a VPN for accessing NFL games. It will provide uninterrupted, secure, private live streams anywhere in the world.
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[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”How do you get out-of-market NFL games without cable?” answer=”
To watch out-of-market NFL games without a traditional cable subscription, you have several options:
- NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV:Offers all of the Sunday afternoon games from Fox and CBS (excluding games available on your local CBS or Fox affiliate).
- NFL Game Pass International:An affordable option, especially for international viewers. It provides access to all 272 NFL games of the season.
- NFL+ Premium:Only available in the US. Lets you stream every game in full after it has aired. It also offers live access to local and primetime regular-season games.
- NFL RedZone:While it doesn’t feature full games, it provides simulcast coverage of all Sunday afternoon games.
All of these services are restricted to certain regions – primarily in the US. So, if you’re traveling or located outside the US, you’ll need to use a VPN to access them. We recommend ExpressVPN, as it has the best US server network and can deliver fast, stable connections that won’t interrupt your live streaming.
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Conclusion
VPNs provide the easiest and most secure access to out-of-market NFL games. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the NFL actively tries to block VPN servers, and using a VPN might go against their rules.
Let’s recap the benefits of our top VPNs: not only can you watch NFL games, but you’ll also enjoy better online security, privacy features, and tools to block ads and tracking.
You can try these VPNs risk-free with their trial periods or money-back guarantees. Once you find the right fit, you’ll have smooth access to your favorite NFL content no matter where you are.
