Photo ESPN
Photo ESPN

Online streaming of ESPN requires access to an American Cable subscription. If you have access to such a subscription Unlocator Smart DNS and VPN can remove the last geographical restrictions.

Watch ESPN for free with VPNs

Sign up for a decent VPN. We recommend NordVPN, now 72% OFF!

Download and install the VPN app for your device.

Open the app and select a server in the US. Take care to avoid any blackout regions for the game or team you’re watching.

Click Connect.

Open the ESPN stream and begin watching.

Why do you need a VPN to watch ESPN?

ESPN is available in many countries all over the world. However, some of the most popular live sports content is only available on the US channel. Even in the US itself, there are often regional blackouts that stop people in particular parts of the US from watching live games. As such, you will need a reputable VPN to access the specific branch of this network if you are outside of the US (or in the wrong part of the US).

In a nutshell, a VPN helps to bypass geo-restrictions put in place by multiple streaming services. A VPN will block your actual location and make it look as if you’re using the internet elsewhere. This means that if you connect your VPN to a server in the US, you’ll be able to access services that are usually restricted outside of the country.

As well as helping you to override geo blocking on streaming services, a VPN provides numerous security benefits. These include data encryption, split tunneling, and an automatic internet kill switch.

Best VPN services to watch ESPN, ESPN Plus, and ESPN 3

There is a wide range of VPN services available on the market. To help you decide which is best for you, we’ve compiled a list of our favourites below.

NordVPN

NordVPN is one of our favourites. It has over 5000 servers around the world – almost 2000 of which are in the USA. This ensures you’ll have a wide choice of servers to connect to when watching ESPN.

NordVPN promises super fast speed and comes with unlimited bandwidth. This makes it ideal for streaming live sporting events. The service also incorporates extra security features like a 256-bit AES encryption, a customizable kill switch, and a double-hop VPN which routes the connection through two VPNs instead of one.

Surfshark

Surfshark has over 3200 servers in over 60 countries – including the USA. The service has decent speeds, which makes it suitable for watching live streams without buffering. Surfshark also lets you connect as many devices as you like.

The VPN has plenty of security features in place to keep you safe. With 256-bit encryption, your real IP is always hidden, and there is added protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. You can even sign up anonymously and use cryptocurrency to pay.

Surfshark is cheaper than many of its competitors. It has software for iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a strong choice for streaming ESPN from anywhere. It offers server locations in 94 countries – 20 of which are in the USA. In testing, the service generally performs highly in terms of unblocking and speed.

ExpressVPN uses a 256-bit AES military grade encryption, and comes with an integrated kill switch. It has apps for Android and iOS – alongside a desktop version that is compatible with iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Watch ESPN for free with Smart DNS

Photo Cyber News
Photo Cyber News

The first of your options to unblock ESPN is our Smart DNS. Once your device is configured to use our DNS then the lookups that ESPN makes to figure out your location are sent to our US servers. Since the IP of our US servers will be used by ESPN to validate your location you will appear to be American – regardless of where in the world you are. Sounds complicated? In reality it’s not and you don’t need any technical knowledge to use the Smart DNS.

In order to get started you first need register for a free Unlocator trial and then follow the setup guides for the device you want to use.

The great thing about using Smart DNS to watch ESPN is that all your other streaming services will continue to work. We make sure that you are in the right location whenever you try to stream. In fact we also remove blackouts from the MLB streaming service with our Smart DNS. So it’s a great solution for sports fans.

ESPN is an American multinational cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc. it was founded back in 1979 and it broadcasts largely from studio facilities in Connecticut.

The service is one of the most successful sports networks around. It is available to almost 95% of all households with paid television in the United States, and it broadcasts in more than 200 countries.

Best streaming services to watch ESPN

With any of these streaming services, you can watch ESPN through the web, mobile smart devices, and TV-connected devices such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and Roku. By using your internet connection and these streaming services, you can stream and watch the same ESPN as that airing on cable TV.

Many of the streaming services will also let you access ESPN’s streaming app – which brings all the ESPN branded channels together. This includes premium content from ESPN+ – if you are a subscriber. If you can’t access ESPN via cable, we recommend trying one of these great VPNs for streaming .

Sling TV

The Orange Plan on Sling TV is the most affordable way to watch ESPN. It costs $35 per month to stream SportsCenter and all of ESPN’s programming straight to your TV. Sling TV also offers ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Goal Line/Buzzer/Beater/Bases Loaded, and more.

There are a bunch of other features available through Sling TV:

No contract required

On-demand when available from a network

Access to ESPN, FS1, HGTV, A&E, AMC, and many more popular channels

Supports all major devices

Includes 50 hours of cloud DVR storage

Fubo TV

With over 90 channels offered in its family package for $64.99 per month, FuboTV is a great choice for watching sports. There is a 7-day free trial, and the service offers ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 in their standard package. ESPNU and ESPNews are available through channel upgrade options.

Some features included in the FuboTV family package are:

Ability to watch on three screens at the same time

ESPN, FS1, and more are available

The app is available on major platforms, like AppleTV and Roku

Comes with 250 hours of cloud DVR storage

Hulu Live TV

Hulu offers a live TV service that includes ESPN. The service shows ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, SEC Network, and ACC Network for $64.99 per month. It’s also possible to use your Hulu Live TV login to watch ESPN3 on the ESPN app.

A subscription to Hulu Live TV includes:

50 hours of cloud DVR storage

Over 60 channels (including live ABC and NBC)

Access to the Hulu on-demand streaming library

Ability to stream two streams at once

Available to use on iOS, Xbox One, 4th Gen Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Android.

Vidgo

This newer streaming service offers competitive pricing at $55 per month for the core plan. Vidgo includes ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews in its core package – alongside 60 other channels.

There is no contract with Vidgo, so you can cancel at any time. There is also promotional pricing for new customers. Other features include:

Over 70 channels including ESPN

Ability to stream on three devices simultaneously

Supported on multiple devices, including Roku, iOS, and Fire TV

How to watch ESPN on your device

The way in which you watch ESPN will vary depending on your device. In this next section we’ll share instructions for watching ESPN on some of the most popular devices.

Watch ESPN on your PC (Mac, Windows)

Pick a VPN with lots of US servers. (We recommend using NordVPN)

Download your VPN and create an account.

Choose a US server and connect to it.

Subscribe to a streaming service that shows ESPN.

Open the ESPN stream and start watching!

Watch ESPN on your phone (Apple, Android)

Choose a VPN with US servers.

Download your VPN and create an account, then choose a US server and connect to it. (We recommend NordVPN for phone users)

Head to the app store or Google Play Store and download the free ESPN app.

Open the app then click on Settings and Login to your ESPN account.

Once logged in, return to the home screen.

Hit the ESPN+ logo, choose a stream and enjoy!

Watch ESPN on Roku

Photo Tech Vibe
Photo Tech Vibe

Download a VPN with lots of US servers, and connect to a US server (We recommend using NordVPN).

Subscribe to a streaming service that shows ESPN.

On your Roku menu, navigate to Search and click OK.

Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar.

Select the streaming service and click OK, then select Add Channel and press OK on your remote.

The app is now installed on Roku! Open the app and enjoy ESPN.

Watch ESPN on Kodi

Download a VPN and create an account, then choose a US server to connect to (We recommend NordVPN).

Subscribe to a streaming service that shows ESPN.

Launch the Kodi app, go to Add-ons and click package installer.

Select Install from Repository > Kodi add-on Repository > Video Add-ons > ESPN 3 > ESPN 3 > Install.

Wait until the ESPN 3 Add-on has enabled notification.

From the home screen, select Add-ons, then click on ESPN.

Watch ESPN on Amazon Fire TV

Pick a VPN with lots of US servers.

Download your VPN and create an account, then connect to a US server (We recommend NordVPN).

Subscribe to a streaming service that carries ESPN.

On your Fire TV home screen, click on the search icon. Search for the name of the streaming service you subscribe to.

Select Download and the channel will install.

Open the app and login, ESPN will be available through the live TV guide.

Watch ESPN on PS3, PS4, PS5

Download and install a VPN with US servers, then connect to a US server (We recommend NordVPN).

Start the ESPN app on your playstation and click the settings gear.

Select subscriptions and click subscribe, then login.

Note down the activation code and head to http://espn.com/activate on your computer or mobile browser.

Enter the activation code on your browser and click continue.

Login to your ESPN account or create a new one. Your subscription is now linked to your playstation!

Some of the ESPN Shows Available

There is no shortage on content when it comes to ESPN. Below is a selection of the shows that you can watch once you have unblocked ESPN.

Photo ESPN
Photo ESPN

News / analysis

Baseball Tonight

College Football Final

College Football Live

College Football Scoreboard

College GameDay basketball

College GameDay football

College Football Final

E:60

ESPN FC

Get Up!

The Jump

Monday Night Countdown

NBA Countdown

NFL Insiders

NFL Live

NFL Matchup

NFL Primetime

SportsCenter

Sunday NFL Countdown

Talk / debate

Stephen A. Smith – main panelist on First Take, and analyst on multiple other ESPN programs

Around the Horn

Highly Questionable

First Take

First Take Re-Take

High Noon

Intentional Talk

Outside the Lines

Pardon the Interruption

SportsNation

Original series

30 for 30

World Series of Poker

Game telecasts

ACC Wednesday

Big Monday

ESPN College Football Primetime

ESPN College Football Primetime

ESPN Megacast

ESPN Major League Soccer

ESPN2 College Football Friday Primetime

ESPN2 College Football Saturday Primetime

Friday Night Fights

Monday Night Baseball

Monday Night Football

NBA Friday

NBA Wednesday

NTRA Super Saturdays

Professional Bowlers Association

Saturday Primetime

Sunday Night Baseball

Super Tuesday

Throwdown Thursday

Wednesday Night Baseball

Wednesday Night Fights

Wimbledon

WNBA Tuesday

How to watch ESPN from your country

ESPN is geo-blocked and unavailable for audiences outside of the US. Even users who subscribe with cable TV can only view ESPN when in the USA. Fortunately, you can use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions and stream ESPN online – regardless of your location.

Not all VPNs work because ESPN actively blocks some of them. In the next section, we’ll take you through the process of watching ESPN from a variety of locations.

How to watch ESPN in Canada

To watch ESPN in Canada, you’ll need to use a VPN with US servers. Once you have installed it, connect to a US server. If you haven’t already got an ESPN account, you should sign up using a US address. Alternatively, you can sign up to a streaming service that shows ESPN.

How to watch ESPN in the UK

To watch ESPN in the UK, you’ll need to download a VPN and connect to a US server. Now you simply need to head to the ESPN website and enter a US zip code when creating an account. Alternatively, you can sign up to a streaming service that shows ESPN.

How to watch ESPN in Europe

To watch ESPN in Europe, you will need to download and install a VPN with servers in the US. A great option for this in Europe is NordVPN. Once this is complete, you should connect to a US server. From here, simply create an account on the ESPN website and use a US zip code when filling out your details. You can also sign up to a streaming service that shows ESPN.

How to watch ESPN in Australia

In Australia, ESPN is available as part of Foxtel iQ’s pay TV Sports HD pack. If you’re not signed up to this, you’ll need to get a VPN that has plenty of servers in the US. Once installed, connect to a US server and login to ESPN or a streaming service of your choice. We recommend Surfshark for this!

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