How to Get Around ESPN Blackout Restrictions in 2025: Unrestricted Access to Live Sports
U.S. sports fans are sometimes thwarted by the error message, "This content is subject to blackout" on ESPN or ESPN+. To prevent this from becoming an issue for you, we've put together this guide on how to get around ESPN blackout restrictions.
Written by Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)
Last Updated: 2024-10-24T19:03:48+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How to Get Around a Blackout on ESPN With a VPN
- Browse to nordvpn.com and grab a 74% (plus 3 months free) discounted plan.
- Open the app and connect to a U.S. server outside the blackout location.
- Log in to ESPN or ESPN+ and start streaming.
Best VPNs for bypassing ESPN Blackouts:
- NordVPN — Top-tier VPN with uncompromising performance. You can sign up for NordVPN with a 74% (plus 3 months free) discount and use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.
- Surfshark — Best VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark’s two-year plan offers (for the Winter Deal) 64% (plus 4 months free) off on the first two years with three months free.
- ExpressVPN — Slightly more expensive VPN but feature-rich and fast. A 25% discount is available for users who choose ExpressVPN’s extended subscription options.
Facts & Expert Analysis About ESPN Blackouts:
- Blackout policies: U.S. sports streaming services ESPN (TV channel website) and ESPN+ (the official streaming service) sometimes black out select in-market games depending on broadcasting agreements. This is done to protect local or regional rights holders.
- Getting around blackouts: If a blackout restriction hits you, the game will be unavailable for you to stream. Fortunately, you can use a VPN to circumvent this issue.
- Best VPN for blackouts: We recommend NordVPN for bypassing ESPN blackout restrictions, but there are plenty of other reliable, fast VPN services to choose from.
Blackout restrictions are part and parcel of using ESPN, ESPN+ (the platform’s online streaming service) and other streaming services for sports, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get around ESPN blackout restrictions by connecting to a virtual private network (VPN) server.
VPNs are easy to obtain, and you can get set up and stream live sports with one in a matter of minutes. Not only are they a workaround for blackout restrictions, but you can also use them to access your ESPN+ account while traveling outside the U.S.
However, you should be careful when choosing a VPN and only opt for a highly secure one like NordVPN. Check out our best VPN roundup to see which ones we’ve deemed worthy. For now, let’s get down to business with how to use a VPN to get around ESPN+ blackout games so you can watch the NBA, NHL, MLB and more in peace.
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11/14/2023
Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.
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04/05/2024 Facts checked
Rewritten to include tutorials for getting around blackouts on mobile and web browsers, and to update information on our recommended VPNs. We also explain more about what blackouts are and why they happen.
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10/01/2024
We updated the list to reflect the latest advancements in VPN technology and usability.
Easy Guide: How to Get Around ESPN Blackout Dates Using a VPN
These steps detail how to get a VPN app and connect to a server to stream your desired game even if there’s a blackout in your area. We’ll use NordVPN — our top VPN recommendation — as an example.
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- Comprehend the essential role a VPN plays in safeguarding your digital life
- Gain a deep understanding of how VPNs function under the hood
- Develop the ability to distinguish fact from fiction in VPN promotions
You can also use this method to access ESPN and ESPN+ if you travel outside the U.S.
- Pick a Secure VPN
First, head over to NordVPN’s website and choose a plan. You can get up to a 74% (plus 3 months free) discount, risk-free because it’s covered by the 30-day money-back guarantee. Our advice is to get the two-year plan for the biggest savings.
- Download the VPN
Download the VPN app for your device from the provider’s website, or go to the Apple app store or Google Play store if you’re using a mobile device.
- Connect to a U.S. Server
Open the VPN app and connect to a U.S. server outside the blackout region. For example, if the blackout is in Los Angeles, connect to a server like New York or Seattle.
- Stream the Blacked-Out Game
Log in to ESPN with your TV provider or your ESPN+ account as normal and stream the blacked-out game.
How to Get Around Blackout Restrictions on ESPN by Device
Below, we’ll take you through the quick steps to stream blacked-out games on mobile and in web browsers. Side note: Some smart TVs (like Android TV and Apple TV) let you download VPN apps directly so you can watch blacked-out events on the big screen. However, some devices (like Roku) require manual installation via a router.
What Are ESPN Plus Blackout Dates & Why Do They Exist?
ESPN Plus blackout dates exist due to broadcasting agreements with regional sports networks. According to ESPN’s website, these blackouts are enforced “to protect the primary rights holder.” The rights are negotiated and agreed upon by those who own the content and those who want to distribute it.
If an event airing on ESPN’s website or ESPN+ is blacked out, it means that it’s not available in your area. ESPN blackouts affect in-market teams for specific locations, so if you’re on a team’s home TV territory, then the event that the team is playing in could be blacked out on ESPN+ for you. This happens even if the game is on national TV.
When you stream on ESPN or ESPN+ online, the service knows your location from your IP address. This is where a VPN comes in (more on this further down).
Is There an ESPN Blackout Map?
No, there aren’t any official ESPN blackout maps, though news outlets may create their own maps from time to time. According to ESPN’s website, you have to check local listings to see if a game is subject to blackouts. If it is, there’ll be a note that says so on the listing.
ESPN Plus Blackout Error Messages
If you try to access a game that’s unavailable in your area due to issues with broadcasting rights, you may encounter one of the error messages below. If this happens, connect to a U.S. VPN server in a location outside your area to stream as normal.
- This event has been blacked out in your area.
- This content is not available for your package or region.
- This content is subject to blackout restrictions in your area.
How a VPN Can Bypass ESPN Blackouts
A VPN can bypass ESPN blackout restrictions because it changes your IP address — which ESPN uses to determine your location — when you connect to a server outside your area. The main function of a VPN is to keep your data secure and private so nobody can snoop on it, but its ability to unblock streaming services is a bonus.
In addition to unblocking streaming services like ESPN+, you can also change your Netflix library and Amazon Prime Video library with a VPN.
The Best VPNs for Bypassing ESPN Blackouts
If a regional sports network has the broadcasting rights to a game you want to watch and it’s blacked out as a result, no worries. The following VPNs pair great with live sports and can solve this problem in no time.
1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Getting Around ESPN Blackout Restrictions
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is a secure VPN service with plenty of extra features to boot and a decent U.S. server selection. It also boasts the best overall speeds in terms of downloads, uploads and latency, making it a powerful streaming VPN.
You can also save a few pennies with NordVPN by opting for one of its long-term plans, all of which come with 30-day money-back guarantees.
NordVPN has much in common with other VPN providers, but it’s not as user-friendly because you need to manually enable certain features like obfuscation, whereas ExpressVPN enables them automatically. NordVPN’s mobile app can also be confusing. However, as long as you can connect to a server — which isn’t tricky at all — you’ll be fine for streaming. Check out our NordVPN review for more.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
2. Surfshark — Best Budget VPN for Getting Around ESPN Blackout Restrictions
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
3. ExpressVPN — Best Beginner-Friendly VPN for Getting Around ESPN Blackout Restrictions
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
4. PrivadoVPN — Best Free VPN for Getting Around ESPN Blackout Restrictions
- 10GB
- 1
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
Can You Use a Free VPN to Watch ESPN Blackout Games?
Yes, but make sure it’s one of those mentioned in our best free VPNs roundup, like PrivadoVPN, Proton VPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear or hide.me. As we touched on above in our discussion of PrivadoVPN, some free VPNs come with serious security issues and holes in their privacy policies, so they shouldn’t be trusted.
As long as a free VPN features in our best free VPNs guide and has U.S. servers, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t give it a go. Just bear in mind that there may be restrictions like data limits or limited free locations, so if you’re a frequent streamer, you’d be better off with a paid VPN plan.
Final Thoughts
ESPN blackouts are certainly annoying, but a good VPN lets you stream any game you want, so it’s a must-have for every sports fan with a streaming account. If you’re still undecided on VPNs, try out a free plan or one with a money-back guarantee, like those offered by NordVPN. With NordVPN’s risk-free 30-day refund period, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving the service a try.
Surfshark is also a fantastic choice. It’s plans are on the cheaper side and it has an incredible bonus of offering unlimited simultaneous connections. It will help you keep your whole family secure online.
Have you been affected by blackouts? Has a VPN helped you overcome blackouts? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: Bypass ESPN Blackouts
A sports blackout occurs when a game can’t be broadcast in a certain area due to a conflict of rights. The goal is typically to protect local broadcast rights holders.
If a Yankees game is blacked out on YES National, it means that YES National doesn’t have the right to air it outside the Yankees’ local TV territory. It could also mean that a streaming service like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV+ has the rights to the game.
If a game is blacked out on ESPN, it means that one of the teams is in-market for your area. Local broadcasters have the right to air it, so the blackout occurs to protect the local broadcaster or honor certain contracts.
You can watch blacked-out games on ESPN+ by connecting to a U.S. VPN server in a location outside the blackout zone.