We hate to break it to you, but the online world is full of restrictions, surveillance, hackers, and advertisements. You might think that you can navigate this world freely, but unless you’re using a VPN, you’re wrong.
VPNs are clever security tools that encrypt all of your internet traffic. This means that all of your online activity is hidden and your data is protected. The best VPNs also offer a wide range of advanced security features like ad blocking, malware defence, and much more. Cybersecurity is obviously absolutely vital these days, but there’s another reason that these services are getting more and more popular, and it concerns streaming.
VPNs hide your real IP address, which means you can bypass online restrictions to access more of the content you love. Whether you want to stream films, shows, or sports, VPNs can unblock leading sites from around the world, significantly boosting your content options. This is particularly useful if you follow a sport or team from another country, because you can use a VPN to watch live games without relying on a seriously dodgy stream with adverts, viruses, and other nasty online threats.
Do you need a VPN to watch the NFL?
If you’re looking to watch the Super Bowl or any other NFL fixture, the NFL Game Pass is your best option. You can subscribe to this service from anywhere though, so why do you need a VPN?
Annoyingly, the U.S. version of the NFL Game Pass does not allow live streaming of games, plus some games are blocked in parts of Europe. This means that the only way to get access to every game from any location is with a VPN. By connecting to server in a country with full access to the NFL Game Pass, you can trick the site into thinking you are based in a location that isn’t blocked. This is exactly the same technique used by absolutely loads of VPN users to access more libraries of streaming sites like Netflix.
It’s still worth considering a VPN if you live in a country with full access to the NFL Game Pass, because you might be able to find a cheaper subscription deal if you sign up from a server in another country. For example, the NFL Game Pass tends to be a lot cheaper in Asia-Pacific countries, with prices dropping to under £100 per season in places like India. It’s easy to switch your location to India with a VPN, meaning you could access the best deal in a matter of seconds.
We should point out that you will still need a subscription to the NFL Game Pass if you want to watch every game. A VPN can bypass geo-restrictions and save you a lot of money on a subscription, but they do not grant you access to everything for free.Â
What are the most important VPN features for streaming sport?
We know that the world of VPNs can be a complicated place, so we’ve researched everything you need to know about these services. We’ve done all of the hard work for you and highlighted a selection of features that matter when it comes to streaming sport:Â
Connection speed — Every VPN is going to cause a drop in connection speed, but it shouldn’t result in lag or buffering. This interference completely ruins a streaming session, so you should make sure you select a VPN with consistently strong connection speeds.
Number of connections — Some VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same account, so everyone can securely watch the NFL at the same time. Most of the best services let you connect at least five devices simultaneously, which is still great for large households or people with multiple devices.
Server network — The best VPNs provide access to thousands of servers located all around the world. It’s important to pick a VPN with a large and diverse selection of servers so that you can always find a reliable and speedy connection to the NFL Game Pass.
Bandwidth — There are some cheap services that only let you download a certain amount of data per month. These should be avoided at all costs, because it simply isn’t possible to stream with a limit on your bandwidth. Instead, you should opt for a VPN with unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream and download as much sport as you want.
Take all of this into consideration when selecting a VPN for streaming the NFL. Weigh up these features against your own set of personal priorities, and then you should have a much clearer idea about what really matters to you.
Can you use free VPNs for streaming?
We have some good news for you: There are plenty of free VPNs on offer that provide users with a decent set of features. There is a catch though, and it’s that these free VPNs always come with limits on data, server network, and connection speed. There are free trials available that don’t have limitations, but these don’t tend to last very long. What we’re saying is that if you want to stream sport freely, we really wouldn’t recommend a free VPN (unless you’re using a free trial for one game).
Fortunately, there are a lot of great deals available on the leading services, especially if you’re willing to commit to a particular provider. The cheapest monthly rates are reserved for the longest contracts, so if you find a VPN that works for you, it might be worth making a big commitment.
If you want something that lets you stream without constant interruptions, whilst providing you with advanced online protection for your data and identity, you’re going to have to pay. That doesn’t mean it needs to be expensive though. Be patient, because new deals drop all the time. It’s all about taking your time and picking your moment to invest.
What is the best VPN for watching the NFL?Â
There are plenty of VPNs out there that claim to be great for streaming sport, but only a small selection of services provide everything you need and more. We have checked out everything on offer and matched up providers against the most important features for streaming, and highlighted the best VPNs for the NFL.
There should be something for everyone and every budget on this list, with popular providers like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN making the cut. All you need to do is consider everything on this list, and pick something that works for you.
These are the best VPNs for watching the NFL in 2023.
