7 Best VPNs for watching English Premier League (EPL) abroad

If you’re a British sports fan, you might have noticed you can’t always watch the English Premier League (EPL) games while abroad. While some games air on TV, most streaming services like Sky Go and BT Sport use regional blocking to prevent viewing from countries other than the UK. That said, it is possible to bypass these restrictions and keep your online activities private by connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and watch the EPL while traveling in the US or anywhere else internationally.

VPNs encrypt your network traffic, meaning it can’t be read by an outside observer. This includes hackers, network administrators, and your own Internet Service Provider (ISP). You can mask your IP address with one from another country by connecting to a server in that location. This means you can trick websites into thinking you are somewhere else, for example, back home in the UK – so you can watch your usual home streaming services from anywhere.

We get into plenty of detail on each of the VPNs we have selected for this list, but if you are short of time, below is a summary list of the best VPNs for watching EPL matches.

1. NordVPN: Our #1 choice for streaming EPL. Large network of servers that have no trouble unblocking EPL matches. Consistently good speeds and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for streaming.
2. Surfshark: The best budget option for watching EPL. Has no connection limit and no issues with major streaming services. Very fast and extremely secure.
3. ExpressVPN: Unblock EPL matches from anywhere. Solid security features, a large network, and some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen.
4. CyberGhost: A beginner-friendly option with dedicated servers for platforms like BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video.
5. IPVanish: This lightweight VPN boasts impressive security and the ability to unblock a whole host of EPL broadcasters.
6. PrivateVPN: Excel for streaming. Very fast and private. Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections.
7. Hotspot Shield: Easy-to-use apps, fast speeds, and strong security.

Disclaimer: Comparitech does not encourage or condone using a VPN to stream content illegally. We recommend thoroughly researching your country’s laws and the terms of use for specific streaming sites before using a VPN to watch Premier League matches.

Best VPNs for live streaming the Premier League

Choosing the right VPN provider is crucial. There are hundreds of different services, but not all of them are suitable for streaming live content. To find the best VPNs for watching EPL matches, we looked for those with the following characteristics:

• Fast speeds and stable network connections
• Numerous servers in the UK
• Strong encryption and security features
• Minimal logging or no logging at all

You can read more on our methodology and how we test VPNs here. Or continue reading for detailed reviews of the VPNs that made our list.

Here’s our list of the best VPNS for watching the English Premier League from anywhere:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024 Unblocks EPL AbroadTested Nov 2024

NordVPN is our first choice for watching the Premier League. It has more than 400 British servers and ranks highly for speed, so you shouldn’t experience much, if any, buffering when streaming EPL games on a fast connection. Additionally, this VPN is able to securely access a huge range of platforms including BT Sport, Sky Go, and Now TV.

This provider makes staying safe online very simple. It includes anti-malware and ad-blocking features, as well as a highly customizable kill switch, leak protection, and 256-bit AES encryption. There are no logs of personally identifiable information, a fact that is periodically verified by independent auditors (most recently in July 2020). In case you have any difficulties, 24/7 live chat is available to help.

NordVPN apps are available for Linux, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It can be manually installed on select routers.

BEST VPN FOR EPL STREAMING:NordVPN is our top choice. A speedy option that can unblock EPL matches while abroad. Exceptional privacy and security credentials. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Unblocks EPL AbroadTested Nov 2024

Surfshark is the best VPN for anyone hoping to stream EPL matches on a budget. It has a very low impact on your connection speeds and lets you secure an unlimited number of devices at once. What’s more, this low-cost service even works with stubborn platforms like BBC iPlayer, Now TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

It boasts an impressive set of security tools too, from 256-bit encryption to leak protection, a kill switch, and automatic malware scanning. Surfshark even has a zero-logs policy in place, and just recently introduced support for the WireGuard protocol. If you run into any issues, support is available 24/7 over live chat and email.

Surfshark apps are available for iOS, Windows, Android, MacOS, and Linux. It’s also possible to manually install this VPN on supported wireless routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our top budget pick. Not only is it one of the fastest VPNs around, it works flawlessly with some of the UK’s most popular sports streaming platforms. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

Unblocks EPL AbroadTested Nov 2024

ExpressVPN has high-speed servers in six UK locations so it’s ideal for watching live content like EPL fixtures. Further, its streaming abilities are top-notch — it has no problems accessing services like Amazon Prime Video, BT Sport, or Now TV abroad.

ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption to keep your activities secure. It includes DNS leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and a kill switch that stops network traffic if the VPN is disconnected abruptly. This provider logs no identifiable data has a .onion version of its site and accepts Bitcoin payments, making it a strong choice for users who want to be as anonymous as possible.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick, and Android. It can be installed manually on certain wireless routers. Notably, this was upgraded recently, so users should notice improved speed and stability.

QUICK AND SECURE:ExpressVPN is a solid everyday option. Its fast servers and powerful security tools make it a reliable choice for watching the English Premier League matches abroad. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

Unblocks EPL abroadTested Nov 2024

CyberGhost has over 670 servers in the UK, and some of these are specifically designed for BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video. This user-friendly VPN has a very low impact on your connection speeds, too, so you should be able to stream English Premier League matches without interruption, from anywhere. Up to seven devices can be secured at the same time.

One of the best things about this service is that its security tools all come pre-configured. These include leak protection, a kill switch, an ad-blocker, and 256-bit encryption. A recent update even added WireGuard support, boosting CyberGhost’s security credentials even further. This provider doesn’t keep any logs that could identify you and offers around-the-clock support over live chat and email.

CyberGhost has apps for Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux, and Windows. Manual configuration is required for use with supported routers.

PERFECT FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost is a fast, user-friendly VPN that makes it easy to watch Premier League matches abroad. Not only that, but it offers strong security features and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

Unblocks EPL AbroadTested Nov 2024

IPVanish is a popular VPN provider for streaming thanks to its fast speeds, consistent connections, and extensive server coverage. There are roughly 100 servers to choose from in the UK and best of all, these were recently upgraded to provide even higher speeds. IPVanish has no connection limits, meaning users are free to secure all of their devices at the same time.

This VPN offers an impressive suite of security tools. For instance, there’s 256-bit encryption with both DNS and IPv6 leak protection enabled by default, plus a kill switch. Further, there are options to block all LAN traffic, reconnect automatically when the VPN’s connection is lost, and obfuscate OpenVPN traffic. This is a zero-logs provider so there’s no need to worry about anyone seeing what you do online.

IPVanish is available for Windows, Mac, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, and iOS. Linux systems and some routers are also supported but manual configuration is required.

FAST AND RELIABLE:IPVanish has lots of British servers and is capable of achieving good speeds. Strong security and privacy features. Secure every device you own. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

Unblocks EPL AbroadTested Nov 2024

PrivateVPN only has two British servers, but it offers higher speeds than many of its rivals. It’s also capable of securely accessing popular streaming platforms including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Sky Go, making it perfect for watching EPL live streams. Further, you can connect up to 10 devices at once, allowing you to view games on whichever device you prefer.

This service recently became its own server host and ISP, ensuring no other company has access to your data. Of course, that’s not the only way it keeps you safe; the apps include 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a true no-logs policy, plus a Stealth mode for bypassing country-wide censorship.

Apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. Manual setup is required for Linux and wireless routers.

GREAT SPEED:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Works with many popular UK streaming platforms and allows up to 10 devices on the same account. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. Hotspot Shield

Unblocks EPL AbroadTested Nov 2024

Hotspot Shield has clean, well-organized apps that make it extremely simple to protect yourself online. Not only that, but it works with a huge range of services including Netflix, BT Sport, and Now TV. Users can secure five of their devices at once, and with generally high speeds, nothing should come between you and your EPL live streams.

Despite its simplicity, Hotspot Shield provides a good degree of security. It uses 256-bit AES encryption, protects against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and automatically connects whenever you use an unsecured wireless network. There’s also a kill switch that blocks traffic when the connection to the VPN is lost, and newer versions have IKEv2 support as well. Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep any logs that could be traced back to you. Customer support is on-hand 24/7 over live chat.

Hotspot Shield offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It can be manually installed on supported network routers.

WATCH EPL ABROAD:Hotspot Shield boasts impressive speeds, great streaming ability, and a solid set of security tools, so it’s a great choice for almost any task, not just streaming EPL matches. It even has a 45-day money-back guarantee!

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for streaming the EPL online

Finding a VPN that works reliably for EPL streaming is remarkably difficult. There are a few reasons for this with a lack of suitable UK servers, unreliable speeds, and poor unblocking abilities chief among them. To ensure we only recommend the best of the best, we paid particularly close attention to the following areas:

• British servers: Our recommendations have to have reliable servers in the UK, or you won’t be able to securely access UK-only streaming services while abroad.
• Speeds: Slow speeds can lead to laggy, stuttering streams — not what you want when trying to watch an important match. We regularly speed-test the VPNs we recommend.
• Streaming services: EPL fixtures are shown on BT Sport, Sky Sports, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. As such, we needed VPNs that work well with all of these platforms.
• Ease of use: Online security shouldn’t be something available just to tech experts. That’s why we only recommend VPNs that are easy enough for complete beginners to use.
• Value for money: We compare each service to similarly-priced rivals. If it charges more than it’s worth, it simply doesn’t make the cut.
• Security: At a minimum, the VPNs above must have 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy. That said, our favorites are the services that go above and beyond this.

Can I use a free VPN to watch the English Premier League?

Free VPNs can be attractive at first glance but we advise against using them for several reasons. Because free VPNs often have fewer servers and more users than the VPNs above, you’re likely to experience slow speeds and disconnections. There may be queues for individual servers and data caps, depending on the provider. Live streams require decent connection speeds and as such, a free VPN is unlikely to suit your needs.

This isn’t mere speculation. In the past, we’ve seen free VPN services mislead their users about the logs they keep, infect systems with malware, and even sell their users’ bandwidth without their knowledge. To prevent any of this and keep your private information safe, we recommend using a reputable VPN with clearly defined logging and privacy policies.

Can I watch Premier League games for free?

Unfortunately, not legally. Unlicensed streams have become such a problem that the EPL got an injunction requiring British ISPs to block access to these streams as soon as they’re reported. This means that even if you manage to locate an unlicensed stream, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to watch the entire game.

While this does mean you’ll probably have to pay to watch EPL matches, most sports streaming platforms offer low-cost daily, weekly, or monthly passes. By paying to watch, you’re helping to ensure that the players, club staff, and broadcasters are able to continue making this content possible.

Where can I watch EPL matches?

EPL games are available on different streaming services depending on which country you’re in. Some services only have partial broadcasting rights, so to make things easier we’ve listed some sources where you can watch every single game. If your country isn’t included, you can find the official broadcaster for your region here.

• UK: Sky Sports, BT Sport, Now TV (with a Sky Sports Pass), Amazon Prime Video, highlights available on BBC Sport
• USA: ESPN+
• Canada: TSN, RDS
• Australia: beIN Sports, Kayo

It’s worth noting that games with a kickoff time between 2:45 pm and 5:15 pm aren’t broadcast in the UK. This measure is intended to increase match attendance but unfortunately means more than half of the Premier League games won’t be shown. If you want to view every game, a UK site might not be the best choice.

The sites listed above may be accessible from a different country using a VPN. That said, if paying with a credit or debit card, there could be the issue of an out-of-country billing address. For instance, Now TV checks the address associated with credit cards to ensure users live within the UK. If a particular service accepts payment through an online wallet like PayPal, however, and no equipment (TV boxes, etc) is required, there likely won’t be any issues.

How many teams are in the English Premier League?

There are 20 teams in the English Premier League with the bottom three teams relegated to the Championship at the end of every season. They’re replaced by three promoted Championship teams — those that finish first and second in the automatic spots and a third team which is the winner of the playoffs. Some 50 clubs have played in the Premier League in total and six clubs have always been in it since its formation (Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham).

What does the Premier League schedule look like?

You can find a complete list of English Premier League games on the official site. You should note that the times given are correct for the UK, but due to the clocks going forward an hour, working out what time they’ll be airing in your country might not be as straightforward as you might think.

To simplify things, we’ve made an EPL cheat sheet for the US, Canada, and Australia.