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The best VPNs for watching NBA blackout games

Watch every single game from anywhere in the world.
Joseph Green
By Joseph Green 
The best VPNs for watching NBA blackout games Credit: Pexels
NordVPN
Best For Security
You can't go wrong with Nord. It's a well-known and reliable VPN that has over 5,000 servers worldwide and doesn't track your activity.
Pros & Cons
The Good
One of the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs Fast servers Can connect six devices Doesn't log activities
The Bad
It's expensive
The Bottomline
If you want a VPN that has a fast service and allows you to connect to multiple phones at once, try out NordVPN.
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Simplicity
CyberGhost makes staying protected on your Android device easy.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Great security features Easy to use with Android Generous money-back guarantee
The Bad
Speeds can drop
The Bottomline
CyberGhost VPN keeps things real simple, and focuses on strong security features.
Private Internet Access
Best For Server Network
Installs quickly and comes with loads of premium features for all types of users.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Encrypted WiFi Kill switch Number and spread of servers Range of apps
The Bad
Interface is dated Not the fastest
The Bottomline
List of features that should suit beginners and advanced users.
Surfshark
Best For Multiple Devices
Surfshark offers an impressive set of features with an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
Pros & Cons
The Good
No limit on simultaneous connections Intuitive app Multi-hop and split tunnelling tools
The Bad
Not the strongest connection speeds
The Bottomline
Surfshark ticks a lot of boxes for streaming sport and should be your top choice if you rely on a lot of tech.
> Tech

There is no better way to spend your free time than sitting back and watching your favourite sport, preferably surrounded by mountains of snacks and refreshments.

You simply can't escape sport these days, as every news channel, social media platform, and panel show constantly pumps out the latest highlights from all over the world. Global sport has never been easier to follow, which has resulted in a growing contingent of fans who follow sports and teams from other countries. We're all for following your passion, but this interest does cause an issue. What if your favourite sport is not readily available in your location?

It's all well and good checking in on your team from time to time online, or maybe watching the highlights from last night's game on YouTube, but this just isn't going to be enough for the most dedicated of fans. This group will need to watch games live, which can be tricky if you're based on the other side of the planet.

Whether you desperately want to follow the NBA, NFL, NHL, or some other three-letter acronym, there is a solution to your problem. No, we're not going to suggest that you try and find some dodgy stream that throws even dodgier ads your way. Instead, you should consider investing in a VPN.

Do you need a VPN to watch the NBA?

The NBA League Pass provides a solution for anyone who wants to watch their favourite teams live online. However, if you live in U.S. or Canada, NBA League Pass blackouts prevent you from watching certain live games.

The only way to get around these geo-restrictions is with a VPN. These security services encrypt all of your data, protect your identity, and hide your real IP address. By connecting to a server in a location with full access to the game you want to watch, you can trick NBA League Pass into thinking you are based in a location that isn't blocked. This is the same technique used by lots of VPN subscribers to access extra libraries of streaming sites like Netflix.

Also, you can find much cheaper subscription deals if you sign up from a server in another country. There are always new deals dropping, but at one point you could have saved 75% on an annual NBA League Pass subscription from India. It's quick and easy to switch your location to India with a VPN, meaning you could access the best deal in a matter of seconds.

It's important to point out that you will always need a subscription to the NBA League 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.

What are the most important VPN features for streaming sport?

The world of VPNs can be a complicated and frankly overwhelming place to be if you don't know what's going on. This is where we can help. We've researched everything you need to know about VPNs, and highlighted a selection of features that actually matter when it comes to streaming sport:

  • Bandwidth — The best VPNs do not place monthly caps on network bandwidth, but there are some cheap services that only let you download a certain amount of data. Obviously, you should avoid these services. You should only consider VPNs with unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream as much sport as you wish.
  • Connection speed — If there is one thing that completely ruins a sport streaming session, it's buffering. Every VPN is going to cause a drop in connection speed, but it shouldn't result in lag or buffering. Make sure you select a VPN with consistently strong connection speeds so that you can watch the NBA without interruptions.
  • Number of connections — This feature isn't the most important if you only ever use one device, but if you're in a large household with loads of devices, it's better to subscribe to a VPN with an unlimited number of multi-logins. This means you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same account, so everyone can watch their favourite sport at the same time. Not many VPNs offer unlimited connections, but most of the best services let you connect at least five devices simultaneously, which is probably enough for most people.
  • Server network — VPNs provide access to literally thousands of servers located all around the world, and it's these servers that grant you access to things like the NBA International League Pass. 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.

It's important to take all of this into consideration when selecting a VPN for streaming any sort of sport from around the world. The best strategy is to think through these important features, and weigh them against your own set of personal priorities. Then you should have a clearer idea about what really matters to you.

Should you use free VPNs?

Before we get into the best VPNs for watching the NBA, it's worth tackling to most common question when it comes to VPNs. Should you pay for a VPN, or try a free service?

There are plenty of free VPNs out there that offer a decent set of features, but these almost always have limits on data, server network, and connection speed, so if you want to stream freely, we really wouldn't recommend them.

The good news is that there are a lot of cheap plans on offer from the leading services, especially if you're willing to commit to long contract. The cheapest monthly rates are reserved for the longest contracts, so if you find a VPN that ticks all of your boxes, it might be worth signing up for a lengthy plan.

What is the best VPN for watching the NBA? 

There are a lot of VPNs that provide a user-friendly viewing experience for the NBA, but we know you're only interested in the very best. That's why we have lined up a selection of the best VPNs for streaming sport, including the best deals on popular services like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN.

There should be something for everyone and every budget on this list, so all you need to do is consider the options we have highlighted, and pick the service that suits you best.

These are the best VPNs for watching the NBA in 2024.

NordVPN

Best For Security

The good
One of the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs Fast servers Can connect six devices Doesn't log activities
The Bad
It's expensive
The Bottomline
If you want a VPN that has a fast service and allows you to connect to multiple phones at once, try out NordVPN.
Specs
  • Monthly: £10.39/month
  • One-year plan: £3.99/month
  • Two-year plan: £3.19/month

Read our full review of NordVPN.

NordVPN has a reputation for being amongst the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs out there. NordVPN has fast servers that are also not on any blacklists. You should be able to stream Hulu or Netlfix shows in several European countries without any issues. 

NordVPN says it offers over 5,000 servers worldwide. It lets you connect six devices at the same time, and it claims to keep no logs of your activities. INordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, with a wide range of advanced security features that combine to protect your data and identity.

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Simplicity

The good
Great security features Easy to use with Android Generous money-back guarantee
The Bad
Speeds can drop
The Bottomline
CyberGhost VPN keeps things real simple, and focuses on strong security features.
Specs
  • Monthly: £10.89/month
  • Six-month plan: £6.19/month
  • Two-year plan: £1.92/month

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Cyberghost VPN has a really simple interface with easy-to-understand terminology explaining all of its features. It keeps things easy and focuses on strong security features. It’s very fast to set up and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices. 

CyberGhost might be easy to use but that doesn't mean it's not on par with other options on this list. Users have access to 3,600 servers in over 60 locations around the world, with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. This makes for reliable streaming, but some users have said connections can be slower than with other VPN offerings. 

Private Internet Access

Best For Server Network

The good
Encrypted WiFi Kill switch Number and spread of servers Range of apps
The Bad
Interface is dated Not the fastest
The Bottomline
List of features that should suit beginners and advanced users.
Specs
  • Monthly: £10.99/month
  • Six-month plan: £5.39/month
  • Two-year plan: £1.69/month

Private Internet Access (PIA) installs quickly and comes with loads of impressive features for all types of users, no matter if you're a beginner or an advanced user who likes fiddling around with settings.

You get your standard secure VPN account, encrypted WiFi, P2P, IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, plus a whole lot more. PIA isn't a particularly sexy app, but what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for with a long list of features. It also has a solid backbone, with thousands of servers in countries all around the world.

It's also relatively speedy. We noticed our "naked" download and upload speeds dropped by only about a half or two-thirds (common for most VPNs). It may not be the fastest VPN around, but it's definitely not the slowest, either. 

PIA has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and an extension for Chrome.

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

The good
No limit on simultaneous connections Intuitive app Multi-hop and split tunnelling tools
The Bad
Not the strongest connection speeds
The Bottomline
Surfshark ticks a lot of boxes for streaming sport and should be your top choice if you rely on a lot of tech.
Specs
  • Monthly: £9.90/month
  • One-year plan: £3.05/month
  • Two-year plan: £1.76/month

Surfshark is probably the best VPN for anyone who relies on a lot of tech, as you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan. This also makes it something to seriously consider if there is a lot of people in your house looking to stream at the same time.

Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive features including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with an easy to use and stylish interface making it a strong choice for total beginners.

Surfshark is not the cheapest provider, but if you're willing to commit to a longer contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply.

Topics: Tech, Cameras, VPN (Virtual Private Networks), ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost VPN

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