How to watch NFL games live with a VPN
The NFL playoffs are here and every game is must-see TV in these “win or go home” matchups. Avoid Wi-Fi streaming blocks and live stream the NFL playoffs securely from anywhere with ExpressVPN.
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location that matches the broadcaster you want to watch. For example, American NFL fans can connect to a server location in the U.S., and watch the playoffs live on Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV with a free streaming trial.
- Touchdown!
Why you need a VPN to watch the NFL
Streaming live NFL games should be as smooth as a quarterback’s perfect spiral, but your internet provider might try to blitz your connection when it detects streaming activity. This can lead to frustrating lag and buffering—causing you to miss a game-changing play. A VPN acts as your offensive line, encrypting your connection and keeping your ISP from sacking your stream. That means you can stay locked in on every touchdown, field goal, and last-second Hail Mary without any interruptions.
In addition, a VPN helps you bypass streaming restrictions and access NFL games even on restricted networks, like the Wi-Fi at your school or office. It also secures your personal data by encrypting your internet traffic, ensuring your sensitive information stays safe from prying eyes.
ExpressVPN has streaming-optimized servers that work with streaming platforms that carry NFL games, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and the DAZN NFL Game Pass, so you can always watch the games securely, no matter where you are.
How to watch NFL games for free
Several streaming services will show NFL games (including the playoffs and Super Bowl) for free during the 2024-25 season.
Watch NFL games for free live on 7plus
Country: Australia
Games: Select games on Sunday, plus the playoffs and Super Bowl
Australia’s Seven network offers live streams of select games during the regular season and every NFL playoff game through the Super Bowl on its streaming platform 7plus. During the week, the channel also airs replays, highlights, on-demand shows, and other bonus content on its 7mate channel.
If 7plus is blocked on your school or office network, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the playoffs. ExpressVPN encrypts all your traffic, so the network can’t see which sites you’re visiting. This way, you can easily watch the NFL from anywhere.
Watch NFL games for free live on RTL Nitro
Countries: Austria and Germany
Games: Two games per week and the complete NFL postseason
In Germany and Austria, free-to-air channel RTL Nitro broadcasts a variety of NFL content, including all NFL playoff games and Super Bowl LIX. Fans can also enjoy a range of additional NFL programming, such as documentaries, highlight shows, and podcasts, offering a complete NFL experience beyond the live games.
Watch NFL games for free live on TVNZ+
Country: New Zealand
Games: Three NFL games per week and the complete NFL postseason
TVNZ+ will air up to three free games per week during the 2024 NFL season and every playoff game. New Zealanders watching at home or while traveling abroad can access TVNZ+ securely by simply connecting to an ExpressVPN server in New Zealand.
How to watch NFL games with free streaming trials
While the NFL playoffs are free to watch on TV, streaming them requires a cable TV or streaming platform subscription. The good news is that if you’re a new subscriber, you can get a free trial and access multiple games for free. If you don’t already have an account with any of them, you can get a new free trial for every weekend of the playoffs and the Super Bowl.
| Streaming service | Games | Free trial period |
| Hulu + Live TV | In-market games | 3 days |
| YouTube TV | Out-of-market games | Varies |
| Amazon Prime Video | Thursday Night Football | 30 days |
| Fubo | Monday Night Football | 7 days |
ExpressVPN has a global network of high-speed servers with locations in 18 U.S. cities. When you connect to a server where the NFL live stream is available, you can bypass any local restrictions, such as Wi-Fi streaming blocks at school or work.
How to watch NFL games without cable
Live stream every NFL game with the NFL Game Pass International
Countries: Worldwide, excluding the U.S.
Available Games: Every game
If you want to watch every NFL game live and on demand from outside the U.S., the NFL Game Pass International has everything you need. It provides live access to all NFL games, including preseason, regular season, and playoffs, as well as Super Bowl LIX. It also includes access to the NFL RedZone and NFL Network, so you can catch all the highlights, in-depth analysis, and behind-the-scenes content.
Watch every in-market NFL game with NFL+
Country: U.S.
Available Games: All in-market games, all playoff games
NFL+ allows you to watch in-market NFL games directly on your mobile device, tablet, or supported smart TV. This service includes all regular-season games for your local team as well as every playoff game. For on-demand replays and extra features, you’ll need an NFL+ Premium subscription.
Since access to in-market games is determined by your location, your IP address matters. If you’re traveling to a different state, NFL+ automatically updates your access based on your current location, so you can follow local games wherever you are. If you’re using ExpressVPN, just be sure to match your VPN server with your current location to avoid missing any of the action.
Watch out-of-market NFL games with NFL Sunday Ticket
Country: U.S.
Available Games: All out-of-market Sunday games, not including playoffs or Super Bowl
NFL Sunday Ticket is the ultimate way to watch out-of-market NFL games live during the regular season. Available exclusively on YouTube, it lets you catch every Sunday game that airs on FOX and CBS. However, it’s important to note that Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football are not included, nor are playoff games or the Super Bowl.
Stream NFL games live with Peacock
Country: U.S.
Available Games: Sunday Night Football, select playoff games
If you’re looking for a simple way to watch Sunday Night Football without cable, Peacock is a great option. The streaming platform carries NBC’s exclusive Sunday night broadcasts, including playoff games and Super Bowl LIX. In addition to live games, Peacock also offers access to exclusive NFL shows, interviews, and analysis, making it a must-have for dedicated football fans.
Watch Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime
Country: U.S.
Available Games: Thursday Night Football
Amazon Prime is the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football, making it a key platform for NFL fans. Subscribers can watch these games live each week throughout the regular season. Occasionally, Amazon Prime also offers exclusive NFL games that are not available on any other platform.
If your connection slows down whenever you press play on a game, it could be your internet provider targeting your activity. Don’t let ISP throttling ruin your streaming experience. ExpressVPN encrypts your internet traffic so your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online, meaning you can stream the game smoothly without interference.
How to watch the NFL in Canada
There are different ways to watch the NFL in Canada depending on which games you want to watch. CTV has select games on Sundays and TSN carries the prime time night games. However, if you want to watch a specific team, you’ll need a DAZN account, which comes with the NFL Game Pass.
| Platform | Games |
| DAZN | Every NFL Game |
| TSN | Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football |
| CTV | Sunday afternoon games |
| RDS | French language broadcast of Sunday afternoon and primetime games |
How to watch the NFL in Mexico
If you want a single platform to live stream the NFL in Mexico, your best option is the NFL Game Pass. However, if you have cable, there are several channels that broadcast the NFL.
| Platform | Games |
| DAZN NFL Game Pass | Every NFL Game |
| ESPN | Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Playoffs, and Super Bowl |
| Fox Sports | Sunday afternoon games, Thursday Night Football, Playoffs, and Super Bowl |
| Sky | Sunday Ticket |
How to watch the NFL in Europe
No matter where you are in Europe, you can follow everything from the NFL draft through to the Super Bowl on the NFL Game Pass. Additionally, you can stream the games via local broadcasts in certain countries.
Here are some of the top choices:
| Country | Platform |
| UK | Sky Sports, NOW, My 5 |
| France | beIN Sports, M6 |
| Germany | RTL, DAZN |
| Spain | Movistar |
How to watch the NFL in India
You can live stream the NFL in India with the DAZN NFL Game Pass. This streaming service gives you access to every NFL game live and on demand, including preseason, regular season, playoffs, and the Super Bowl. You’ll also get access to NFL RedZone and NFL Network, providing in-depth coverage, analysis, and highlights.
The best VPN for watching the NFL Playoffs
If you’re looking for the best VPN to watch the NFL Playoffs, ExpressVPN is the top choice. With a combination of speed, reliability, and security, ExpressVPN ensures you won’t miss a single play.
- Global Server Network
ExpressVPN’s extensive server network spans 105 countries, giving you secure access to NFL Playoffs streams from virtually anywhere in the world. - Streaming Compatibility
ExpressVPN works seamlessly with popular streaming platforms like Peacock, Amazon Prime, and YouTube, ensuring you can access live NFL Playoff coverage securely no matter where you are. - Ultra-Fast Speeds
No one wants to deal with buffering during the playoffs. ExpressVPN’s ultra-fast servers deliver high-speed streaming, so you can enjoy every moment in HD or UHD without lag or interruptions. - Apps for Major Devices
Watch the NFL Playoffs on the device of your choice. ExpressVPN offers easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, smart TVs, routers, and more. - 24/7 Customer Support
ExpressVPN’s 24/7 customer support is always available to ensure you’re ready for kickoff. You can reach out via live chat or email any time, day or night. - 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Try ExpressVPN for 30 days completely risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, you’ll get a full refund—no questions asked.
FAQ: About watching the NFL
Can I use a VPN to watch the NFL from another country?
Some users might watch the NFL by connecting to a VPN server in a country other than their own, but doing so may violate copyright or the streaming service’s terms of use. ExpressVPN is a privacy and security tool, and using it to circumvent copyright is against our Terms of Service. We cannot see or control what you do while connected to our VPN, so you are responsible for ensuring that your use complies with all relevant terms and laws.
Should I use a free VPN to watch NFL games?
Free VPNs aren’t typically built for streaming and can’t usually access streaming platforms. ExpressVPN works effortlessly with top streaming services, has servers in 105 countries, including in 18 U.S. cities, and offers ultra-fast speeds for smooth, uninterrupted NFL streaming. Try it risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Can I watch the NFL Playoffs on Amazon?
The NFL announced that one of the wild card round playoff games will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. If you’re in a team’s local TV market and the game is blacked out on Prime Video, you can watch the action on either FOX or CBS.
Can I watch the NFL Playoffs on Paramount Plus?
Yes. All NFL playoff games televised on CBS will be available for live streaming on Paramount Plus.
How do I watch the NFL for free?
Outside the U.S., there are several broadcasters offering NFL streams for free. These include 7plus in Australia, RTL and Nitro in Germany, and TVNZ+ in New Zealand. There is no long-term solution for streaming NFL games for free in the U.S.—the best you can do is sign up for a new account with YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream to take advantage of each platform’s free trial period.
What is the best NFL streaming service?
YouTube TV is the best NFL streaming service in the U.S. In addition to being the exclusive home of the Sunday Ticket for all out-of-market games, you can also get the RedZone channel, CBS, FOX, and NBC, giving you access to every televised game.
For football fans outside the U.S., the DAZN Game Pass International is your best choice. You get every game, live and on-demand, with no blackout restrictions.
Does Hulu have all NFL games?
Hulu with the Live TV add-on will give you access to all in-market games on FOX and CBS, plus Sunday Night Football on NBC and Monday Night Football on ESPN. However, it doesn’t offer out-of-market games or Thursday Night Football, which airs exclusively on Prime Video.
Does the NFL Plus have every game?
Yes and no. While every game is technically available on NFL+, you can only access the in-market games. Everything else is blacked out and unavailable to you.
