The best VPN for streaming sport
Overview
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Table of Contents
Sport dominates the lives of millions of people around the world, and fortunately most of it is available to watch on one platform or another. That is unless you are abroad.
If you are travelling, you might find yourself blocked by your favourite streaming platforms. If you want to keep up to speed with all the action when abroad, you need to invest in a VPN. A VPN relocates your IP address back home and bypasses those pesky geographical restrictions. This means that you don't need to put your security at risk with some sketchy stream that regularly cuts out and fills your screen with risqué adverts.
What is a VPN?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide protection for your data and identity when you're online by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. This means that all of your activity is untraceable and secure. Try thinking about VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.
Can you use free VPNs for streaming sport?
Yes, there are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs out there, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. Alternatively, you can pay for a VPN. So which option is best for you and your lifestyle?
You get what you pay for with VPNs. There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.
How do you watch sport with a VPN?
All you need to do is open your VPN of choice, connect to a secure server located back home, and enjoy undisturbed coverage of your preferred sport platform. It's that easy. The only difficult aspect is actually selecting a VPN service to use. That's because there are so many great services out there, offering different sets of features that will suit some users more than others.
What is the best VPN for sport?
A VPN could provide access to games that would usually be out of reach. We have made choosing a service as easy as possible. We have tracked down the best VPNs for speed, security, simplicity, and much more, so you can make an informed decision.
These are the best VPNs for watching sport in 2025.
ExpressVPN
Best For Speed
The Good & The Bad
- Fast connections
- Split tunnelling
- Money-back guarantee
- Customer support
- Pricey
Why We Like It
ExpressVPN is a little pricey. We want to get that out of the way first because other than that, ExpressVPN is a great service that you should all consider.
It offers impressive download speeds, strong security, and geographically diverse servers. It's also easy to use for beginners because there’s instant set-up across a range of devices and apps for Mac OS, Windows, Android, iOS, and Linux. If that is still a little too complicated, you can always fall back on the excellent customer support.
ExpressVPN boasts strong 256-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. The company offers a strict no logging policy, which means no tracking or storing of personal data, and any data is encrypted and hidden from all watchful eyes.
ExpressVPN is great for streaming sport thanks to its unlimited bandwidth and no throttling supported on all of its servers. It's one of the fastest services on the market, making it the first choice for many sports fans.
Details
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Beginners
The Good & The Bad
- Attractive interface
- Fast
- Customer support
- Money-back guarantee
- Short plans are pricey
Why We Like It
It's fair to say that most people would want to invest in a VPN if they knew more details about what the services actually offer. The problem is that sometimes this can seem too complicated, and customers shy away.
CyberGhost VPN keeps things reassuringly simple, with an easy to use and uncluttered interface that uses simple language to explain all its features. It’s also quick and easy to set up, and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices. If all of that fails, you can always fall back on the chat support and troubleshooting guides.
Don't let the fact that it's a straightforward service trick you into thinking that it doesn't have a lot else going for it. Users have access to a decent number of servers across the globe and unlimited bandwidth and traffic, making CyberGhost ideal for streaming sport.
CyberGhost also uses AES-256 bit encryption and DNS and IP leak protection with a kill switch. This keeps you safe when you're watching the game, so you can focus on worrying about one thing at a time.
Details
NordVPN
Best For Security
The Good & The Bad
- Security features
- Logging policy
- Live chat support
- Simultaneous connections
- Not the fastest
Why We Like It
NordVPN is always one of the most popular VPNs around, and that's largely down to its strong security features.
If you choose to invest in NordVPN, you get access to absolutely loads of impressive security tools, like shared IP addresses, Next Generation Encryption, and Double VPN servers, which means your data is passed through two separate VPN servers instead of one.
NordVPN also doesn’t keep a log of your online activity, meaning your private data, online activity, and browsing history can’t be monitored, gathered, exposed, or intercepted by third parties. The service also boasts unlimited bandwidth for torrenting and a 24/7 live chat tool for support.
NordVPN is able to unblock geo-locked services, making it a popular choice for watching big sporting events, but all of these security features can result in a drop in connection speed. This is far from ideal if you are trying to stream the big game, but it comes down to what you value most. Speed or security?
Details
PureVPN
Best For App
The Good & The Bad
- Connection speeds
- Specialised servers
- Money-back guarantee
- Intuitive app
- Issues with logging policy (in the past)
Why We Like It
PureVPN is pretty much the best known VPN provider on the market, and that is largely down to the strong speeds, specialised servers, and general value for money that the service offers.
The list of useful features is long, and includes a bunch of security options, including the industry standard 256-bit encryption, advert and malware blocking, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. You also get to use split tunneling and WiFi VPN hotspots, that can really help when your connection slows.
There are even apps for Mac OS, Windows, Android, and iOS devices and PureVPN claims its product is easy to set up on games consoles and smart TVs. Basically, all of this combines to make your viewing experience as painless as possible, so you can enjoy all the action without pulling your hair out first.
Details
Surfshark
Best For Multiple Devices
The Good & The Bad
- No limit on simultaneous connections
- Intuitive app
- Multi-hop and split tunnelling tools
- Not the strongest connection speeds
Why We Like It
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.
Details
Topics Cybersecurity Streaming Sports
Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.
