How to Watch ESPN3 Live in HD Without Cable in 2024

ESPN3 offers exclusive broadcasts and camera angles of sporting events that you can watch online through cord-cutting services like Hulu or FuboTV. But the sad news is, most of the platforms that carry ESPN3 are only available in the US (i.e. you need a US IP address).

In theory, a VPN (virtual private network) can help you get an IP address from a US state, so you can watch live sports on ESPN3 online. But this goes against the terms and conditions of most of the streaming services that show ESPN3. So you could lose your account or even infringe on copyright laws. That said, VPNs can make live streaming easier in other ways.

If you choose a VPN with fast speeds, it can be really helpful for watching ESPN3 in HD even if your internet service provider tends to throttle your speeds. That’s because VPNs hide everything you do online (so your ISP can’t see that you’re streaming). For this, ExpressVPN is the best for watching ESPN3 in HD. It has the fastest speeds I’ve tested and its 30-day money back guarantee means testing ExpressVPN is risk-free. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Best VPNs to Watch ESPN3 Live Online in HD in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Lightning-Fast to Watch ESPN3 Buffer-Free in HD

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Tested December 2024

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www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN is my top choice. Its lightning-fast speeds allowed me to watch ESPN3 live sporting events and videos in HD without any problem. Other VPNs were so slow on interstate servers that the videos buffered a lot.

The second great thing about ExpressVPN is that it has 24 US-based servers. And because it offers city-level server selection, it’s easier for you to pinpoint the closest US city to get the best speeds for streaming ESPN3. From the US, I tested dozens of ExpressVPN’s US servers, and they worked perfectly. I never experienced any connection blackouts or speed drops, even on the state servers that were a bit further away from me.

ExpressVPN’s very own Lightway Protocol lets you connect to a server faster. Lightway is a next-generation protocol that is fast, reliable, secure, and doesn’t use as many resources. As a result, switching between servers happens in a split second.

While ExpressVPN is the best out there, it is pricier than most VPNs, with subscriptions starting at $4.99/month. Thankfully, I got a good deal when I signed up because it offered 61% off.

ExpressVPN has several plans with the same features that vary only on the subscription length. However, when you sign up for the longer ones, the price will be in the same range as other VPNs.

What’s great about ExpressVPN is that it stays true to its no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee. I sent a message through the live chat saying I wanted a refund. While other services force me to troubleshoot and exhaust all means, ExpressVPN did none of that. The customer representative processed my request, and I got my money back within 5 days.

2. CyberGhost — Streaming Optimized Servers to Easily Watch ESPN3

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www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost has an extensive server network that includes optimized servers specifically for ESPN3 streamers. These servers are regularly tested to make sure they work with services like Hulu, YouTube TV, and Sling TV. I connected to a streaming-optimized server immediately by typing the word “Sling” in the search bar of the For streaming tab within the app.

It has a total of 11,690 servers in 100 countries, of which 11 are in the US. With that many servers in the US alone, it’s easy to find one in or near your state for getting the fastest speeds with your streaming accounts. I tested several of CyberGhost’s US servers and never had any problem watching ESPN3 from the US.

CyberGhost doesn’t have speed caps, making it perfect for streaming ESPN3 shows and games in HD. I watched NFL PrimeTime without annoying buffering issues.

It is an excellent VPN service, but it has a minor con: its short-term plans are slightly more expensive and come with a shorter money-back guarantee. However, CyberGhost’s longer-term plans are reasonably priced and come with a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is more than the industry standard.

It has different pricing tiers that vary based on the length of the subscription. Prices start at $2.19/month.

When it comes to getting a refund from CyberGhost, you're in luck — the process is quick and easy. All you need to do is contact the 24/7 live chat team and request a refund. The representative I chatted with processed my refund quickly, without any questions. Its support team told me the money would be in my account in 5–10 business days, but I got it even earlier than promised.

3. IPVanish — Simple App to Start Watching ESPN3 Quickly

Available on:

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Try IPVanish VPN >

www.ipvanish.com

IPVanish’s VPN app has an excellent user interface that anyone can operate easily. It is beginner-friendly — I could connect to a US server with just a few clicks. By default, the app organizes the servers by location, but you can sort the list by favorites, so a few are always on top.

Due to the rapid speeds of IPVanish, I was capable of viewing game replays without any delays. Although ExpressVPN takes the lead in terms of speed, IPVanish is sufficiently efficient for uninterrupted marathon viewing.

Another great benefit of using IPVanish is that it has a large number of servers, with 20 of them in the US. With this number of servers in the US, you're guaranteed to have a backup server if one doesn't work. But in my experience, I never had to try more than 2 servers.

While IPVanish does have great features, it does have one minor flaw — it doesn't work with all streaming services. Thankfully, when I tested IPVanish, I was able to watch ESPN3 without issues.

IPVanish offers different packages. The first plan includes the VPN alone and costs $2.19/month per month when paid annually. The second plan offers VPN plus encrypted cloud backup. I subscribed to the first plan because I didn't need the backup feature. And I didn’t hesitate to sign up as IPVanish was offering a 83% discount at that time.

IPVanish has a 30-day money-back guarantee. To qualify for a refund, you must: 1) be a new subscriber, 2) have a yearly plan, and 3) cancel before the last day of your subscription. I went directly to its website to cancel my account, and it processed my refund within 3 business days. I didn't even have to contact the support team for help.

Where Can I Watch ESPN3 Online?

You can watch ESPN3 via several cord-cutting services, which all carry both live and on-demand sports content. The listed services are available via your browser or apps for devices like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Xbox One.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV offers over 75 platforms, including ESPN3, ABC, and NBC. Just like ESPN’s app, you can use Hulu on various devices, including Apple, Android, Amazon, PlayStation, Xbox, Roku, and more. You can also use the same account to stream on 2 devices simultaneously.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is YouTube's paid-for service that offers more than 85 channels, including ESPN3. With YouTube TV, you can record games for later viewing with no storage limitations, and you can share the account with up to 5 other members of your household. You can try YouTube TV with its free trial to test it out.

fuboTV

You can watch ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3's live sporting events in 4K if you subscribe to fuboTV. It provides access to several other sports channels, including Root Sports, NBA League Pass, and FS1. Your subscription will also allow you to watch on 3 devices simultaneously. Finally, it also comes with 250 hours' worth of DVR cloud storage for recording shows.

Sling TV

Sling TV is the most affordable way to watch ESPN3 shows if you don't have cable. You can get the Sling Orange package, including ESPN3, ESPN, HGTV, AMC, A&E, and more. Sling TV does not require a contract, so you can subscribe as needed. You can also record up to 50 hours.

Vidgo

Vidgo offers its users access to over 95 channels, including ESPN3. You can watch shows on Vidgo on iOS, Android, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV.

Note that most of these services are only available in the US. While it’s theoretically possible to use a VPN to watch them from elsewhere, this will most likely go against their ts & Cs. At worst, it could constitute copyright infringement. It’s best to just use a VPN to watch these services in HD from within the US.

FAQs on Watching ESPN3 With a VPN

Can I watch ESPN3 for free?

No, you cannot watch ESPN3 for free. You can subscribe to a TV provider that includes ESPN3 in its plan or subscribe to one of the many streaming services that offer ESPN3 as part of their package. These services are Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Vidgo.

If you're looking for a more affordable way to watch ESPN3 without cable, Sling TV’s Orange Package is your best bet.

How do I bypass ESPN3’s live blackouts?

You can’t without breaking broadcast regulations. Theoretically, you can use a VPN to connect to a different state where the event you want to watch isn’t blacked out. But this can amount to copyright infringement or violate the ts & cs of your ESPN3 streamer. The best VPNs can help you watch ESPN3 in HD though.

Can I watch ESPN3 outside the US?

ESPN3 is restricted not only outside the US but often even in some parts of the US due to blackouts. It’s possible to use a VPN to watch ESPN3 but it’s not recommended as it can break copyright laws. VPNs are best used for HD streaming or online privacy.

How can I watch ESPN3 without a TV provider?

ESPN3 is not a channel, it's a streaming service included in a package of either TV providers or other streaming platforms.

You need to subscribe to any streaming service that offers ESPN3 as part of its package. These services are Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Vidgo.

How much does it cost to stream ESPN3?

ESPN3 is not a standalone channel; instead, it is part of a package of other TV providers or streaming sites. In that case, the price depends on whether you're streaming from Vidgo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or some other provider. The cost depends on the service that you use to watch ESPN3.

For example, if your TV provider includes ESPN3 in its package, you won’t have to pay for anything extra. If your TV provider does not provide ESPN3, you would have to subscribe to a streaming service that offers ESPN3 first.

Start Watching ESPN3 in HD Now

ISP speed throttling can really ruin live sports action on ESPN3. But, with a VPN, you can watch ESPN3 in HD even during peak hours. Any of the VPNs on this list can get you fast speeds for streaming live and on-demand sports events in the US.

That said, ExpressVPN is the most reliable service for ESPN3. It performed the best in my tests, giving me the full HD-ready speeds you need for watching live streams. Plus, the 30-day money-back guarantee means there’s no risk in trying ExpressVPN for yourself. Just get a refund if you’re not completely happy.

To summarize, the best VPNs for watching ESPN3 in HD are…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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