How to Watch College Football Playoff Championships (2024)

The College Football Playoff is on, and I'm excited to see the teams battle it out for the national championship. While ESPN has exclusive broadcasting rights, it’s also available on streaming sites like Hulu. You can even watch games for free on certain services.

For the best experience, though, I recommend watching the College Football playoff with a VPN. It helps you avoid slowdowns due to ISP throttling and ensures your activity remains private from marketers and snoopers while watching football games online and on public WiFi.

While you could also technically use a VPN to watch the College Football Playoffs from anywhere, this violates the T&Cs of content providers and may constitute copyright infringement, so I don’t support this.

That said, after some serious research, I found the best VPN for watching the College Football Playoff National Championship from the US. ExpressVPN is my top pick because it delivers impressive speeds and security, allowing you to watch the College Football Playoff Championship in UHD smoothly and safely. 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 for Watching the College Football Playoff National Championship

1. ExpressVPN — Fast Servers to Live-Stream NCAA Championships Uninterrupted

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Tested October 2024

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

Consistently fast speeds make ExpressVPN ideal for streaming college football in UHD without buffering. During my tests from the US, my average download speed clocked at 117.4 Mbps using ExpressVPN’s Smart Location feature — automatically picking the fastest server. That’s only 6% slower than my baseline connection. Watching the playoffs with a free trial of YouTube TV, I could see every detail.

NCAA football playoff games loaded in just 3 seconds from my US location

Apps are user-friendly and look similar across devices — from PCs to smartphones. Its MediaStreamer feature simplifies the process of watching the College Football Playoff Championships on devices that typically don't support VPN applications, like gaming consoles. It doesn't encrypt your traffic and might provide even faster speeds. I set it up and streamed football games on my older LG TV within 5 minutes.

ExpressVPN also has you covered for streaming on the big screen with native Android and Apple TV apps. Simply go to the relevant app store on your TV, search for the VPN's name, and click to install; that's it. If your TV is older, use MediaStreamer or connect your router with ExpressVPN.

The only trade-off is that ExpressVPN is slightly pricier, with plans starting at $6.67/month. However, you can get significant savings of up to 48% if you sign up long-term. All its plans are also supported by a 30-day refund policy. You can stream the college football playoff championships risk-free and get your money back if you’re not 100% happy.

Useful Features

• App shortcuts. Add a shortcut to your ESPN streaming service to ExpressVPN’s home screen. This lets you connect to a nearby server and start watching in just 2 clicks.
• Robust security. ExpressVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption and follows a proven no-logs policy. Your data remains safe and private while streaming online.
• 24/7 Live chat support. In the unlikely event of connection issues on game day, you can resolve them quickly. ExpressVPN’s support team replied to me almost immediately and was very helpful.
• Split tunneling. You can choose which traffic passes through the VPN tunnel. By splitting your traffic, you use less bandwidth altogether, and your streaming connection may speed up more.

2. CyberGhost — Servers Optimized For Smooth Streaming of College Football Playoffs

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost's specialized servers make streaming college football championship games from the US easy. I found options for ESPN, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and many platforms offering free trials. It takes only seconds to connect to such a server. Expand the app, select For Streaming, type 'US' into the search bar, and click your preferred services listed.

Clicking the star next to the server for your streaming service to favorite it

With CyberGhost’s great speeds, I could watch live football playoffs in HD without buffering. My speed dropped by only 8% while testing the CyberGhost Sling TV streaming server from the US. Although ExpressVPN speed was slightly faster, I experienced no delays and could watch games in picture-perfect quality.

Its Block Content feature removed all banner ads and pop-ups while streaming from my browser. It also blocks domains that have malware embedded, keeping your data protected from hackers. That means you can watch college football playoff games without worry or distractions.

One small downside is that CyberGhost’s monthly plan only has a 14-day refund period. This won’t give you as much time to test it. However, its long-term plans start at just $2.19/month and have a 45-day money-back guarantee. It’s hassle-free to get a refund using 24/7 live chat support.

Useful Features

• Smart rules. These let you automate the VPN for specific WiFi networks or apps. I set a rule to connect to a New York server when I open YouTube TV to stream playoffs in the US without manually starting the VPN every time.
• Best server location. CyberGhost can automatically choose the best server based on your network conditions and US location. This delivers a fast, reliable connection to stream college football wherever you are in the US.
• IP leak protection. ExpressVPN doesn’t leak your DNS or IP addresses, so you never have to worry about your identity being exposed, even if you stream the playoffs using public WiFi. There’s also a kill switch to protect your data privacy on unstable networks.

3. PIA — Reliable Server Network With Locations in All US States

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

With plenty of servers throughout the US, you won't have a problem finding one close by for an optimum connection. Having so many servers also reduces the likelihood of overload, which can cause delays and buffering. This is crucial for streaming live college football without missing a second of the action. My average download speed was reduced by only 9% during testing.

The drop-down menu shows latency, so it's easy to pick the fastest server

If you’re new to VPNs, PIA may not be the best option, as it can initially seem overwhelming with so many customization options. However, I like its drag-and-drop desktop interface for creating my desired layout. If you aren’t very technical, you won’t have to change any settings to start streaming since it comes preconfigured. There’s also 24/7 live chat support if you need help.

PIA is affordable, with discounts of up to 82% on longer subscriptions. I paid only $2.19/month. Plus, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, there's no risk in trying it out for the playoff season.

Useful Features

• Customizable encryption. I usually use OpenVPN with 128-bit encryption or the WireGuard for the fastest speeds. This way, I don’t miss one touchdown of any college football playoff games.
• Advanced kill switch. PIA’s kill switch can work even if the VPN app isn’t running. In my tests, it prevented me from watching over public WiFi without the VPN and prevented my data from being exposed.
• PIA MACE. This ad, malware, and tracker blocker eliminates distracting and potentially harmful content. During my tests, this resulted in slightly smoother streaming by reducing unnecessary bandwidth usage by background trackers.

Tips on Choosing the Best VPN to Watch the College Football Playoffs

I used the below criteria to determine the best VPNs for streaming college football playoffs from the US. All the VPNs I listed offer exceptional speeds, are easy-to-use, and work with major sports platforms. You can use these testing criteria to put them through the ringer yourself.

• Works with US broadcasters. To watch local broadcasts securely from the US, you need a VPN with servers in the country. Choose a VPN with servers in your specific state or region to avoid blackouts. You can find this information on a VPN's website.
• A large US network. This ensures more options for finding a stable and fast connection near you. It also reduces the risk of overloaded servers during popular games and peak internet times.
• Fast speeds. Speed is key to streaming live sports without buffering. I tested each VPN to ensure they deliver high-quality live streams.
• Device compatibility. You might want to watch games on different devices. The best VPNs offer broad compatibility with various operating systems. I checked compatibility with PCs, smartphones, tablets, routers, and Smart TVs.
• Value for money. A good VPN should offer a balance between features and price. Consider what you're getting for your money, such as the number of devices supported, servers, and additional features.
• Customer support. Reliable customer support is essential for troubleshooting issues quickly. I evaluated the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support teams, and my top picks all have 24/7 live chat.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. This allows you to test the VPN risk-free, so you can confidently test it during the football season. Check the terms of use and look for any fine print.

Where Can I Watch the College Football Playoff National Championship Online

ESPN has exclusive rights to broadcast all College Football Playoff games on its channels, and it's the only broadcaster to air live games directly. However, platforms like CBS, Fox Sports (FS1), Big Ten Networks, the SEC Network, ABC, NBC Sports, and Pac-12 Network will show some regular season college football games or other bowl games that are not part of the CFP.

ESPN+ carries over 500 FBS games, including SEC, Big 12, ACC, CUSA, MAC, Sun Belt, and FCS. ESPNU is also the only channel broadcasting the official NCAA college football playoffs selection show.

However, streaming services like Sling TV, Hulu, and YouTube TV have made deals to make ESPN content available to their subscribers. You can watch the College Football Playoff Championship on:

Most of these platforms are exclusive to the US. If you don’t have an American IP address, you won't be able to watch.

Sling TV does not allow viewers from other countries due to licensing restrictions

Note: While VPNs can give you a US IP regardless of your true location, using a VPN to circumvent geoblocks is against the terms and conditions of nearly all streaming platforms. It may even be seen by the law as copyright infringement.

FAQs on Watching the College Football Playoff National Championship With a VPN

Can I watch the NCAA college football playoffs for free?

Yes, you can watch the playoffs for free for a short while. Some platforms, like Fobu, YouTube TV, and DIRECTV, offer a free trial. However, you can't watch all NCAA college football games with these short trial periods and will need to subscribe.

Are free VPNs good for streaming sports?

No, nearly all free VPNs have restrictions that will significantly impact your streaming experience. For example, your speed and bandwidth will likely be capped. A premium, low-cost VPN with a money-back guarantee is a better alternative. They provide fast speeds and reliable servers ideal for securely streaming sports in UHD.

Some free VPNs are unsafe. At best, they lack proper security features and privacy policies. At worst, they infect your device with malware or sell your data.

Will a VPN slow down my speed?

Technically yes, but the difference in speed may not be noticeable. Your internet traffic is going through an additional tunnel when you use a VPN, which causes a natural slowdown. However, the VPNs on this list are all fast enough to stream live college football playoff games without buffering.

How does the NCAA college football playoffs schedule work?

The playoffs recently took on an expanded format involving 12 teams and 11 games. Like all college football playoff games in previous seasons, these games will be exclusively broadcast on ESPN, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNEWS, and ESPNU.

It starts with the on-campus First Round involving the teams seeded #5 to #12 in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The four winning teams, plus the #1 to #4 seeded teams, will then compete in the Quarterfinals. The First Round takes place on the second-last Friday and Saturday in December, and the Quarterfinals on the 31st December and 1st January.

The Quarterfinals now consist of four of the traditional New Year’s six bowls: the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Orange Bowl. The Semi-finals are held a week later on the next Thursday (Fiesta Bowl) and Friday (Peach Bowl). The CFP National Championship finals take place exactly 10 days later.

Are more VPN server connections better for streaming?

If you're using a premium service, most any server in the US will allow you to watch safely from within the country. However, by having a large choice of US servers, you can change servers easily if one isn't working for some reason. On the other hand, more servers mean less chance of overcrowding. That’s why having more server options is better for watching live playoff games.

Watch the College Football Playoff National Championship in Minutes

You don’t strictly need a VPN to stream the playoffs from the US. However, a VPN enhances online privacy and security without negatively impacting your speed. All the VPNs listed also help prevent ISP speed throttling, which can be crucial for maintaining high-quality streaming without interruptions, particularly live games.

I like ExpressVPN's speed, number of US servers, and excellent device compatibility. There's no risk in trying ExpressVPN, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs to watch the College Football Playoff Championships Online...

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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