How to Watch NBC Sports Live from Anywhere in 2019
From the latest Premier League games to in-depth NASCAR, NFL, NHL, and golf coverage, NBC Sports has it all – at least, for American viewers.
For everyone else, a VPN will give you a US IP address, but you still won’t be able to watch NBC Sports live streams without a US cable TV or streaming provider subscription. And subscribing to the US streaming services that include NBC Sports, such as Sling TV Blue and Hulu with Live TV, is no easy task if you don’t have an American credit card.
Fortunately, we have discovered a way to use a VPN to gain access to Sling TV so you can watch NBC Sports from anywhere in the world, even if you don’t have a US credit card. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
How to Watch NBC Sports Live: Quick Guide
Based on whether you already have a US TV subscription, choose one of the easy step-by-step guides below to get started with NBC Sports.
If you already have a US cable/streaming/satellite TV subscription:
- Sign up with a VPN provider. (We’ve named a few of the best options below, including our first choice, Cyberghost VPN.)
- Download and launch the VPN app.
- Choose a US server location to access American websites.
- Go to the NBC Sports website and click on Watch or any live event shown.
- Click “Verify” and choose your provider from the list shown. (You may have to click the Full Provider List button for options like Hulu and Sling TV.)
- Enjoy the game!
If you don’t have a US cable/streaming/satellite TV subscription:
- Sign up with a VPN provider. (We’ll give you some tips on finding the best VPNs for NBC Sports streaming below, such as Cyberghost VPN.)
- Download and launch the VPN app.
- Choose a US server location to access American websites.
- If you don’t have an American credit card, go to MyGiftCardSupply.com and purchase a Sling TV gift card.
- Navigate to the Sling TV website to redeem your gift card and/or sign up for the service.
- Go to the NBC Sports website and click on Watch or any live event shown.
- Click “Verify” and choose your provider from the list shown. (You will have to click the Full Provider List button for Sling TV.)
- Enjoy the game!
Why You Need a VPN to Watch NBC Sports Live
A virtual private network (VPN) is the best way to avoid geo-restrictions, but VPNs aren’t created equally. Like many US providers, NBC Sports aggressively protects its content, aiming to ensure that it’s solely available to US users. Platforms that stream NBC Sports go so far as to block IP addresses known to be used by VPNs, so it’s not enough to select just any VPN. You have to choose carefully to be sure you can get past the blocks.
Speedy US servers are a must to stream American content, with a greater number of VPN IP address options typically making it easier to bypass geoblocks. A larger server network often means you’ll get better speeds, along with the ability to get around any regional blackouts (yes, NBC Sports blocks content even within the US!) by switching to a different city. And of course, reliable connections are crucial for live sports – you don’t want to be left behind the action because of buffering!
Security and privacy are also important factors when choosing a VPN. A good provider will strongly encrypt your personal data and keep no logs of what you’ve been up to online. That means a top VPN is a great way to bypass government censorship and keep your data away from prying eyes.
A clear and simple refund policy protects you in case you run into any issues with the VPN, or if you just want to trial the service for a short time. Finally, subscription plans that allow for simultaneous connections on multiple devices will let you watch however you want.
The Best VPNs for Watching NBC Sports Live
1. CyberGhost
CyberGhost tops the list with multiple high-speed servers in the US, including many specifically designed with streaming in mind. The user interface is perfect for beginners and advanced users alike, as you can either choose from preconfigured profiles or tailor the service to suit your needs.
The CyberGhost refund policy is good for the first 45 days, and a 7-day free trial is available for most devices as well.
You’ll be able to use seven devices per account, and with 24/7 customer support available via live chat, you’ll never struggle alone if technical issues arise. Problems are extremely rare, however, which is one of the many reasons users agree that CyberGhost is a great choice.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is a well-respected provider with one of the largest global server arrays in the VPN business. A great pick if you’re interested in better online security, NordVPN has a simple and verified “no logs” policy and uses some of the toughest encryption available today.
You’re sure to find a server that’s perfect for NBC Sports, as you’ll be choosing from a generous 1,884 servers in American cities, including many optimized for streaming. It’s as simple as selecting your preference on the handy map, or you can let the app recommend the best server for your needs.
NordVPN plans are cheapest if you opt for a longer deal, and all subscriptions allow for six simultaneous device connections. The provider offers a 3-day free trial with full network access, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our review page to see what users and experts have to say about this exceptional VPN.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the best there is if you want to unblock content worldwide. With some of the fastest overall connection speeds available from any VPN, ExpressVPN is ideal for avoiding lag or freezing while watching live games.
In addition to NBC Sports, ExpressVPN reliably unblocks other popular streaming platforms like US Netflix and the BBC iPlayer, making it a user favorite. You can try out the impressive features of this VPN with a free trial for its mobile apps and a 30-day money-back guaranteed for all clients.
An ExpressVPN subscription allows for three simultaneous connections, and gives you access to one of the most responsive customer support teams in the industry. Answers to live chat inquiries come swiftly from knowledgeable, caring agents.
This is not the cheapest VPN you can find, but it is without doubt one of the most powerful.
4. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN has a smaller marketing budget than most big-name VPN providers, which makes their widespread and growing popularity all the more impressive. While the PrivateVPN network doesn’t have the most US servers, the ones it does have can be used to watch NBC sports with no issues, along with additional content like US Netflix and the BBC iPlayer.
PrivateVPN is also great for P2P sharing, and every plan allows users to connect up to six devices simultaneously. Rates are lowest if you go for a longer deal, but even a one-month plan is very affordable.
Receiving assistance from customer support takes longer with PrivateVPN than with our top three VPNs for NBC Sports, but user reviews show that most customers don’t see that as a significant issue. Try the service for yourself with the reassurance of a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield will also be able to handle your streaming needs, with a good mix of US servers available with the Hotspot Shield Elite paid plan. (The free version of this VPN is decent in its own right, but lacks the speed and range of server locations you’ll need for streaming live action on NBC Sports.)
The “Shield” promise is upheld with a combination of 128-bit and 256-bit encryption that completely hides all user data. Best of all, Hotspot Shield offers the longest money-back guarantee of any provider listed here, good for the first 45 days of service.
It’s no surprise that users around the world view Hotspot Shield as a great VPN.
6. IPVanish
IPVanish has no trouble unblocking NBC Sports streams, and offers over 400 servers that span the US from coast to coast. If you’ve got a large family, you’ll love the fact that IPVanish allows ten simultaneous connections on a single plan, as long as only one connection uses the PPTP or L2TP protocol.
You will need to make your decision about sticking with IPVanish quickly, as it only allows for refunds within the first seven days after signing up. And if you value your privacy above all else, you will want to know that it came to light in the past that IPVanish kept some user data despite promising a zero-logs policy.
However, if streaming is your sole priority, you can do quite well with IPVanish, as many users have found.
Summary
With one of the most comprehensive sports packages available in the US, NBC Sports is great for keeping up with all the games and drama of your favorite leagues, all in HD quality. And now that you know how to Watch NBC Sports Live from anywhere in the world, all that action will be yours, every day.
The best VPNs open up whole new worlds of content for you to discover, all while keeping you protected from cybercrime and government or ISP monitoring. Learning how to distinguish the reliable VPN services from the ones you shouldn’t trust takes time, however, which is why we’ve prepared a wide variety of expert guides to empower you to choose the best VPN for you.
