How To Watch Six Nations Rugby Online for Free in 2024

You can watch the Six Nations live for free on BBC iPlayer, RTÉ Player, and some other platforms. However, these streaming services are exclusive to their specific broadcasting countries. There are also a few paid platforms airing the event live, like Peacock.

A VPN makes it possible to access the 6 Nations in HD from anywhere securely. This useful app routers your data through its private server network, encrypting your connection and replacing your IP address. So you can stream rugby matches online without worrying about hackers stealing your personal information or your ISP throttling your speed.

After my team and I tested 47 VPNs, I found ExpressVPN the best option for streaming the Six Nations uninterrupted. It has fast servers throughout countries broadcasting the event, so you can watch all 15 rugby matches live online. ExpressVPN is also easy to use with native apps for most devices, even smart TVs. It also offers a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee to test it 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.

Watch the Six Nations in HD >>

Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Watching the Six Nations in 2024

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.

How To Watch Six Nations For Free From Anywhere — The Ultimate Guide

The 2025 Six Nations will air for free on BBC iPlayer in the UK. However, you'll need a BBC iPlayer subscription to watch the event. After creating your account, you can stream Ireland vs. England and more live online.

A VPN with servers in the UK can safely access the 6 Nations from anywhere. However, 2025 is the last year of the BBC’s current broadcasting deal. Plus, the event has been removed from the Crown Jewel Sports list in the UK, which guarantees its free-to-air status. So, depending on who the next broadcaster is, the event may move behind a paywall.

1. Download a VPN

Choose a VPN that offers multiple UK server locations for reliable access to Six Nations Rugby on BBC iPlayer. With impressive speeds and 5 locations in the UK, ExpressVPN is my go-to option. It also has native apps for all popular devices, including Apple TV and Android TV.

Follow the instructions and prompts to complete your sign up process

2. Connect to a Server

Install the VPN app and connect to a UK server to get a UK IP address and stream the 6 Nations securely on BBC iPlayer. You can use ExpressVPN's Smart Location feature to connect to the best server for your network automatically.

Press the power button after selecting the server to connect

3. Sign Up to BBC iPlayer

Open the BBC iPlayer website and create an account. You'll need to provide your email address and a few other personal details like your address and DOB. Even though you'll be asked if you have a UK TV license, proof is not required. You also won't asked to share any financial details.

Without an account, you'll be restricted to non-streaming content, like “Sounds"

4. Start Streaming Six Nations Rugby

Once connected to a VPN, you can watch the Six Nations live online from 31st January 2025. However, not all VPNs are created equal. Be sure to choose a VPN with constantly fast speeds to access all rugby matches in HD from anywhere.

On-demand content is available under “Categories.”

You can also watch the event on the BBC Sport app or the Six Nations Rugby official app for mobile devices. You can easily set up a VPN for Android or iOS devices. However, make sure that your VPN works with your required platform.

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.

Where Can I Watch Six Nations Rugby Online?

As a multi-country rugby competition, the Six Nations Championship games are available in various countries. Many countries with teams in the Six Nations offer free-to-air channels to watch all 15 matches, while others offer it on paid platforms, as detailed below.

You can also watch highlights and some matches of previous editions of Six Nations on YouTube. The catalog may differ based on your location, but if it's on YouTube, you can watch some of the rugby championships for free.

Best VPNs to Watch the Six Nations From Anywhere in 2024

A premium VPN with servers worldwide can access Six Nations rugby anywhere without interruptions. Such VPNs also use robust security features like AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data without compromising speed. Below are the best VPNs that work with BBC iPlayer and other sports platforms airing the event.

1. ExpressVPN — Fastest Speeds To Watch Six Nations Without Buffering From Anywhere

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2024

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN gave us the best streaming speeds for watching rugby in HD on BBC iPlayer. One of the main reasons for these speeds is its proprietary Lightway protocol. This protocol is optimized to move data quickly while consuming minimal battery, making it a good option for portable devices like smartphones or tablets. We only experienced a 16% speed drop testing servers in the UK.

I found the apps straightforward, with every popular operating system supported. It took me less than 5 minutes to install it on my Windows PC and connect it to a nearby server. If your device isn't VPN compatible, you can use ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer. This smart DNS feature lets you stream US and UK content on gaming consoles, older smart TVs, and other devices.

The only downside is that the VPN is not the cheapest option,starting at $4.99/month. However, ExpressVPN offers regular discounts and deals throughout the year, making it more affordable. I got 61% off plus extra months for free with its long-term plan. You can also try it risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee.

2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers To Easily Stream 6 Nations Rugby Online

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost has dedicated servers for reliably accessing BBC iPlayer, RTÉ Player, Peacock, and more. Only slightly slower than ExpressVPN at 158.07Mbps testing nearby servers, our speeds were fast enough to watch every pass and tackle in crystal-clear quality. To find these servers, you must expand the app and click for Streaming, then you can use the search bar to find a specific country's platform.

Using its Smart Rules feature, you can automatically connect to a particular server whenever you launch your preferred sports streaming service, saving you time. One small con with CyberGhost is that its monthly plans are expensive and have a short refund period. However, it makes up for this by offering an extended 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans that cost only $2.19/month.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Unlimited Connections to Watch Rugby On All Your Devices Simultaneously

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

With PIA, your household can securely stream content on as many devices as you want for only $2.03/month on a long-term plan. So, you can watch Six Nations without getting hassled by the kids or spouse to switch channels. During our tests, we streamed on 8 devices simultaneously, including a Windows Laptop, several smartphones, and an iPad, without a drop in performance.

PIA's many customization options might be overwhelming for beginners, but settings come pre-configured for streaming. Also, like CyberGhost, PIA has streaming servers, but these are country-specific, such as in the US, UK, and Australia. This makes it possible to securely access the 6 Nations from anywhere — just type "streaming" into the search bar.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Six Nations Rugby

To shortlist the best VPNs for watching the Six Nations, we confirmed they worked with the platforms airing the event live, like BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, and Peacock. We also tested each VPN for its ability to stream live rugby matches uninterrupted and in HD. In addition to checking its user-friendliness with popular operating systems, we checked that all our shortlisted VPNs offer round-the-clock customer service.

FAQs on Watching The Six Nations Rugby

Can I watch Six Nations Rugby completely free?

Yes, there are multiple free-to-air services that you can use to watch the 15 Six Nations matches for free. For example, the entire event can be live-streamed on BBC iPlayer and ITVX in the UK. Other free streaming services include RTÉ Player and France TV. In addition, top-tier premium VPNs can safely access these services from anywhere.

Can I use a free VPN to watch Six Nations?

You can, but we don’t recommend it. Free VPNs rarely work with platforms streaming the 6 Nations, like BBC iPlayer. This is because free VPNs are easily detected and blocked. In addition, they limit speeds, bandwidth, and security features. A premium VPN with a money-back guarantee as a more reliable alternative, since they have servers worldwide and work with most popular streaming services. Free VPNs can also infect your device with malware, or harvest your data to sell to third parties.

Is Six Nations Rugby available to watch on Amazon Prime Video?

No, the 6 Nations isn’t available on Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video has only bought the rights to show the annual Summer Nations Rugby series. However, there are plenty of other streaming providers airing the 6 Nations live online.

Can I watch Six Nations Rugby in Australia, Canada, or any other country?

Yes, various platforms show Six Nations in these countries. For example, in Australia, there is Stan, with DAZN showing it in Canada. While there aren’t any international free options, many offer free trials.

What if my VPN isn’t working to stream Six Nations?

This is likely due to the streaming service detecting and blocking your VPN. You can check for data leaks and clear your browser’s cookies and caches. Also try changing servers and updating your VPN app. If this issue persists, consider switching to a tried-and-tested VPN that can reliably stream Six Nations in HD from anywhere.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching Six Nations from anywhere…

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.

Rank

Provider

Our Score

Discount

Visit Website

1

9.9 /10

9.9 Our Score

Save 61%!

Find Out More

2

9.7 /10

9.7 Our Score

Save 84%!

Find Out More

3

9.5 /10

9.5 Our Score

Save 83%!

Find Out More