How to Watch NCAA March Madness Live Online in 2024

NCAA basketball is my absolute favorite college sports league, so I never miss March Madness. There are a couple of ways you can watch the tournament in 2024 if you live in the US, Australia, Canada, or Europe. For example, in the US, you can catch all the games with a combination of Paramount+ and Sling TV, which works out to be the cheapest option. But there are some options for fans living in Canada, Australia, Europe, and more.

With a VPN (Virtual Private Network), you can hypothetically watch the NCAA March Madness from a country where it’s not being broadcast. However, note that such action goes against most streaming platforms’ T&Cs and might even be considered copyright infringement. The team and I don’t condone using a VPN for any illicit activity.

If you just want to protect your connection while streaming NCAA games online from the US or another licensed region, I recommend ExpressVPN. It provides robust protection while also delivering fast connections for bufferless HD streaming. You can test ExpressVPN out for yourself, and if you’re not satisfied, you have up to 30 days to get a refund.

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Best VPNs to Securely Watch NCAA March Madness Online in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Consistently Fast Speeds to Watch NCAA March Madness Buffer-Free

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When it comes to streaming NCAA March Madness without lag, ExpressVPN has you covered. Its Lightway protocol ensures consistently fast speeds for streaming. This proprietary protocol is designed for efficiency, minimizing overhead, and reducing latency. It optimizes your connection, so you can enjoy every dunk and three-pointer without interruptions.

Our team of testers in the US recorded average speeds of 116.34 Mbps across the States, only a 7% drop from their base speeds (most VPNs drop your speeds more than 20%). They were able to use their Sling TV and Paramount+ accounts easily with all the US servers they tried. This amount of speed loss is not even noticeable, meaning you can easily enjoy watching the games in UHD without buffering.

With ExpressVPN's vast network of 24 US server locations, US-based users can find a connection nearby without an issue. It’s a huge bonus for a VPN to offer more locations since the less distance your data has to travel, the better your speeds will be. It also has plenty of servers in other countries that are broadcasting March Madness. During my tests, I streamed ESPN Player with zero lagging with its East London server from my location in the UK.

While the higher price may be a concern for some, ExpressVPN redeems itself with its discounts. Right now, you can save 49% off its longest-term plan. Plus, there's no risk in trying ExpressVPN for NCAA March Madness, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied, you can get a full refund by reaching out to its live chat.

Useful Features

• Shortcuts. ExpressVPN lets you create shortcuts to some of your favorite websites and streaming sites. This means that you can start streaming and protect your connection at the same time with just one click.
• Simple design. ExpressVPN offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy for even non-tech-savvy users to set up and use. After downloading the app, all I had to do was hit the Smart Location button, and it automatically connected me to the fastest server in my country.
• 24/7 live chat. ExpressVPN provides around-the-clock live chat support. If you encounter any issues while setting up or using the service during the tournament, you can reach out to its support team instantly.
• MediaStreamer. This is ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS that lets you stream NCAA March Madness safely on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like smart TVs and game consoles. It was easy to set up, too, thanks to ExpressVPN’s detailed guides on its website. Note that it only works with certain UK and US platforms, so it’s great for those of you living in these countries.

2. CyberGhost — Streaming Servers Make it Easy to Stream March Madness Securely

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CyberGhost has streaming servers optimized specifically for Paramount+ and Sling TV. Our testers in the US reported these servers consistently delivered smooth and lag-free streaming for basketball matches on these platforms. They’re regularly maintained by CyberGhost’s staff to ensure fast and stable connections, so you can catch every game without interruptions.

That’s not to say CyberGhost’s regular connections won’t do the trick. It also has reliable servers in every region where March Madness is available. From the UK, I streamed a live basketball match on my Discovery+ app (through my BT Sports subscription) with CyberGhost’s London server and had an uninterrupted connection throughout the game.

Its user-friendly and intuitive app simplifies the streaming process. It also lets you favorite servers that allow a quicker connection next time. Its London-2 server provided the fastest speeds that let me stream ESPN Player UK from my location in east London. So, I clicked the star next to the server so I didn’t have to search for it the next time I wanted to use it.

While the short-term plan is a little expensive and comes with a 14-day refund period, CyberGhost offers great discounts on its longer-term subscriptions. Plus, with its generous 45-day money-back guarantee on long plans, you can try it out for free.

Useful Features

• Great speeds. CyberGhost offers fast speeds, essential for streaming NCAA March Madness without buffering or lag. Our US testers recorded an average speed of 107.2 Mbps (a 14% loss). It’s not quite as fast as ExpressVPN, but these speeds won’t cause noticeable slowdowns.
• Value for money. CyberGhost’s longest-term plan costs just $2.03/month, making it one of the most affordable VPNs out there. So you don’t have to break the bank to protect your streaming connection.
• Smart rules. This feature lets you personalize the VPN settings. For example, the Exceptions feature lets you set certain websites to bypass the VPN connection, thus freeing up some bandwidth for smoother March Madness streaming. You can also set up the VPN to launch and connect automatically when you open certain apps with its App rules.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Lots of US Servers Give You Fast and Reliable Streaming

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PIA boasts a huge server network, particularly in the US, making it a great option for streaming NCAA March Madness from the States. With servers in all 50 states, you have the flexibility to connect to one nearby, ensuring faster speeds and reduced latency. This also prevents server overcrowding and slowdowns caused by it. Our team in the US confirmed that PIA worked reliably with US platforms, including Paramount+ and Sling TV.

It offers strong encryption with the option to choose between 128-bit AES or 256-bit AES encryption. These options let you balance security and speed based on your needs — the lesser encryption will give faster speeds. Our US testers recorded a speed loss of 17% in the States using the 128-bit encryption with the OpenVPN protocol, which didn’t cause noticeable slowdowns. WireGuard is also fast, but it works with 256-bit encryption by default.

The downside to PIA’s customization options is that it might be a bit much if you’re only looking for simple security while you stream online. Luckily, the most important security features are enabled by default, so you can simply connect to a nearby server and start streaming.

PIA is an affordable VPN, with prices starting from just $2.03/month. Plus, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it risk-free to see if it meets your streaming needs​​​​.

Useful Features

• MACE. PIA’s ad, tracker, and malware blocker gets rid of annoying pop-up ads and protects you from malicious sites. I tested it on ESPN and CNN Sports news websites, and it blocked all the banner ads, so you won’t have distractions when you’re catching up on the latest NCAA March Madness news.
• Quick Connect widget. This is a handy feature that shows you the last 6 locations you’ve used with PIA. I like this because it makes it easy to connect to the last server that worked best for you without having to look for it in the full server list.

Where Can I Watch NCAA March Madness Online?

For those who don’t have a cable package that broadcasts the tournament (like CBS, TNT, TBS, or truTV in the US), there are plenty of options to watch NCAA March Madness online. Fans in the States, Canada, Australia, the UK, and many other countries can also stream NCAA March Madness 2024. Here are some of your options for streaming the tournament, depending on where you’re based.

The US

US-based fans can catch every game on the March Madness Live website. However, you’ll need to sign in with your cable TV provider details (either CBS, TBS, TNT, or truTV). Below is a table showing all the options for streaming this event in the US, even without cable.

Canada

TSN will broadcast NCAA March Madness games from Canada. Otherwise, the streaming options from there are quite limited.

Australia

Fans in Australia can watch NCAA March Madness on ESPN if they’re Foxtel customers using Foxtel Go or WatchESPN apps.

The UK, Europe, and Other Countries

Fans throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and some parts of Asia will be able to stream NCAA March Madness on ESPN Player. This service even offers a free 7-day trial if you just want to catch the last leg of the tournament.

From the UK, March Madness will be available on BT Sport, which offers an online-only plan for those who don’t have cable. Subscribers can download the Discovery+ app, and stream matches through the TNT Sports channel. ESPN Player is also an option in the UK.

NCAA fans in Spain can also stream some of the games in the tournament on fuboTV. However, it doesn’t show all the games — only shows those aired on CBS and ESPN.

How to Sign Up for Paramount+ and Sling TV to Watch NCAA March Madness

NCAA March Madness will be aired on a few channels available on various streaming platforms. The cheapest way to watch the men’s tournament from the US is through Paramount Plus and Sling TV Blue.

Altogether, this option will cost around $50/per month, but you can get 50% off your first month of Sling TV if you’re a new subscriber (making the total around $30 for 1 month). To watch the women’s tournament, you’ll also need to sign up for Sling TV Orange.

Sign up for these platforms by following these steps:

Paramount+

1. Create a Paramount+ account. Go to the Paramount+ website or app, choose a plan, and enter your details to create an account.
2. Install the app on your chosen device. Download the Paramount+ app from the app store on your device.
3. Log in to your Paramount+ account. Use your new account details to log in to the app.
4. Search for March Madness games. Utilize the search feature in the app to find the live NCAA March Madness game you want to watch​​​​​​.
5. Start streaming. Click on the game to start streaming, enjoying live sports action from your device​​​​​​.

Sling TV

1. Create a Sling TV account. Visit the Sling TV website, select a service package, and enter your details​​. Choose the Blue package to watch the men’s tournament and the Orange for the women’s.
2. Install the app on your chosen device. Download the Sling TV app from your device's app store​​.
3. Log in to your Sling TV account. Use your credentials to access your Sling TV subscription​​.
4. Search for March Madness games. Find the NCAA March Madness game using the app's search function.
5. Start streaming. Select the game to begin watching live sports on Sling TV.

FAQs on Watching NCAA March Madness With a VPN

Can I watch NCAA March Madness live without cable?

Yes, you most likely can, depending on where you live. NCAA March Madness is available live without cable in various countries. In the US, options include a combination of Sling TV (Blue package for the men’s tournament and Orange package for women’s) and Paramount+. Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV offer all the various channels broadcasting the tournament for a slightly higher price.

In Canada, you can sign up for a daily or monthly pass to the online-only TNS service. Fans in Australia can sign up for Foxtel Now or Kayo without cable. Those in the UK can watch it with a BT Sport online-only pass or on ESPN Player, which is also available throughout other parts of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and some parts of Asia.

Where can I watch NCAA Women’s March Madness?

From the US, the Women's NCAA Tournament games in 2024 will be available on various ESPN channels like ESPN2 and ESPNU, as well as on ABC. Without cable, fans can stream from the Sling TV Orange package, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, and YouTube TV. The coverage includes different stages of the tournament, from the Selection Sunday to the Championship Game. This wide range of channels offers comprehensive access to the tournament​​.

Is NCAA March Madness available on ESPN+, Hulu, or Roku?

Yes, it is. NCAA March Madness games are available on Hulu + Live TV, which includes ESPN+ in its package. This service covers both men's and women's tournaments. Roku users can stream these games if they have subscriptions to these services. However, not all games might be available on ESPN+, as it primarily covers select parts of the women's tournament and other sports events​​.

How do I get the March Madness Live Everywhere App?

The March Madness Live Everywhere App is only available in the US and can be downloaded from your device's app store. This app provides US-based fans access to live games and other features related to the NCAA tournament. Ensure that your streaming service subscription includes the relevant channels for full access to the games. Just be aware that you’ll need to sign in with your cable TV provider details, either CBS, TBS, TNT, or truTV.

Which devices can I watch March Madness on with a VPN?

You can watch March Madness with a VPN on smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, Roku, and more. All VPNs recommended in this article are compatible with these devices. The only thing that differs is how you can install them.

Usually, most VPNs offer native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Some even offer apps for Fire Stick and other Fire devices. This way, you can easily install the app on your respective devices by downloading them from the official VPN website or the app store.

To watch March Madness on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like Roku and gaming consoles, you’ll need to either install the VPN on your router or use a Smart DNS (if provided by your chosen VPN). Installing a VPN on a router protects all your devices that are connected to that router network.

Can I watch NCAA March Madness for free online?

Part of it, yes. The best way to watch March Madness in 2024 for free online is with a streaming platform’s free trial. The tournament is available on various platforms around the world, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV, Paramount+, Sling TV, fuboTV, ESPN Player, BT Sport, and Kayo. Some of these services offer free trials, but it varies on where you are.

Plus, all the VPNs I’ve included on this list offer tried and tested money-back guarantees, so you can try them risk-free. That way, if you’re looking to secure your connection while streaming March Madness, there’s no monetary risk in that, either.

What is the NCAA March Madness schedule?

The NCAA’s 2024 March Madness tournament runs from March 17 (Selection Sunday) to April 8 (Championship Game). Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:

• Selection Sunday: March 17
• First Four: March 19–20
• First round: March 21–22
• Second round: March 23–24
• Sweet 16: March 28–29
• Elite Eight: March 30–31
• Final Four: April 6
• Championship game: April 8

The tournament will be broadcast across different channels such as CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV for men's games and ABC and ESPN networks for women's games​​​​. There are various streaming options to watch all the games online around the world.

Securely Watch NCAA March Madness in Minutes

Most of the broadcasters showing NCAA March Madness games are in the US, and there are many ways to stream it live online without cable TV. There are even several streaming platforms available across different countries to fans outside the US. To watch the games safely online and avoid ISP throttling, you can use a robust VPN.

My top pick is ExpressVPN because it offers great security without compromising your streaming speeds. Plus, it works reliably with the platforms where March Madness is available. You can also try it risk-free because it's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, the best VPNs for watching NCAA March Madness online are…

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