How to Watch the AFL Live Online With a VPN in 2024
- Quick Guide: Quick Guide: How To Watch the AFL With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Best VPNs to Watch the AFL in 2024
- ExpressVPN — Excellent Speeds to Stream the AFL Live Without Buffering
- CyberGhost — Beginner-Friendly Apps to Reliably Watch the AFL Live
- Private Internet Access (PIA) — Global Server Network for Streaming the AFL
- Where Can I Watch the AFL Live Online?
- FAQs on Watching the AFL Live With a VPN
- Watch the AFL in HD in Minutes
The Australian Football League is a sporting event that's thankfully accessible in most countries. Some games can even be streamed for free via the 7plus platform. That said, this particular service is only available to those with an Australian IP.
A VPN can technically give you an Australian IP address even if you're not within the country, though please know that using this workaround to watch the AFL free on 7plus outside Australia breaks its T&Cs. It can even be seen as infringing upon copyright.
After testing over 30 VPNs, my team and I found that ExpressVPN is your best option for streaming the AFL live. It’s reliable and offers great speeds for watching Aussie football in the best quality. What's more, you can try ExpressVPN without risk thanks to its trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee. If it falls short of your expectations, getting a refund is a hassle-free process.
Quick Guide: Quick Guide: How To Watch the AFL With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN; it has excellent speeds and offers reliable access to the AFL. Plus, with its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free.
- Connect to a local server. For example, while in Australia, I connected to ExpressVPN’s Sydney server to watch AFL games seamlessly on Fox Footy.
- Start watching. Log in to your preferred local streaming platform to watch the AFL premiership without interruptions.
Best VPNs to Watch the AFL in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Excellent Speeds to Stream the AFL Live Without Buffering
Tested March 2024 Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Best Feature | Fast and reliable server network to watch the AFL without annoying lag or long load times |
Server Network | 3,000 servers in 105 countries, including 7 server locations around Australia |
Speeds | 115.5Mbps (5% slower than my usual connection) |
Compatible With | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and more |
ExpressVPN ensures fast speeds for streaming, so you can watch the AFL in the highest quality without buffering issues. During my ExpressVPN tests, I got great download speeds — experiencing only a 5% dip from my usual speeds when connected to local Australian servers. This is noteworthy, as most VPNs reduce your speed by more than 50%. The VPN also offers unlimited bandwidth, so you can watch as many AFL games as you like without data caps.
Throughout all my tests, ExpressVPN helped me reliably watch AFL matches without interruptions. Its server network is extensive, featuring 7 Australian locations that all work with 7plus and Fox Footy. While in Australia, I connected to the Sydney server in under 5 seconds and experienced no sudden connection drops while streaming AFL content for several hours.
ExpressVPN’s setup process is simple, and its easy-to-use app is compatible with a wide variety of popular streaming devices (you can connect up to 8 devices at the same time). There’s also lightweight and convenient browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, if that’s what you’d prefer to use to stream the AFL.
One minor drawback is the expensive pricing. However, ExpressVPN frequently offers discounts and promotions, making it more affordable. I got a notable 49% off — which reduced the price to just $6.67/month — and I also got an additional 3 months of free service. Plus, with its robust 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try out ExpressVPN without risking your money.
Useful Features
- MediaStreamer. If you're interested in watching the footy on a larger screen, you can use the MediaStreamer feature to watch the AFL on devices that typically don't support VPN apps. This lets you easily watch the AFL without interruption on certain Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL) or gaming consoles (Xbox and PlayStation).
- Split tunneling. This feature enables you to select which apps use the VPN and which do not. For example, I could direct my browser through the VPN to watch the AFL in HD, while simultaneously playing online football games at low-latency via my regular connection (VPNs typically increase ping, which can cause lag).
- Works on restrictive networks. ExpressVPN uses advanced obfuscation technology to disguise your VPN activity as regular web traffic. This ensures that you can consistently stream AFL matches, even from networks that attempt to block VPNs (like those in offices or schools).
2. CyberGhost — Beginner-Friendly Apps to Reliably Watch the AFL Live
Best Feature | Easy-to-use apps to quickly catch your favorite football games in the highest quality |
Server Network | 11,690 servers in 100 countries to watch the AFL reliably, including 3 server locations in Australia |
Speeds | 110.6Mbps (9% slower than my usual connection) |
Compatible With | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and more |
CyberGhost provides user-friendly apps that make it really easy to start streaming the AFL. Every app I tried was simple to navigate and took minimal setup — even my friend, who has never used a VPN before, had no trouble installing the app and watching AFL games. This makes CyberGhost ideal for VPN beginners.
There are also streaming-optimized servers that are clearly labeled and dedicated to several platforms that offer the AFL, like 10Play AU, Hulu, and Sky Go. These specialized servers are regularly tested with their designated platform to ensure they work. I reliably accessed my 10Play AU account in Australia by connecting to the relevant dedicated server.
I also got an impressive average speed of 110.6Mbps in my tests, meaning my connection was fast enough to watch the AFL live in UHD without disruptions. Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost doesn’t limit your bandwidth either. So you can watch multiple matches, highlights, and segments without worrying about data caps.
One downside I observed was that the monthly subscription is pricey and offers a shorter refund window (only 14 days). However, long-term plans are more economical at just $2.03/month and provide an extended money-back guarantee — meaning you can try CyberGhost free for 45 days.
Useful Features
- Smart DNS. Similar to ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer, CyberGhost’s Smart DNS service lets you watch the AFL on your Smart TV or gaming console.
- Smart rules. This feature allows you to automate the VPN. For example, I set up CyberGhost to auto-connect to my local Melbourne server whenever I launched my browser to stream the footy, which was quite convenient.
- Ad blocker. CyberGhost comes with a “Block Content” feature that gets rid of annoying ads and pop-ups on streaming sites, allowing for an uninterrupted viewing experience.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Global Server Network for Streaming the AFL
Best Feature | An extensive network of servers all around the world that let you watch the AFL in HD |
Server Network | 29,650 servers in 91 countries, including 5 Australian server locations |
Speeds | 102.1Mbps (15.8% slower than my usual connection) |
Compatible With | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and more |
PIA comes with a wide-ranging server network that allows for a reliable AFL streaming experience. There’s a huge number of servers in locations where the AFL is broadcast, including Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, and more. Thanks to this extensive network, I always had a reliable connection while testing PIA. I never had to worry about overcrowded servers, and even if I did encounter a server experiencing issues, I would have plenty of alternatives.
Similar to CyberGhost, PIA features Australian streaming-optimized servers. I tested the AU Australia Streaming Optimized Server while in the country, and it allowed me to watch the AFL in high quality on my 7plus account. Plus, I had unlimited bandwidth and speeds of 102.1Mbps — more than fast enough for streaming AFL matches in the highest quality.
PIA also provides unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription. I connected 10 devices and didn’t encounter any buffering — even when I streamed a match on each of them at the same time. This means that everyone in your household can use PIA to stream the AFL and other sports on their preferred devices without affecting each other’s connection.
You also get a variety of customization features, including adjustable encryption levels and protocols. This lets you optimize the VPN to get the best speeds for watching the AFL live. However, these settings might be overwhelming to beginners. Thankfully, the default configuration is still good for streaming, so you shouldn’t need to change anything unless you want to.
Useful Features
- MACE ad blocker. PIA's MACE feature improves your AFL streaming experience by blocking unwanted ads and intrusive trackers.
- Budget-friendly. You can get PIA for as low as $2.03/month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, enabling you to try the service risk-free.
Where Can I Watch the AFL Live Online?
A number of streaming platforms that broadcast the AFL are only available in Australia. Even international services that host the AFL — like Fox Sports and BT Sport — don’t cover every region (these platforms are currently only available in the US and the UK). That’s because most broadcasters only have the right to stream AFL games in certain regions.
Thankfully, the AFL should be available on at least one platform or another wherever you are — see the table below to find the right streaming service for you.
Platform | Locations | Free Trial |
Channel 7 (7plus) | Australia | ✅ (Forever free, select AFL matches only) |
Fox Footy (Foxtel Now) | Australia | ✅ (10 days) |
Kayo Sports | Australia | ✅ (7 days) |
10Play AU | Australia | ❌ |
Watch AFL | International (excluding Australia) | ❌ |
TNT Sports (BT Sport) | UK | ❌ |
ABC Australia (Australia Plus) | Asia/Pacific | ✅ (30 days) |
Fox Sports | USA | ✅ (7 days) |
Sky Sports NZ (Sky GO NZ) | New Zealand | ❌ |
TVNZ | New Zealand | ❌ |
TSN | Canada | ❌ |
FAQs on Watching the AFL Live With a VPN
Can I watch AFL in the US?
Yes, via Fox Sports or the Watch AFL service. Both are premium platforms, though Fox Sports has a 7-day free trial.
Where can I watch AFL online for free?
Channel 7’s 7plus streaming service lets you watch certain AFL matches online for free, such as AFLW games and the AFL Grand Final. However, 7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, meaning you’ll need an IP address from the country to access it.
Hypothetically, a VPN can give you an Australian IP address while you’re outside the country, meaning you could possibly access 7plus from abroad. That being said, such an action will break the platform’s terms and conditions and could infringe copyright law.
Is there an app to watch the AFL?
The Watch AFL app lets you watch live matches outside Australia, but it’s not free. Alternatively, if you’re in Australia, you can use the 7plus app to watch some AFL matches for free.
The AFL Live Official App is also free and available anywhere, but it only lets you watch match replays. That said, it also offers radio coverage of live matches, live scores, access to player stats, and the latest AFL news.
Which teams are playing in the AFL this year?
Where’s the complete list. To keep up with their progress, here are a few platforms that you can use to watch the AFL live.
Adelaide Crows | Brisbane Lions | Carlton Blues | Collingwood Magpies | Essendon Bombers | Fremantle Dockers |
Geelong Cats | Gold Coast Suns | GWS Giants | Hawthorn Hawks | Melbourne Demons | North Melbourne Kangaroos |
Port Adelaide Power | Richmond Tigers | St Kilda Saints | Sydney Swans | West Coast Eagles | Western Bulldogs |
Will a VPN help me watch AFL Women’s games?
Yes, Australia’s 7plus shows the AFLW games. If you’re in the country, you can use a VPN to ensure you catch all the action live in the highest quality.
Is it legal to use a VPN to watch AFL?
VPNs are legal in most places, so there’s usually no issue in using a quality VPN to locally stream the AFL. Just note that some countries — like China, Iraq, Russia, Iran, and Oman — have restricted or banned VPN use. We highly recommend always checking your local laws before using a VPN to avoid any legal troubles.
Also, please keep in mind that using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions can violate copyright law. We highly recommend you only use a VPN to stream the AFL via local services.
Can I use a free VPN to watch AFL online?
I don’t recommend using a free VPN for streaming the AFL. Their servers are usually blocked by sports streaming platforms, and even if that isn’t the case, free VPNs often deliberately restrict your speeds and bandwidth to the point where streaming is impossible. It’s much better to use a low-cost VPN with a money-back guarantee. That way, you’ll get reliable and fast servers perfect for watching the footy.
Watch the AFL in HD in Minutes
A VPN ensures you don't lose a second of the action to buffering. The services mentioned above provide fast speeds and plenty of reliable servers so that you can watch the AFL in the highest quality without such interruptions.
That said, my top recommendation for streaming the AFL is ExpressVPN. Out of all the VPNs I've tested, it stands out for its excellent speeds and user-friendly interface. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, getting a refund is hassle-free.
To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching the AFL in HD…
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