How to Watch the AFL Live Online from Anywhere in 2024

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.

Quality VPNs can provide reliable Australian IPs that allow for the secure streaming of AFL games on 7plus from anywhere. These services have top-grade features that prevent online tracking and ISP throttling, so you can enjoy AFL games for free in the highest quality without worrying about invasions of your privacy.

After testing over 30 VPNs, my team and I found that ExpressVPN is the best option for streaming the AFL live. It offers high-speed Australia servers for watching Aussie football from anywhere in HD without buffering. What’s more, you can try ExpressVPN without risk, as it offers a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee. If it falls short of your expectations, getting a refund is hassle-free. Editors' 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 AFL Live in HD >>

Best VPNs to Watch the AFL Anywhere in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Excellent Speeds to Stream the AFL Live From Anywhere Without Buffering Issues

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

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN ensures fast speeds for streaming, so you can watch the AFL from anywhere 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 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.

I had no issues watching the AFL in HD on 7plus

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. I connected to the Sydney server in under 5 seconds and experienced no sudden connection drops while streaming 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

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

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 dedicated to several platforms that offer the AFL, making it possible to reliably catch the action from anywhere. These include specialized servers for 10Play AU, Hulu, and Sky Go. These servers are regularly tested with their designated platform to ensure they work — every streaming server I tried reliably accessed its associated streaming service without an issue.

The streaming servers are neatly listed under the “For Streaming” tab

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 $2.19/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, it’s possible to set up CyberGhost to auto-connect to a Melbourne server whenever your device’s browser is launched, which is pretty 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. PIA — Global Server Network to Easily Stream the AFL from Anywhere

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

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. My team tested the AU Australia Streaming Optimized Server, and it allowed them to easily watch the AFL in high quality. Plus, in my tests, 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 $2.19/month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, enabling you to try the service risk-free.

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 strict testing methodology.

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.

Platforms like 7plus are geo-restricted and unavailable without an Australian IP

Thankfully, the AFL should be available on at least one platform or another wherever you are. However, keep in mind that if you want to catch AFL matches for free on 7plus, you’ll need an Australian IP address. A good VPN can offer an Australian IP, allowing you to watch the footy in HD from anywhere for free.

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. The best VPNs offer reliable Australian IPs, making it possible to securely access AFL games on 7plus from anywhere.

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 have an Australian IP address, you can stream via the 7plus app 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.

Will a VPN help me watch AFL Women’s games?

Yes, Australia’s 7plus shows the AFLW games. If you want to stream the matches without buffering, you can use a VPN with Australian servers to catch every second of the action live in HD.

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 stream the AFL. Just note that some countries — like China, Iraq, Russia, Iran, and Oman — have restricted or banned VPN use. In addition, using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions may infringe upon copyright law. We highly recommend always checking your local laws before using a VPN to avoid any legal troubles.

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 From Anywhere in Minutes

A VPN ensures you can always watch the AFL from anywhere without playback issues. The services mentioned above provide fast speeds and plenty of reliable servers. Besides, they offer top-grade security features that keep your location and activities private online.

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 from anywhere…

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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 strict testing methodology.