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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

How to Watch The British Open Live Online With a VPN (2024)

Doris Muthuri Updated on 11th December 2023 Senior Writer

As a golf enthusiast, I'm excited for The Open Championship to start in %currentyear%. Unfortunately, depending on where you’re based, The British Open might not be available to live stream in your country.

Theoretically, one way to watch The British Open is with a VPN. With this software, your real IP address gets replaced with one from a country with broadcasting rights to the championship. That said, using a VPN in this way contravenes most streaming platform terms and conditions — not to mention possibly constituting copyright infringement.

If you just want a VPN to watch The Open in HD (by bypassing ISP throttling, for example), my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. Its incredible speeds allowed me to watch every second of the live-action without buffering. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN without risk.

Watch the British Open in HD >>

Quick Guide: How to Watch The British Open With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because, with its many fast servers in countries where The British Open will be broadcast, you can watch the tournament live In UHD. It offers a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can confidently test ExpressVPN.
  2. Connect to a local server. Choose a server in your country to get the best speeds. For example, if you’re in the UK, connect to a UK server to watch The British Open on Now TV. If you’re in the States, choose a US server to watch YouTube TV, Peacock, Sling TV, FuboTV, and NBC.
  3. Start watching the British Open. Log in to your Now TV or Peacock TV account and join the action.
My colleagues and I do not condone copyright infringement. The VPN services we recommend below have strict no-logging policies that prevent them from keeping track of (or even seeing) what you do online. This means you’re responsible for how you choose to use a VPN, so please be sure to follow all applicable rules and regulations.

The Best VPNs to Watch The British Open in HD in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Fast Speeds for Streaming The Open Championship Uninterrupted

Best Feature Great speeds on all servers for streaming golf tournaments live in HD
Server Network 3,000 servers in 105 countries to watch platforms airing The British Open
Speeds The fastest VPN I tested, even over long distances
Compatible with NBC, BBC, Now TV, SkyGo, YouTube TV, FuboTV, SlingTV, Hulu+ Live TV, and more

ExpressVPN gave me excellent speeds for streaming The British Open in crystal clear quality. I got the best speeds with its proprietary Lightway protocol — averaging 102.39 Mbps from a base connection of 108.61 Mbps. You only need 5 Mbps to stream in HD, so this is more than enough to ensure a consistently high-quality stream. My speeds remained stable no matter which server I tried in the US, UK, or Australia.

Screenshots of speed tests while connected to some of ExpressVPN's UK serversMy speeds dropped by 6% on nearby servers and 37% on servers 15,000+ km away

The extensive server network works with plenty of platforms that stream the golf. While in the UK, I tested servers in East London and the Midlands and they both worked with my Sky Sports and BBC iPlayer accounts. Each server connected in under 3 seconds — so you won't miss a second of the live action.

With its MediaStreamer Smart DNS, you can watch The British Open on devices not usually compatible with VPNs, like your smart TV or gaming console. Following the step-by-step guides on its website, I connected it to my PlayStation in less than 10 minutes. However, you'll only be able to stream US and UK content. If you’re in another country, you can configure ExpressVPN on your router and get similar results.

The only drawback is that plans are pricier than the other VPNs on this list. However, ExpressVPN regularly offers great deals to help you save. I got 49% off my long-term subscription, plus 3 months of service for free. All plans also have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

  • Simultaneous device connections. You can use ExpressVPN on up 8 devices at the same time without experiencing a drop in performance.
  • Split tunneling. With this feature, you can direct certain apps and websites through the VPN while others (like local banking apps) use your regular internet connection.
  • 24/7 customer support. You can get assistance anytime with ExpressVPN's round-the-clock customer support, available via email and live chat.
  • User-friendly interface. Apps for various devices are straightforward to install and navigate, allowing you to connect to a server and stream The Open Championship effortlessly.
ExpressVPN Offer March 2024: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off! Don't miss out!

2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Easily Watch The British Open

Best Feature Servers dedicated to working with major streaming platforms, like Peacock TV and YouTube TV
Server Network 11,690 servers in 100 countries to watch The Open Championship in your region
Speeds Fast speeds — only 8% loss on closeby servers
Compatible with NBC, BBC, Now TV, SkyGo, YouTube TV, FuboTV, SlingTV, Hulu+ Live TV, and more

CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers reliably work with platforms airing The British Open. These servers are constantly monitored and optimized to ensure they work. Just expand the app and click For streaming. During my CyberGhost tests, I only had to type the platform’s name into the search bar, which immediately provided me with the best server. This allowed me to use my iPlayer account in the UK.

Screenshot of CyberGhost servers optimized for BBC iPlayerClick the star icon next to a server to add it to your favorites

CyberGhost has excellent speeds, too. While not as fast as ExpressVPN, I enjoyed a smooth streaming experience. My average download speed was around 101.39 Mbps. YouTube TV’s minimal HD streaming requirement is 5 Mbps, so you can watch The British Open in picture-perfect quality.

Thanks to its user-friendly interface, you can use CyberGhost without prior VPN experience. It took me less than 5 minutes to set it up on my Windows laptop and connect to a server in the UK. CyberGhost is compatible with various routers, and setting it up on yours lets you watch The Open Championship on any WiFi-connected device, like your Smart TV.

On the downside, its short-term plans only offer a 14-day refund period. However, with its money-back guarantee, you can use CyberGhost free for 45 days when you sign up for a long-term plan. I tested the refund policy by canceling my subscription via email. I received confirmation 24 hours later, and the money was back in my PayPal wallet within 4 days.

Useful Features

  • Content Blocker. Its built-in adblocker safeguards you from malicious websites, trackers, and malware while streaming the British Open.
  • WiFi protection. CyberGhost automatically protects your device when it detects a new network, even if you forget to switch the VPN on.
  • 7 simultaneous connections. You can share your account with your entire household so everyone can stream, browse, and play games at the same time.
March 2024 Deal: CyberGhost is currently offering 83% off its most popular plan! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost subscription.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Vast Global Network to Watch The British Open in Your Region

Best Feature Thousands of servers worldwide mean less chance of slowdowns due to overcrowding
Server Network 29,650 servers in 91 countries, including locations in all the US states
Speeds My average download speed dropped by only 18% connected to a server in New York
Compatible with NBC, BBC, Now TV, SkyGo, YouTube TV, FuboTV, SlingTV, Hulu+ Live TV, and more

With 53 server locations in the US alone, PIA is great for streaming The Open Championship if you’re in the States. My local UK servers were reliable too; I never waited more than 5 seconds for videos to load. I also tested PIA’s UK-optimized servers for streaming and had no issues using my Sky Go account.

A combination of fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth makes PIA a good choice for watching live events like The British Open. My average download speed was around 94 Mbps while using its WireGuard protocol (my baseline was 109.84 Mbps). That was more than fast enough to stream in HD without delays.

A small con is that the VPN is confusing to navigate for first-time users. However, settings come pre-configured — simply connect to a server and start streaming. It's also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try PIA before committing.

Useful Features

  • Unlimited device connections. You can connect all your devices simultaneously under one subscription.
  • Affordable pricing: PIA's competitive pricing plans make it an affordable choice for streaming the British Open with a long-term subscription costing only $2.03/month.
  • Dedicated IPs. You can get a dedicated IP address for countries airing The Championship (like Australia, Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan, and the US) for a small extra fee. Not sharing an IP means you’re less likely to experience issues using your streaming accounts.
March 2024 Update: PIA doesn't usually have deals or discounts (it's already so affordable), but right now you can get a new subscription for a crazy 82% off!

Where Can I Watch The British Open Online?

The Open Championship is broadcast on multiple TV networks, including ESPN, NBC, and the Golf Channel. But even if you don't have a cable subscription, you can still stream the live Golf tournament on different platforms, such as:

Country Free Trial Commentary Languages
Peacock (NBC’s official streaming service) US 7-day free trial English
Sling TV US 30-day free trial English
FuboTV US 7-day free trial English
YouTube TV US 7-day free trial English
Hulu + Live TV US 7-day free trial English and Spanish
BBC Sport UK Free channel English
Sky Sports Golf UK 7-day free trial with every NowTV’s Sports Pass English
Sky TV/SkyGo UK None English
Now TV UK 7-day free trial English
TSN Direct Canada None English
CTV Canada Free channel English
Fox Sports Australia Free channel English
Foxtel Now Australia 30-day free trial English
Kayo Sports Australia 7-day free trial English
SuperSport South Africa Free app 13 Languages, including English
Canal+ France 30-day free trial French
Sky Sport DE Germany, Switzerland, Austria 7-day free trial German
BE TV Belgium Free channel Dutch and French
Sky Italia Italy None Italian
ESPN Latin America None English and Spanish
Euro Sports India 7-day free trial English
JTBC South Korea 7-day free trial Korean
TV Asahi/Abema TV Japan 30-day free trial Japanese
Polsat Poland 7-day free trial Polish

Just note that these platforms can only be viewed from within their designated countries. Hypothetically, you could use a VPN to watch them from somewhere else, but this can land you in trouble. Using a VPN in this way goes against nearly all streaming terms and conditions and it can even constitute copyright infringement.

The 2024 Open Championship Schedule

Date Event
16 - 19 July Practice round
20 July Round 1
21 July Round 2
22 July Round 3
23 July Round 4

FAQs on Watching The Open Championship With a VPN

Is it possible to watch The British Open online for free?

When you sign up for a new YouTube TV account, you can use the service for free for 7 days. However, YouTube TV is a US-exclusive service and only works with an American IP (meaning you can only watch it from within US borders).

It is theoretically possible to use a VPN to make it look like you’re in the US even when you’re not. However, this goes against YouTube’s ts and cs and can contravene copyright laws.

Several other streaming platforms offer a free trial as well, including Now TV, Sling TV, FuboTV, Foxtel Now, and Kayo Sports. The free trials range between 7 and 30 days, which is more than enough to watch the tournament since The British Open is only 4 days long.

Can I use a free VPN to watch The British Open?

Maybe, but it’s not advisable. Free VPNs tend to restrict server locations so they probably won’t work with your local sports streaming service. A premium VPN with a money-back guarantee and global network is a more reliable alternative for watching The British Open.

Also, free VPNs limit speed and bandwidth, so you might experience buffering. But even more concerning is the lack of security features and a reliable privacy policy. Many free VPNs keep detailed logs of their users, which they sell to third parties.

Can I watch The British Open without cable?

Absolutely. You can stream on online platforms, such as Sling TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV. To stream in the best quality, just connect to a VPN server in your country first. For example, launch your VPN and connect to a US server to access your Sling TV account and watch The British Open from the US. The British Open will also be available on NBC Peacock TV, Now TV, and Hulu + Live TV.

Can I watch The British Open on my laptop and phone?

Yes, you can watch The British Open on any device, including a PC, smartphone, Roku, smart TV, and more. Most streaming platforms (including YouTube TV) are compatible with most popular operating systems. So, you can quickly install the VPN app on your preferred device, connect to a US server and access your YouTube TV account to watch The British Open live.

Watch the British Open in HD in Minutes

A reliable VPN can help you stream the platforms airing The British Open. All the VPNs I listed have the necessary features to allow you to watch The Open Championship live in UHD.

My top recommendation for watching The British Open is ExpressVPN. It gives you consistently fast speeds across a large server network to stream the golf tournament uninterrupted. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN completely risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching The British Open in HD…

Rank
Provider
Our Score
Discount
Visit Website
1
medal
9.9 /10
9.9 Our Score
Save 49%!
2
9.7 /10
9.7 Our Score
Save 83%!
3
9.5 /10
9.5 Our Score
Save 82%!
Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

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The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.

Visit ExpressVPN

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

Doris is a tech writer and a cybersecurity researcher for vpnMentor. She is enthusiastic about educating people about their rights to online freedom and provides actionable ways to protect their data.

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