Watch ESPN+ outside the US: how to access your account

ESPN+ is designed for a US audience. That means that, if you’re trying to catch games outside America without a VPN, you’ll hit a wall. To watch ESPN+ abroad in just a couple of minutes, work your way through our 3-step guide.

Top VPNs unlock ESPN+ by providing a temporary IP address from the US – meaning the sports service will think you’re in America even if you aren’t. Keep scrolling to find out more and check our troubleshooting tips if your current VPN doesn’t work.

Which VPNs work with ESPN+?

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

Walkthrough: using a VPN to watch ESPN+ abroad

At a glance: To watch ESPN+ abroad, download a trusted VPN, sign in to your account, connect to a server based in the US and reload the website or app.

1. Download a VPN

To watch live sports fixtures abroad, you need a trusted VPN. By choosing the right option, you can ensure you have software that’s a breeze to set up and secure as well.

We recommended ExpressVPN to sports fans as it’s affordable and lets you use up to 5 devices at one time, but you might want to shop around and see what works best for you in terms of monthly cost and features.

2. Sign in to your VPN

Once you’ve created your account and downloaded the accompanying software to your device, sign in with your username and password.

Note that VPNs have different rules when it comes to multi-user access. Some are quite strict with the number of people who can use your account at any one time, so check the terms. Others, like Ivacy, are a little more flexible.

3. Connect to a server for ESPN+

As ESPN+ is targeted at an American audience, you need to connect to a VPN server based in the US.

To do this using ExpressVPN, open the app, tap the three dots icon and use the search box to enter a location. We’ve used New Jersey in our example. Then, click the power icon to connect and wait for the green light.

How to fix ESPN+ errors

If ESPN+ works out that you’re trying to access it from a restricted region, your connection will be blocked. A support page on ESPN’s website explains: “At this time, ESPN Streaming is only available on U.S. domestic providers.”

See our list of troubleshooting tips below so you can regain access to ESPN+:

1. Update your VPN

If ESPN+ isn’t cooperating with your VPN, ensure you’re running the most recent version. The developers may have fixed any glitches with an update. Head to your VPN settings to sort this out.

For PC users, start by launching your VPN and accessing the Settings or Options menu. Certain VPNs may present update notifications on the initial screen. ExpressVPN, as an example, will showcase a message like this:

If you click on the Update option, it typically directs you to the VPN provider’s website, offering more details about the latest updates and changes.

For Android users like myself, open the Google Play store, tap on your user profile at the top-right corner and select Manage apps and device. Pick Update or Update all to ensure your VPN is up to date.

On an iPhone, open the Apple App Store and tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Use a different VPN server with ESPN+

At times, certain VPN servers might become unavailable or experience slower speeds. This can impact the performance of your ESPN+ profile. But although the sports streamer can block IP addresses, it can’t block entire VPNs.

Top-tier VPNs provide numerous servers in each country. For example, when I load up ExpressVPN on my mobile, it has a ‘UK – Docklands’ server and other options in East London and the Midlands. I suggest you try switching between them to find the most suitable one for your needs.

Try disconnecting from the current server that you’re using.

Next steps will vary depending on your VPN, but ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country. You can also favourite the server (use the Star icon) that works best for you.

3. Contact the support team

From a computer, head to your VPN provider’s website and find the Support or Contact us pages. Some VPNs offer a live chat service for members.

4. Reset your VPN

Whether you’re on a PC, smartphone or tablet, restart your device and open your VPN again. If that doesn’t work, delete and reinstall your VPN. Load up your VPN and ESPN+ and see if performance has improved.

5. Check your internet

Disconnect from your wi-fi network and then reconnect. Try and run your VPN once again. You can also go a step further and restart your internet router. Speeds of 5-10Mbps should be enough, but you might prefer over 20Mbps if you’re streaming or gaming.

Run a free download speed tool and compare the results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

More ESPN+ fixes:

Have you cleared cache and cookies from your internet browser? Cookies are pieces of data that websites send to your device to monitor your activity. On Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, you need Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Have you entered your VPN username and password correctly? Check your login details. If you’re anything like me, you’re a little forgetful. If you can’t remember them, get a reset link sent to your inbox.

Are the VPN servers active? If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be experiencing an outage. The best providers are transparent about this and actively update their server status online.

Is your firewall blocking your VPN or ESPN+? If you’re experiencing issues on desktop, make sure your VPN is mentioned in the ‘Allow’ list. On Windows, head to open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

Does your web browser need updating? Your current web browser might be incompatible with your VPN. Assuming you’ve updated your VPN, make sure you update your browser as well. On Chrome, go to Settings > About Chrome.

Are you overworking your VPN? If you’re streaming, gaming and sending messages at the same time, your VPN might struggle to keep up. We suggest you close a couple of apps to test if doing so has a noticeable impact.

Check if you have been hit by a DNS leak. To clarify, a DNS (domain name system) leak means your real IP address and location is visible to websites you visit, even if you have a VPN installed. Use the IP Address Lookup tool to see if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and visit ESPN+. If it doesn’t, your VPN is broken.

For a printer-friendly overview of the information above, see our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster.

Best VPNs for ESPN+

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

If the VPN you’re using at the moment just refuses to work, then it’s time to switch over to ExpressVPN. I’m most comfortable with ExpressVPN – it’s easy to use, speedy and works brilliantly if you’re looking to access ESPN+ from abroad. You won’t have to stare at annoying error messages on the ESPN+ website if you’re protected by this tried and tested VPN.

Crucially, ExpressVPN does a fantastic job of replacing its blacklisted servers. That means that, even if ESPN+ temporarily disables incoming connections from ExpressVPN, the VPN will have a replacement server up and running ASAP. To access your account, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN, connect to a US-based server and go from there. I’ve had good results using ExpressVPN to access live soccer games.

ExpressVPN keeps your real IP address hidden around the clock, so websites won’t know you’re accessing content from abroad. Every ExpressVPN member can enjoy servers in over 90 countries around the world. This VPN works on loads of different gadgets including Mac, PC, Android or iOS smartphone.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

Ivacy is a great pick if you want to enjoy ESPN+ while you’re travelling. This is one of the most popular, affordable VPNs around, thanks in part to its battle against blacklisted servers. The cheapest Ivacy subscription will only set you back $2.45 per month, which is pretty good in our opinion.

This trusted VPN will effectively hide your real location so you can use all of ESPN+’s features, even if you’ve bravely roamed outside the US. Use our exclusive link below and you get instant access to over 1,000 VPNs servers across the world.

A single membership to Ivacy also means you can protect up to 10 gadgets at a time. I find this really handy, as I can use the VPN at the same time as my partner and we don’t necessarily need to be accessing the same websites.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

Here’s another VPN for your shortlist if you want to use ESPN+ while you’re travelling. NordVPN has servers all over the world and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. That means they’re extremely secure and you can connect without handing over your personal data to companies that shouldn’t own it.

If you run into trouble while getting to grips with NordVPN, you can make use of the live chat feature for a helping hand. In the tests I’ve worked through on NordVPN, staff are usually quick to respond when I open a live chat case.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

If your current VPN doesn’t work with ESPN+, it’s time to treat yourself to a better alternative. PureVPN is a great example, being powerful enough to unlock geo-locked websites so you can enjoy them without a hassle. You’ll be able to log in to your ESPN+ account even if you’re in a country where it doesn’t usually work.

ESPN+ aside, PureVPN also works with ITV Hub, Hulu and Amazon Prime. There are around 2,000 secure PureVPN servers based in over 130 different countries – I’ve jumped between regions as part of my tests and didn’t have any issues related to speed.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

Try PureVPN today

FAQs: Streaming with ESPN+

Can I use a free VPN with ESPN+?

If you’re looking to save money, the growing number of free VPNs are a tempting option. However, we suggest you be careful.

Free VPNs for ESPN+ might compromise your privacy for profit, as they don’t ask you for a monthly fee. Plus, connecting to their servers may be time-consuming and your connection could drop unexpectedly.

On the other hand, reputable, paid-for VPNs offer a broad network of servers worldwide, granting you access to websites and apps.

If you want to learn more about VPN security, see our guide: Are VPNs safe?

Does ESPN+ work with a VPN?

Yes, ESPN+ will work if you pick the right VPN – one that lets you connect to a server in the United States without your signal dropping out randomly. Our in-house tests prove that you can stream American sports from a home in the UK.

As a VPN lets you disguise your location, the ESPN service will work correctly as if you were in the US.

Can I use ESPN+ in the UK?

ESPN+ isn’t officially available in the UK, but running a VPN to spoof your location will give you instant access. If you try to access the service from the UK, your browser will generate an error message that stops you in your tracks: “We’re sorry, an unexpected error occurred.”

What can I watch on ESPN+?

ESPN+ has plenty of content to fill your time:

• Live Sports Events including MLB, NHL, MLS, college sports, boxing and UFC events.
• Original Programming including documentaries.
• Studio Shows such as Ariel & The Bad Guy and The Fantasy Show.

Is ESPN+ free?

No, ESPN+ is a paid-for service for sports fans. If you want to give it a try, you have a couple of different packages to choose from. A monthly subscription is $9.99 a month and a yearly subscription is $99.99. If you get the Trio Basic bundle for $12.99 a month, you get Disney+ and Hulu alongside ESPN+.

Is watching ESPN+ with a VPN legal?

Well, it’s a complicated topic and one that many of our readers have reached out about.

Although using a VPN to stream ESPN+ content isn’t illegal, violating the provider’s terms of service could result in your account being suspended or terminated entirely. We recommend you do plenty of research before you decide to employ a VPN.

As per our affiliate policy, we might earn affiliate commission when you select a retailer link. Prices and information correct at time of publication.