Sky Sports cemented its name as one of the most relevant sports-streaming platforms. Given its popularity, it’s odd that people can’t watch Sky Sports in the US. The reason for this is a geo-restriction, which limits the streaming service to the UK and Ireland. What’s the fix?
The simplest solution is to somehow unblock Sky Sports in the United States. Most people opt for VPN services. These tools let you change your online location to another country and access restricted content. For more information, read our detailed guide to the end.
We’ll explain how to unblock Sky Sports in the US or anywhere else. In addition, we’ll discuss which VPNs work and what to do if you face issues with unblocking the platform.
Watch Sky Sports in the USA: A Quick Guide
The key to accessing this platform in the USA is to obtain an IP address from the UK or Ireland. This streaming service works only in these two countries. We recommend using a top-tier VPN service like NordVPN because it’s proven to work with Sky Sports in any country, not just the USA.
Follow these steps:
- Grab NordVPN’s subscription. Its 2-year plans are currently on sale, with a 65-plus percent discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Install NordVPN’s browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, …)
- Enable WebRTC leak protection and location spoofing.
- Connect to a UK server
- Go to Sky Sports, sign in, and watch it.
Why Is Sky Sports Blocked in the USA?
Addressing the elephant in the room is our first concern. When you go online, you’ll notice that some websites and services are unavailable to you. This is a typical case of geo-restriction, where content is allowed only in specific regions and restricted in others.
Sky Sports is a UK streaming platform. Logically, it has a license to broadcast in this country but also in Ireland. We don’t know the exact background – no one does. However, we can speculate that it’s about distribution rights and licensing agreements.
In simple words, you can’t watch Sky Sports in the US because of its allowance to operate only in Ireland and the UK. The website works by picking up your IP address when you visit it. If the IP is outside of these two countries, you’re faced with a geo-block message.
We mentioned that a VPN can unblock restricted sites, which is a huge relief. This means you can alter your IP address to the UK or Ireland and thus, access Sky Sports in the US or any other country. The problem is that not all providers work and most will be detected.
How to Watch Sky Sports in the United States?
However, NordVPN emerges on top as the most reliable pick, which brings us to this detailed guide. This provider packs over 440 servers in the UK and dozens in Ireland. Most importantly, it has the fastest speeds and no bandwidth caps, which is essential for this case.
NordVPN’s streaming optimization is excellent, plus, it can unblock ANY region-locked website. Since this is a risk-free provider, it’s also suitable for watching Sky Sports while on vacation in the USA. If you’re temporarily in the United States, you can use NordVPN for this purpose.
When you get back home in the UK or Ireland, you can use a 30-day money-back guarantee to obtain a refund since you won’t need it for this platform anymore. Here’s how to access this streaming service in America or any other country – it doesn’t matter.
Watching Sky Sports in the US: A Detailed Guide
Just to be clear, you can use any VPN you like as long as it works. We recommend NordVPN and its 2-year deals with great discounts. You can claim the cheapest deal below by clicking the button below. Once you select the plan, provide your email and pay for the service.
Access Sky Sports With NordVPN
After that, you’ll be required to verify your account via email and create a secure password. Once done, you can download the NordVPN app to any device. While we recommend you do that, for this guide, we’ll use its outstanding browser extension that works well.
To download it, simply go to your browser’s add-on store. Search for NordVPN and download it with one click. From here, open the extension and sign in with your email and password from before. Now, before you connect, perform these important steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Click on “Security and Privacy.“
- Enable “Stop WebRTC Leaks” and “Location Spoofing.“
- Make sure you also enable “Auto-Reload All Tabs.“
Once this is set up, go to the VPN tab in your NordVPN extension (globe icon) and click once on the United Kingdom to connect to that server. NordVPN will now refresh all your opened browser tabs (because of Step 4) and you’re ready to go. Now, all you have to do is visit Sky Sports, sign in, and watch anything you like.
We assume you already have an account if you’re a Brit in the United States. If you’re American and have no connections to the UK, it’s the same. However, you’ll need to sign up first. Bear in mind that this service isn’t free, so be ready to shell out a bit of money.
Best VPNs to Watch Sky Sports in the USA
Unblocking a site that easily detects VPNs is no easy fit. Pick up the wrong provider and you’re doomed to fail. Well, you don’t have to wander around and look for one. The three VPNs that work with Sky Sports in the US are below – check them out.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is our obvious #1. As you’ve seen, this provider enables you to watch Sky Sports in the USA thanks to its powerful browser extension. This extension allows for location spoofing, which aligns your browser location to the VPN server you’re using. Quite clever.
This provider has all you need even if you use it to unblock BBC iPlayer, another UK platform. Streaming support is excellent and its unblocking prowess lets you access any site. In addition, you’ll find its NordLynx protocol fascinating, as it provides stability and speed.
NordVPN’s apps are equipped with Threat Protection that many people praise. It blocks trackers and ads, often found on streaming sites. Furthermore, there’s Meshnet, which allows for remote file sharing and device access, which you won’t find in any other Sky Sports VPN.
NordVPN also offers excellent security, which for this scenario, isn’t the most vital criterion. However, it’s good to know you can use a Double VPN, enable obfuscation, or protect your emails and passwords with the Dark Web Monitor. The provider works on all devices.
We think this is important for watching Sky Sports in the USA on the fly. You can log in on your phone or tablet and watch sports or award-winning movies. NordVPN works on 10 devices at a time, which is more than ExpressVPN or CyberGhost, its close rivals.
Overall, the provider is effective, affordable, and simple to set up. We think this is ideal for less tech-savvy people in the USA to access Sky Sports. As said, it’s risk-free too, so pick it up, see how you like it, and get a refund in 30 days if you don’t click with it.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has a proven track record of quality and exquisiteness. While it doesn’t have as many servers or advanced features as NordVPN, it’s great for unblocking Sky Sports in America. It’s worth noting that it offers several VPN locations in the UK and Ireland.
Its servers are equipped with obfuscation, which turns on as soon as you connect. This masks your VPN traffic, making it easier to access this site despite its anti-VPN measures. ExpressVPN relies on Lightway, a proprietary protocol that accentuates security and speed.
In our tests, ExpressVPN performed on par with NordVPN, say for a few barely noticeable speed reductions. ExpressVPN’s 10 Gbps servers are optimized for streaming but you can also use them to download torrents, go on the dark web, or play games online.
ExpressVPN also has Smart DNS, which is often used for watching content on non-VPN-supported devices. We love the simplicity of this provider. Its apps look identical on all platforms and allow for prompt connections to any of the 3,000+ servers worldwide.
Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN can block ads and trackers, even offering Parental Control. The provider supports 8 concurrent connections, which should be enough. After all, there’s support for Smart TVs and even tvOS for watching Sky Sports in the US on a big screen.
ExpressVPN’s price is a tad higher than NordVPN’s. However, its discount is readily available for you below. You can get a 49% price reduction thanks to 3 free months for its annual plan. Don’t forget a 7-day free trial on mobile devices that lets you test ExpressVPN for free.
3. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access combines uncombinable – affordability and quality. Its 2-year plan with 4 free months is an exquisite deal. One worth using to access Sky TV in the United States. It offers 30,000 servers, hundreds of which are in the UK and Ireland.
With WireGuard, this provider performs like an F1 car and allows you to watch Formula 1 live as well. Private Internet Access is no slouch stability-wise. Its robust servers are made for streaming without buffering and other interruptions. PIA has another big advantage.
It has unlimited simultaneous connections, beating NordVPN and ExpressVPN in this aspect. For a price this cheap, you can protect ALL devices and watch Sky Sports in the USA on your phone, tablet, Smart TV, laptop, etc. Keep in mind you won’t find native Firestick support.
On the brighter side, PIA excels in security, which is the provider’s main appeal. It uses 256-bit encryption and features like MACE, split tunneling, and Multi-hop to preserve your privacy. Users love its no-log policy because it guarantees strict privacy at all times.
Private Internet Access has Smart DNS like the other providers. These DNS addresses are easy to get to work for streaming and watching geo-restricted content. Being a premium provider, it comes with unlimited bandwidth to watch sports without restrictions.
PIA also has a clever browser extension that allows you to hide your IP and block ads. It’s not on the level of NordVPN’s equivalent. The provider also won’t work in China compared to the two bigger boys. These boys are more expensive too, which explains everything.
Can’t Watch Sky Sports in the US With a VPN? Try This!
If you’re struggling to unblock this streaming platform, one of the following issues needs to be resolved:
- The VPN IP address you’re using is blacklisted by the platform
- Your IP is leaking
- The VPN isn’t capable enough of unblocking Sky Sports in the US
- You’re not using a server in the UK or Ireland
- Caches and cookies in your browser are giving out your actual location
These are usually minor setbacks that can be solved in a few seconds. We first recommend using a capable provider from our list. NordVPN is a wholehearted recommendation because of its reputable browser extension with location spoofing that works extremely well.
If you still can’t access the site, check for IP leaks – you can use any site you find online. Make sure you’re using a server in the UK or Ireland and try to experiment with different servers in these countries. For example, instead of a server in London, use the one in Edinburgh.
We also want to stress how important it is to clear your browser data. Cookies and cache can easily give out your location to any website you visit. If your location is leaking, the VPN’s IP address won’t help. Clear your browser data, connect to a VPN, and try again.
Last but not least, consider reaching customer support. NordVPN’s 24/7 support answers in a minute and will swiftly solve the problem for you. They’ll tell you what to do to unblock Sky Sports in the US, and if they can’t help, you’ll be issued a refund, no questions asked.
Can You Watch Sky Sports for Free in the USA?
Let’s be clear – this streaming platform isn’t free. Now, if you think about using a free VPN, we don’t advise that because none of them will work. Free providers also offer no servers in the UK, at least most of them, and those that do, again, can’t unblock Sky Sports.
The best way to watch it for free is with NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee or a 7-day free trial claimable on Android devices. Now, many people found that you can access the service through third-party websites like Time4TV or FreeStreamsLive.
However, our team is strongly against them because they essentially pirate the content from other streaming services. Watching copyrighted content on these websites is, therefore, extremely dangerous, and will result in legal problems if you’re detected.
Such websites resort to all kinds of deceptions. They’re riddled with malware and trackers to steal your private information. Most of them also sell your collected data to make money since they’re giving you access to Sky TV for “free.” Well, nothing’s ever free, right?
Summary
In summary, the best and most efficient way to unblock and watch Sky Sports in the USA is with a VPN. NordVPN remains the numero uno and with its browser extension, accessing this streaming site is a piece of cake. We also used NordVPN to access ESPN+ abroad, which is even tougher to unblock.
Other providers that work are ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. Free VPNs won’t work and watching Sky Sports on pesky streaming sites surely isn’t smart.
Besides, our solution is risk-free and devoid of cost if you claim a refund from NordVPN. Absolutely no reason not to give it a go.