How to stream Sky Sports in the USA
Sky Sports is home to the Premier League, domestic and international cricket matches, tennis Grand Slam tournaments, and more. It’s not cheap to watch either, so it’s all the more frustrating when you travel abroad and find you can no longer access the content you pay for. Copyright and licensing agreements dictate that Sky Sports is geo-blocked outside the UK and Ireland. To sidestep the restrictions and watch Sky Sports in the USA, you need a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN lets you connect to a server back home. In doing so, you receive an IP address for this location, which, when you access Sky Sports, makes it look as if you’re streaming from the UK or Ireland. The content is then unblocked, regardless of whether you’re actually in the USA. A VPN also encrypts your internet traffic and shields data from snoopers, a bonus that allows you to stream Sky Sports more securely.
We’ve included a quick summary of our favorite VPNs for watching Sky Sports in the US or anywhere else outside of the UK. We will cover each in more detail later in the article.
The best VPNs for streaming Sky Sports in the USA:
- NordVPN: Best VPN for streaming Sky Sports in the USA. Well over 400 servers in the UK. Also works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Fast with an audited no-logs policy and 24/7 support.
- Surfshark: Best value VPN. Fastest speeds for streaming. Servers in 100 countries and works with Sky Sports, ITVX, Now, and more. Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- IPVanish: Impressive speeds for streaming Sky Sports lag-free. No simultaneous connection limit. Provides 24/7 live chat support and includes an ad and tracker blocker.
- ExpressVPN: Reliable unblocker of streaming platforms such as Sky Sports and offers unlimited bandwidth. Strong security with encryption and excellent support, 24/7.
- CyberGhost: Particularly large server network including in four cities in the UK and Ireland for use with Sky Sports. Fast with excellent apps and even a Windows antivirus.
- PrivateVPN: One of the better unblockers on the market. This includes Sky Sports, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer. Beginner-friendly with free remote help and a no-logs policy.
- Hotspot Shield: Improved server speeds so you can stream Sky Sports lag and buffer-free. Servers in 80+ countries. Very strong encryption as well as split tunneling.
How to stream Sky Sports in the USA with a VPN
If you haven’t used a VPN before, you might not know how to stream Sky Sports in the USA. Luckily, it’s very straightforward, and you can save some time by following the step-by-step instructions below.
Here’s how to use a VPN to watch Sky Sports from the USA:
- Start by signing up with one of the VPNs listed below. We particularly recommend NordVPN for streaming Sky Sports in the USA.
- Download the VPN app that’s compatible with your streaming device. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- Log in to the VPN app and connect to a server in the UK or Ireland. This is how you change your IP address to unblock and stream Sky Sports in the USA.
- You should now be able to stream Sky Sports content live and on-demand via Sky Go without any further geographic restrictions.
- If you’re having trouble, clear your browser’s cookies to help Sky Go forget your old IP address and location. Failing this, switch servers or contact your VPN’s support.
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Our criteria for the best VPNs for streaming Sky Sports in the US
There are countless VPNs to choose from but some simply aren’t suitable for streaming Sky Sports from the USA. Many don’t offer enough servers, suffer from slow speeds, or provide inconsistent unblocking. With the best VPNs for watching Sky Sports in the USA, you can expect all of the following:
- Servers in the UK and Ireland across multiple cities
- Fast and unthrottled connections for lag-free streaming
- High level of encryption to keep your data secure
- No logging of any identifying data
- A minimum of seven simultaneous connections
- Live chat and email support, preferably 24 hours a day
Best VPNs to stream Sky Sports in the USA
Here’s our list of the best VPNs for streaming Sky Sports in the US:
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NordVPN sets itself apart from other VPNs when it comes to its ability to bypass content blocks. It works with Sky Sports and other UK streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer and ITVX. It’s an excellent option for Netflix, allowing you to access many different libraries securely. NordVPN’s global network spans more than 6,000 servers in 111 countries. You can use NordVPN’s fast NordLynx protocol to make streaming Sky Sports a cinch.
NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited on multiple occasions, including by Deloitte. Strong encryption lets you stream and browse with your privacy intact. DNS and IPv6 leak protection and a kill switch are available in all apps. NordVPN provides specialty Double VPN servers when you require an extra layer of encryption. It has one of the best ad blockers of any VPN we’ve tested.
NordVPN provides Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV apps. It has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. You’ll need to manually configure the connection to use NordVPN with a compatible router.
Pros:
- Works with Sky Sports, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and more
- Impressive server network that covers 111 countries
- Speeds are more than fast enough for lag-free streaming
- No-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte
- Packed with security features including an ad blocker
- Live chat support is available 24/7 via live chat and email
Cons:
- One month subscription plans are expensive
BEST VPN TO STREAM SKY SPORTS IN THE USA:NordVPN is one of the best unblocking VPNs around and has impressive speeds to boot. Works with Sky Sports, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Netflix. No-logs VPN with specialty servers and 24/7 support. You can try it out risk-free thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review.
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Surfshark is the fastest VPN we’ve tested, which makes it ideal for streaming sports, including on Sky. You can stream content in 1080p HD and even 4K resolution without having to contend with performance issues. We’ve successfully used it with BBC iPlayer, BritBox, and NowTV. Surfshark works with more versions of Netflix than most VPNs. Surfshark has over 200 UK servers in four cities and over 3,000 worldwide across 100 countries, the USA included.
Surfshark has an advantage over rival VPNs: its unlimited simultaneous connection limit. Live chat and email support are also included, as are specialty MultiHop servers for when your internet traffic needs extra protection. All data is encrypted with 256-bit AES (OpenVPN) or ChaCha20 (WireGuard). You’ll also benefit from a kill switch and protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks. Some Surfshark plans even include an antivirus and access to a data removal service.
Connecting to Surfshark servers requires downloading an app for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions are also offered, and several routers are supported with manual setup instructions provided.
Pros:
- Fastest speeds for streaming Sky Sports without interruptions
- Provides more than 200 servers in the UK in four different cities
- Connect an unlimited number of devices at the same time
- Higher subscription tiers even include an antivirus
- 24-hour live chat and email support
Cons:
- Quality of customer support is hit-and-miss
BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is the fastest VPN for streaming Sky Sports and offers very good value in the process with its one and two year subscription plans. There’s no connection limit and it’s also highly compatible with Netflix. Option of an antivirus. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
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IPVanish has servers in Birmingham, Dublin, Glasgow, London, and Manchester, making it easy to unblock and stream Sky Sports in the USA. Overall, some 2,400+ servers can be found in dozens of countries. This is also one of the fastest VPNs, so any streaming you do will be free from lag and buffering. Having tried IPVanish with Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix, we’ve found it reliable when bypassing restrictions from abroad.
This is a highly secure service with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch in all of its apps. This keeps your data safe from prying eyes, as does the zero-logs policy, which doesn’t contain any data by which you can be identified as a user. As part of your IPVanish subscription, you get 24-hour access to live chat and email support. What’s more, this VPN doesn’t limit the number of devices you can connect at once.
IPVanish has desktop (Windows and Mac) and mobile (Android and iOS) apps. Although it also has a command-line app for Linux there aren’t any browser extensions. IPVanish supports routers and provides manual setup guides.
Pros:
- Servers in five cities across the UK and Ireland
- Particularly fast speeds so you can stream Sky Sports from the USA
- Apps display each server’s ping and load
- Secure as many devices as you like simultaneously
- Owns its servers, reducing the risk of interference from third parties
Cons:
- Not the best support with some vague answers to questions
CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT:IPVanish has made impressive changes in recent years, improving its speeds and unblocking ability. It allows unlimited simultaneous connections and operates a no-logs policy. 24/7 live chat support included. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full IPVanish review.
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ExpressVPN has long proven to be a reliable unblocker of streaming services, be it Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, or Now TV. Our average global download speed with ExpressVPN was 261 Mbps, which is more than fast enough for live sports streaming, including The Premier League. Indeed, It’s a good option for P2P file-sharing. Thousands of servers are available in 105 countries, including multiple locations in the UK and Ireland. You’ll also find servers in over a dozen cities in the USA.
What’s especially impressive about ExpressVPN is its high level of security. This starts with 256-bit AES encryption, which is effectively impossible for hackers to crack. On top of this, the VPN has an effective kill switch and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. More recently, ExpressVPN added some valuable extras, including an ad blocker and password manager. Its support, among the best we’ve tested, is available 24/7 via live chat and email.
To connect to ExpressVPN’s servers, simply download an app for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV. VPN extensions are offered for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. You can even find custom firmware for straightforward setup with routers.
Pros:
- Consistent unblocker, be it Sky Sports or Now TV
- Large server network that covers 105 countries
- Fast speeds and absolutely no bandwidth throttling
- Valuable extras include an ad blocker and password manager
- Excellent quality support which is available around the clock
Cons:
- One of the more expensive VPNs on the market
- No option to pay anonymously in cash or with a gift card
EXTRA SECURITY FEATURES:ExpressVPN has plenty of UK servers for streaming Sky Sports and works with the likes of BBC iPlayer and Netflix too. High-speed connections and plenty of security features including a password manager. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
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CyberGhost is a great option if you regularly travel overseas because it has one of the largest VPN server networks, with over 10,000 servers in 100 countries. These include four cities across the UK and Ireland for accessing Sky Sports from anywhere. CyberGhost uses the WireGuard protocol, as evidenced by its very impressive server speeds. We could stream TNT Sports, Sky Sports, and multiple Netflix libraries without unblocking or experiencing performance issues.
You can secure up to seven devices at the same time with CyberGhost. All of these devices receive a high level of encryption (256-bit AES or ChaCha20). You don’t need to worry about your data escaping because there’s DNS leak protection and a kill switch that cuts your traffic should your internet drop. CyberGhost’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte. Should you have any questions, 24/7 live chat support can answer them.
CyberGhost apps can be found for all of the following: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. There’s also the option of Chrome and Firefox browser extensions for securing browser traffic only. With manual configuration, you can use this VPN with select routers.
Pros:
- Huge server network with more than 10,000 servers
- WireGuard protocol allows for very fast streaming speeds
- Ability to unblock not only Sky Sports but BBC iPlayer and ITVX
- No-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte
Cons:
- Unable to bypass restrictions in China
- Parent company with a questionable past
GLOBAL SERVER NETWORK:CyberGhost has more servers than most VPNs and ranks among the fastest VPNs for streaming. Includes a Windows antivirus and can block ads. Independently audited no-logs policy and allows seven devices. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
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PrivateVPN may not provide as many servers as the other VPNs we’ve covered, but it has respectable speeds and impressive unblocking, making it an ideal streaming VPN. It makes light work of Sky Go, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Now. It only has a little over 200 servers, but it covers 60 countries and cities, including Dublin, London, and Manchester. PrivateVPN won’t throttle your bandwidth, so you should rarely encounter interruptions when streaming content.
What we particularly like about PrivateVPN is just how beginner-friendly it is. The apps are simply laid out and feature a convenient quick connect button. Support is good too. Though not available 24 hours a day, it’s accessible via live chat and email. In fact, there’s even free remote help and installation. PrivateVPN is one of the few VPNs that operates a genuine no-logs policy. You can even pay anonymously in Bitcoin (provided you use a mixing service).
PrivateVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Note that manual configuration is required to use this VPN with Linux and select Wi-Fi routers.
Pros:
- Impressive unblocking, be it Sky Go, All 4, or ITVX
- Unlimited bandwidth so you can stream as much as you like
- Very easy to use with excellent apps and free remote help
- Genuine no-logs policy that takes your privacy seriously
Cons:
- Much smaller server network than most rival VPNs
- Live chat support isn’t available 24/7
BEGINNER-FRIENDLY:PrivateVPN stands out for its easy-to-use apps, live chat support, and free remote help. This makes it an ideal choice if you’re a first-time VPN user. Unlimited bandwidth and very strong unblocking. True no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
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Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.
Hotspot Shield is one of the better VPNs for streaming thanks to its server network that covers more than 80 countries, the UK and US included. It also helps that this VPN has made great strides when it comes to unblocking, accessing everything from All 4 and BBC iPlayer to ITVX. One further area in which Hotspot Shield has improved is its speed. With an average download speed of 271 Mbps in testing, it’s more than up to the task of streaming Sky Sports via Sky Go.
Your Hotspot Shield subscription includes 24/7 live chat and email support, though it’s easy to use this VPN with its user-friendly apps. When it comes to security, Hotspot Shield ticks most boxes in that there’s 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. It doesn’t keep any identifying logs of its users either. A handy split tunneling feature allows you to choose which website and app traffic can bypass the VPN connection if needed.
Hotspot Shield apps are available to download for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome and Firefox. Hotspot Shield supports various routers too and provides manual setup instructions for getting started.
Pros:
- Provides servers in 80+ countries including the UK
- Works with British streaming services like All 4 and Sky Sports
- Comprehensive security offering which includes high-end encryption
- Split tunneling feature for choosing which apps use VPN connection
Cons:
- Lack some features such as Double VPN servers
- Doesn’t accept Bitcoin as a method of payment
INCLUDES SPLIT TUNNELING:Hotspot Shield has plenty of servers in the UK and even more in the US. Particularly fast server speeds and an ability to bypass geo-blocking. Split tunneling so you can choose which apps use the VPN. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Hotspot Shield review.
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Finding the best VPNs for streaming Sky Sports in the USA: our testing methodology
We carry out a number of different tests on VPNs to help determine their quality and suitability for certain use cases. For streaming Sky Sports in the USA, we’re looking at their server speeds and ability to bypass content restrictions. Below, we explain our methodology and what the best VPNs for watching Sky Sports have in common:
- Servers in the UK and Ireland: You won’t be able to stream Sky Sports from the US without connecting to a server in the UK or Ireland. As such, we’ve only chosen VPNs with servers in these locations, preferably across multiple cities. All of the VPNs selected have servers in dozens of countries for bypassing most content blocks.
- Speed: Live sports streaming requires a fast and consistent connection which isn’t something all VPNs can provide. Our regular and thorough speed tests identify the fastest VPNs, all of which offer unlimited bandwidth and fast VPN protocols such as WireGuard. This lets you stream Sky Sports in high resolution without lag or buffering.
- Bypass blocks: Not all VPNs are capable of unblocking Sky Sports, even if they have servers in the UK and Ireland. Streaming platforms are known to blacklist known VPN IP addresses. It’s only those that are able to stay ahead of this that provide the consistency required. Of course, we’ve only chosen those VPNs that consistently bypass blocks.
- Security: A VPN may offer fast speeds or strong unblocking but fall short when it comes to security. This may be because it doesn’t properly encrypt your data or protect against leaks. We look for a VPN to provide key security features and test for DNS and IP leaks to make sure a VPN will keep you safe online.
- Privacy: It’s concerning that some VPNs keep extensive logs of users. These logs can include identifying data which may be sold to third parties. We’ve studied more than 120 VPN logging policies and, in doing so, have only chosen those that take your privacy seriously. This means a strict no-logs policy for anonymous browsing and streaming.
- Ease of use: A VPN should make it quick and easy to connect to a server and start streaming Sky Sports from the USA. We test each VPN’s apps to make sure they’re beginner-friendly but also look for each to provide customer support via live chat and email. It also helps if they provide setup guides to make getting started even simpler.
- Value for money: You don’t need to spend big money to get a quality VPN. With so many on the market, there are some great deals to be found. In fact, you’ll pay even less if you take advantage of the VPN discount coupons we’ve provided in this post. Remember, all of the VPNs covered even include risk-free money-back guarantees.
Our VPN testing methodology post goes into greater detail regarding our testing process, such as how we measure server speeds and test for leaks.
Watch Sky Sports in the USA: FAQs
Can I use a free VPN to stream Sky Sports in the USA?
Unfortunately, free VPNs don’t work with Sky Sports. Although some free VPNs do offer servers in the UK and Ireland, they don’t tend to have many and the small number of IP addresses are often already blacklisted by streaming platforms. This prevents you from unblocking and streaming Sky Sports in the US. What’s more, most free VPNs throttle bandwidth and this results in a lot of lag and buffering which leads to you missing key moments when streaming.
We also don’t recommend you use a free VPN to stream Sky Sports because your security and privacy may be put at risk. Issues include insufficient encryption, data leaks, and even extensive logging of personal data. You won’t find as many extra features either, be it an ad blocker or even customer support. Overall, a free VPN just doesn’t offer the kind of performance or protection required for streaming Sky Sports while in the USA.
Will using a VPN with Sky Sports slow my connection?
Although a VPN encrypts and routes your data via its server before sending it to its destination (Sky Sports), there doesn’t have to be a noticeable drop in your connection speed. This is particularly the case if the VPN uses a fast protocol such as WireGuard and offers unlimited bandwidth.
The distance of the VPN server to your physical location can have some impact too. However, we found that the speeds offered by the VPNs covered in this post were still plenty fast enough to stream Sky Sports in the USA in high resolution with no lag or buffering.
What can I watch on Sky Sports with a VPN?
If you use a VPN to watch Sky Sports from the USA, you’ll have access to a wide range of sporting events including the following:
- Football: Premier League, English Football League, FA Women’s Super League
- Cricket: ICC Cricket World Cup, The Ashes, England Test Matches
- Rugby Union: Gallagher Premiership, European Rugby Champions Cup, Six Nations
- Rugby League: Super League, Betfred Challenge Cup, NRL
- Formula 1: FIA Formula One World Championship
- Golf: The Open Championship, The Masters, The Ryder Cup, PGA Tour
- Tennis: Wimbledon, US Open, ATP Tour, WTA Tour
- Boxing: Sky Sports Boxing, Pay-per-view events
- Darts: PDC World Darts Championship, Premier League Darts
- American Football: Regular season and playoff NFL games and the Super Bowl
- Basketball: NBA regular season and playoff games, including the NBA Finals
- Cycling: Tour de France, UCI Road World Championships
- Motorsports: MotoGP, Superbike World Championship
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