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How to watch Sportsnet Canada in the USA and anywhere

How to Watch Sportsnet in the USA

If you're a sports fan in Canada, Sportsnet is the place to be. It's a top channel with 24/7 coverage of NHL, NFL, MLB, and UFC events. It also covers the WNBA, FA Cup, curling, rugby, WWE, and more.

However, Sportsnet is unavailable in the US due to licensing. Even if you're a Canadian, you can't access your account outside Canada. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions with a solid Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPNs can replace your real IP with a Canadian one and help you stream Sportsnet anywhere. Sounds too good to be true? Well, there's a catch – very few VPNs can do this consistently.

I tested 17 VPNs to find the ones that can access Sportsnet anytime, anywhere. Keep reading to learn how to watch Sportsnet in the US. I'll also share my top picks and show you how to set everything up in a detailed step-by-step guide.

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How to watch Sportsnet outside of Canada with a VPN

  1. Pick a good streaming VPN – I recommend NordVPN, now 74% off!
  2. Install the VPN on your device(s)
  3. Connect to a Canadian server in your VPN client
  4. Create a Sportsnet+ account while connected to a Canadian server
  5. Enjoy Sportsnet+ 24/7 in the US
Watch Sportsnet in US with VPN

Why do you need a VPN to stream Sportsnet in the USA

Sportsnet offers a lot of premium content but only has broadcasting rights in Canada. In other words, it has no license to show sports events in the US. Even in Canada, regional NHL games are subject to blackouts. If you go to the official site, you'll get a location error. Sportsnet+ mobile apps also won't show in your app store.

Sportsnet in USA
Sportsnet+ is only available in Canada error

When you visit Sportsnet+, the official website (or app) can see your IP address, which allows it to pinpoint your location. If this IP check says US, you'll get a location error. A good VPN, however, can spoof these checks by assigning you a Canadian IP. So, you can enjoy unlimited Sportsnet streams in the US simply by connecting to a Canadian VPN server.

Using a good streaming VPN can also help you bypass regional NHL blackouts. For example, if you live in the Flames region, you can watch all Canadiens games with a VPN.

Best VPNs for Sportsnet in 2024

  1. NordVPN - Overall best Sportsnet VPN for streaming from anywhere
  2. Surfshark - Best Sportsnet in US VPN with unlimited device support
  3. Proton VPN - Best beginner-friendly VPN to unblock Sportsnet

I tested 17 services for this guide, and NordVPN is my top pick for watching Sportsnet+ in the US. I was mainly looking for consistent IP masking, good speeds, and decent server coverage in the US. Naturally, I haven't even considered VPNs without solid privacy, security, and device support. Here are my three winners.

1. NordVPN - Overall best Sportsnet VPN for streaming sports anywhere

9.8
review-badge__icon Top VPN provider
Number of countries covered
Number of countries covered:
118
Number of servers
Number of servers:
7000
Support
Support:
24/7, email
  • Around 500 servers in Canada
  • Fastest speeds on the market
  • Robust unblocking capabilities
  • Only 10 simultaneous connections

NordVPN is the fastest VPN for streaming Sportsnet, thanks to almost 500 servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Its proprietary protocol, NordLynx, saved 90+% of my speed on most servers.

It's also the safest option due to its solid security setup and tight no-logging policy. Nord's Threat Protection feature blocks malicious websites, ads, trackers, phishing attacks, and risky apps. It also scans the files for malware as you're downloading them.

During my tests, I was able to access and stream Sportsnet without any lag or disconnects. I also got zero location or proxy errors. If you're a Canadian traveling to a more restrictive country, you can use Nord's obfuscated servers to bypass online censorship and stream Sportsnet.

Lastly, NordVPN is surprisingly affordable for the value you're getting. The 2-year plan starts at $2.99/month, and if you use a coupon, you can get 74% off the original price. With a generous 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test it completely risk-free.

NordVPN is my top pick for watching Sportsnet+ in the US or anywhere else. For more info, I recommend reading our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark - Best family VPN to watch Sportsnet in the USA

9.5
review-badge__icon Top VPN provider
Number of countries covered
Number of countries covered:
100
Number of servers
Number of servers:
3200
Support
Support:
24/7, FAQ
  • 120+ servers across Canada
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Advanced privacy toolkit
  • Some features cost extra

Surfshark is the best family option for Sportsnet because it supports unlimited simultaneous connections. With a single account, you can secure all the devices in your household and save a lot of money. I had zero issues accessing Sportsnet and never experienced any lag or instability.

It has 120+ servers across Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto, guaranteeing top speeds for US users. I mainly ran WireGuard during my tests and was constantly getting 90+% of my original speed.

I also liked Surfshark's privacy and security setup – its CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing messages. During my testing, I didn't experience any IP and DNS leaks. If you're in a censorship-heavy country, I recommend switching to OpenVPN, which activates the so-called "Camouflage mode" (obfuscation).

Surfshark offers the best value for the price – its subscription starts as low as $2.19/month for a 2-year plan. You should also check our Surfshark coupon page for an extra discount. You can use its 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service risk-free.

If you have a lot of devices to protect, Surfshark is the most affordable VPN for streaming Sportsnet+ in the US. Learn all about it in our full Surfshark review.

3. Proton VPN - Beginner-friendly option for unblocking Sportsnet

Number of countries covered
Number of countries covered:
110
Number of servers
Number of servers:
9200
Support
Support:
Email
  • Reliable Sportsnet+ access
  • Great speeds
  • 100% owned servers
  • Few P2P servers

If you've never used a VPN, Proton VPN is ideal for streaming Sportsnet+ in the US. It has a user-friendly interface and a reliable free version, which you can test before committing to a premium plan. It's one of our top VPNs for Canada for a reason.

Proton VPN has 449 servers in Canada, located in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. It also owns 100% of the hardware. Besides, it has a huge global network of 9200 servers in 110 countries, allowing it to provide smooth connections from anywhere. During my speed tests, it retained an average download speed of around 85% so that you can stream Sportsnet+ without any interference.

Proton VPN has WireGuard and OpenVPN tunneling protocols, as well as AES-256 encryption, making it extremely secure for everyday use and streaming Sportsnet+.

Proton VPN's pricing starts at $3.59/month, and you can test it risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our full Proton VPN review to see if it's a good fit.

Best Sportsnet VPNs comparison

Sportsnet+ VPN provider Rating Servers in Canada Average speed on Canadian servers from the US Lowest price Money-back guarantee
NordVPN 9.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅YesAround 500 servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver 482 Mbps $2.99/month ✅30 days
Surfshark 9.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅Yes120+ servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver 472 Mbps $2.19/month ✅30 days
Proton VPN 8.6 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅Yes449 servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver 365 Mbps $3.59/month ✅30 days

How I tested and selected these VPNs

Here are the metrics I was interested in during my testing and research for this guide:

  • Bypassing geo-restrictions: My picks had to be able to unblock Sportsnet+ for me consistently.
  • Servers in Canada and speed: I was looking for VPNs with a large and/or top-quality server presence in Canada. Also, I wanted a smooth experience without any errors and disconnects.
  • Supported devices: My picks had to support all popular systems and enough simultaneous connections.
  • Privacy and security: I was looking for solid VPN protocols, no-log policies, IP and DNS leak protection, and other essential privacy and security features.

During my research and testing, NordVPN ticked all the boxes, solidifying its #1 place among VPNs for streaming Canadian content. It effortlessly bypassed geofences, unblocking Sportsnet+ from the US for me. Speed retention stayed above 90% at all times, and the connection did not drop.

How to watch Sportsnet in the US: detailed guide

Sportsnet is a premium service, so you can't stream it for free. Depending on the current promotion, the team might give you a short free trial when you subscribe. There are two plans: Standard ($19.99/month) and Premium ($34.99/month).

Here's my step-by-step guide for watching Sportsnet in the US:

  1. Pick a solid VPN that has a number of servers located in Canada. I recommend NordVPN, now with a 74% discount.
  2. Download and install your chosen VPN.
    NordVPN app
  3. Connect to a Canadian server in your VPN client or app.
    NordVPN Canadian server
  4. Create a Sportsnet account and purchase a subscription. Sportsnet subscription
  5. Enjoy Sportsnet in the US! Streaming Sportsnet in USA

If your TV package includes Sportsnet, you can just connect to a Canadian VPN server and sign in to your account when traveling abroad.

Unblock Sportsnet from anywhere with VPN

Where can I stream Sportsnet?

You can purchase a Sportsnet subscription on the official website and stream it on your smartphone, tablet, computer, or TV. Here's a quick overview of the supported devices.

Device Supported models and operating systems Max resolution
Apple TV Apple TV 4th Generation and 4K 1080p
Chromecast Chromecast 3rd Generation, Ultra, and Chromecast with Google TV 720p
Amazon Fire TV Fire TV Stick 3rd Generation, 4K, Lite, and Fire TV Cube 720p
Xbox Xbox ONE, ONE-S, ONE-X, Series S, and Series X 1080p
PlayStation PS 4 and 5 1080p
Samsung TV 2018 and newer models 1080p
Ignite TV (X1) Xi6 – Rogers Ignite TV SmartStream 1080p
Android TV Android 7 or later 720p
iPad iOS 12 or later 1080p
Android Tab Android 7 or later 720p
Apple iPhone iOS 13 or later 1080p
Android phone Android 12 or later 720p
Web Desktop Web, Android Chrome Browser, and iOS Safari 1080p

Can I use a free VPN to stream Sportsnet in the USA?

I don't recommend using free VPNs to watch Sportsnet anywhere. Operating a VPN service is expensive, and "free" providers usually make money in nefarious ways. For example, they can sell your private data to marketers or cybercriminals on the dark web. Services like Hola will make your device a part of an illegal P2P network and use it to mine crypto. The exploitation options are endless. Most of these VPNs are also slow, offer zero protection, and can't even unblock Sportsnet.

I recommend using a solid VPN service like NordVPN instead. You can also use free trials and money-back guarantees to test multiple premium tools and find the best fit for your needs.

The trustworthy market leader, NordVPN is unrivaled when it comes to breaching geofences and unblocking content. Robust encryption, combined with advanced tunneling protocols and a vast server network will ensure uninterrupted access to your favorite sports in UHD.
9.8 /10
500+ servers in Canada alone
Fast speeds for UHD streaming
Robust unblocking capabilities

What can you watch on Sportsnet?

Your Sportsnet catalog depends on your package. Here's a quick overview of the available games.

Games Sportsnet+ STANDARD Sportsnet+ PREMIUM
National NHL games ✅Yes ✅Yes
Regional NHL games ✅Yes ✅Yes
Out-of-market NHL games ❌No ✅Yes
Stanley Cup playoffs ✅Yes ✅Yes
NHL live ❌No ✅Yes
MLB ✅Yes ✅Yes
NBA ✅Yes ✅Yes
WNBA ✅Yes ✅Yes
UFC ✅Yes ✅Yes
WWE weekly shows ✅Yes ✅Yes
WWE live events ❌No ✅Yes
Grand Slam of Curling ✅Yes ✅Yes
FA Cup ❌No ✅Yes
FA Women's Super League ✅Yes ✅Yes
United Rugby Championship ❌No ✅Yes
Gallagher Premiership ❌No ✅Yes
Super League Rugby ❌No ✅Yes
National Rugby League ❌No ✅Yes
FIBA ✅Yes ✅Yes

Conclusion

Since Sportsnet is exclusively available in Canada, VPNs are the perfect option to circumvent geo-restrictions. With them, you can stream Sportsnet content from anywhere. To watch Sportsnet in USA and abroad, get a VPN that will hide your real IP address and generate a Canadian one.

I tested 17 renowned services, and NordVPN stood out as the best VPN to watch Sportsnet in the US. It offers great speeds, solid security, user-friendly clients, and consistent access to Sportsnet. You can test it risk-free for 30 days and get your money back if it doesn't work for you.


You may also like to read:
How to watch CBC in US
How to watch CTV in USA
Watch Sky Sports in the US
Watch ITV in the US


FAQ

Is Sportsnet only in Canada?

Yes, Sportsnet is supported only in Canada. However, you can access a streaming platform with a reliable VPN, like NordVPN. Subscribe to one, select a server in Canada, and stream Sportsnet+ from anywhere.

Does Sportsnet Plus work in the USA?

No. Sportsnet is only available in Canada, but you can use a good VPN to access it from the US. I recommend NordVPN or Surfshark since they offer the best speeds, security, and geo-unblocking capabilities. Avoid free VPNs since they're usually slow, unreliable, and dangerous.

Can I watch Sportsnet outside of Canada?

No, Sportsnet+ isn’t available outside Canada. To enjoy it while traveling, you should employ a reliable VPN service. Simply connect to a Canadian server in your VPN client and register or log in to your Sportsnet account.

Why does Sportsnet have regional restrictions?

Sportsnet's regional restrictions usually apply to NHL games in different parts of Canada. The rights to these games belong to regional broadcasters. In other words, various regions have access to different regional games (for example, you'll get all Canuck games if you live in British Columbia or the Yukon). Therefore, some NHL events will be blacked out in your area.

How to get Sportsnet in Mexico?

You can access Sportsnet in Mexico with a good VPN. Some of the top choices include NordVPN and Surfshark. Simply buy a subscription, finish the installation, connect to a Canadian server, create a Sportsnet account, and enjoy.

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