How to Watch Sportsnet in the USA and Anywhere Else in 2024
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
- Pick a good streaming VPN – I recommend NordVPN, now 74% off!
- Install the VPN on your device(s)
- Connect to a Canadian server in your VPN client
- Create a Sportsnet account while connected to a Canadian server
- Enjoy Sportsnet 24/7 in the US
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.
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
- NordVPN - Overall best Sportsnet VPN for streaming from anywhere
- Surfshark - Best Sportsnet in US VPN with unlimited device support
- PrivateVPN - 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
113
6900
24/7, email
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Around 500 servers in Canada
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Fastest speeds on the market
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Robust unblocking capabilities
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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
100
3200
24/7, FAQ
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120+ servers across Canada
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86% simultaneous connections
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Advanced privacy toolkit
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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. PrivateVPN - Beginner-friendly option for unblocking Sportsnet
63
200
24/7
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Reliable Sportsnet access
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Good speeds
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100% owned servers
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Small server network
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Doesn't support WireGuard
If you've never used a VPN, PrivateVPN is ideal for streaming Sportsnet in the US. Its team can help you with the installation remotely. In my experience, though, the help wasn’t needed as the installation went smoothly and didn’t take long. It's one of our top VPNs for Canada for a reason.
PrivateVPN has only three servers in Canada, but it owns 100% of the hardware; it makes up in quality for what it lacks in quantity. The main downside of its tiny server network is poor performance across large distances (think Europe - Canada). However, PrivateVPN managed to keep around 80% of our speed from the US. On distant servers, I barely kept 13%. So, it's an excellent pick for unblocking Sportsnet in the US but not Europe.
PrivateVPN doesn't support WireGuard, so I recommend using OpenVPN UDP (switch to TCP if Sportsnet blocks it).
PrivateVPN's pricing starts at $2.00/month, and you can test it risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our full PrivateVPN review to see if it's a good fit.
Best Sportsnet VPNs comparison
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 |
PrivateVPN | 8.7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅Yes3 servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver | 399 Mbps | $2.00/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. NordVPN and Surfshark excel at both factors, while PrivateVPN favors quality over quantity.
- Connection stability: I wanted a smooth experience without any errors and disconnects. There's nothing worse than a VPN kill switch interrupting your stream every few minutes.
- 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.
- Price-to-value ratio: I always focus on the value I'm getting rather than the price itself. For me, Surfshark offers the best value for large families, even though PrivateVPN is cheaper.
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:
- Pick a solid VPN that has a number of servers located in Canada. I recommend NordVPN, now with a 74% discount.
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Download and install your chosen VPN.
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Connect to a Canadian server in your VPN client or app.
- Create a Sportsnet account and purchase a subscription.
- Enjoy Sportsnet in the US!
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.
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
Sportsnet is a premium streaming service exclusively available in Canada. Fortunately, you can use a good VPN to watch it in the US or anywhere else in the world. If you live in Canada, you can access your account with a VPN when traveling abroad.
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.