Best VPNs for MLB.TV in 2025
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MLB.TV is the home of Major League Baseball in the US, with the rights to show most of the matches. However, if you're an MLB fan, you’ve likely run into blackout restrictions when trying to watch your favorite team’s home games. For example, Detroit Tigers fans in Michigan can’t stream in-market games on MLB.TV because home broadcasts are typically blacked out due to local rights. Unless you use a reliable VPN service.
I tried many VPNs, and only a few actually helped me bypass blackout games and watch home games without restrictions anywhere. My tests showed that NordVPN is the best VPN for MLB.TV, followed by Surfshark and ProtonVPN, also used for watching restricted professional baseball games. Below, I’ll walk you through their features, prices, streaming performance, and more.
The best MLB.TV VPNs in 2025
- NordVPN – the best VPN for MLB.TV in 2025
- Surfshark – budget-friendly MLB.TV VPN for multiple devices
- Proton VPN – best free VPN to get around MLB blackouts
- ExpressVPN – great alternative for streaming MLB.TV
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
How to watch blackout MLB games with a VPN
MLB.TV blackouts happen when games are broadcast on local channels or restricted due to league contracts, even in the away team's market. A VPN helps bypass these restrictions by changing your virtual location, allowing you to access blackout games and stream them from anywhere, even while traveling. Follow our guide to change your location with a VPN and avoid MLB regional blackouts.
Why do you need a VPN to watch MLB.TV in 2025?
Before diving into our detailed VPN reviews, let's take a moment to understand why a VPN is useful for streaming MLB games. MLB.TV is a streaming service designed to broadcast out-of-market MLB (Major League Baseball) games, both live and on demand. However, it does not have the rights to show local games, meaning if your hometown team is playing, the game will be blacked out in your area, as only local cable providers have exclusive broadcasting rights.
With a VPN, you can watch blackout MLB games live on MLB.TV by changing your virtual location. This way, the platform will think you’re outside of the blackout area, and you’ll be able to stream the MLB game wherever you are.
The best VPNs for MLB.TV in 2025 – detailed reviews
Together with the Cybernews research team, I’ve reviewed and tested 41 to see if they can successfully avoid blackouts on MLB.TV, and put together a list of our four favorites. Read on for advice on how to choose the right VPN for the game day.
1. NordVPN – best VPN for MLB.TV in 2025
| US server locations: | 1970+ servers in 21 cities |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| Bypasses MLB blackouts: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get 76% OFF NordVPN + free Amazon gift card |
NordVPN is the best VPN for MLB.TV in 2025. I tested it myself to see how well it handles blackout restrictions, and with its extensive network of over 1970 US servers, I was able to watch the blacked-out games of my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, on MLB.TV.
During in-house tests of different VPNs for this guide, NordVPN was the fastest solution. When I streamed MLB.TV during a NordVPN speed test, I was impressed by how smooth the experience was – even while watching baseball games in 4K. Thanks to the NordLynx protocol – a faster and more secure version of WireGuard – I retained about 88% of my original internet speed. This meant I could enjoy high-definition, buffer-free baseball action without any interruptions.
I also enjoyed the SmartPlay feature that is integrated into all NordVPN apps. With this feature, streaming is not only fast but also completely private. With SmartPlay enabled, NordVPN changes the DNS server, hides your IP address, and encrypts the connection. For extra privacy, NordVPN also offers double VPN servers, which route your traffic through two separate servers instead of one.
With 7800 servers in 125 countries, NordVPN is a great VPN not only for streaming MLB.TV games, but also for unblocking the main streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and BBC iPlayer.
NordVPN users get access to 24/7 live chat customer support, which is handy if you face any issues. To bypass MLB.TV blackouts, you can get NordVPN for as low as $3.39/month – or use a NordVPN coupon to get an additional discount. Plus, there’s a 3-day free trial and a money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark – affordable and fast VPN for MLB.TV
| US server locations: | 600+ servers in 22 cities |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Bypasses MLB blackouts: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Now up to 86% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark remains one of the best – and most affordable – VPNs for streaming MLB.TV in 2025, offering over 600 US servers across 22 US cities, including major hubs like Chicago and Denver. This makes it easy to bypass MLB blackouts wherever you are. Its global network includes 3200+ high-speed servers in 100 countries, ensuring reliable access to content worldwide.
The provider leverages the advanced WireGuard protocol and, as shown during our Surfshark speed tests, consistently retains over 84% of original internet speeds, making it an excellent option for baseball fans expecting to watch live MLB games without buffering.
One of the main reasons I’ve placed Surfshark in second place is that it supports unlimited simultaneous connections. That means everyone in my household could enjoy unrestricted MLB.TV on different devices at the same time. Everyone under the same account could also unblock the most popular streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.I was also pleasantly surprised by its nifty CleanWeb feature, which helped me avoid all ads, even while streaming on a smart TV.
Surfshark is budget-friendly, but only if you opt for long-term plans – this can be a downside if you only need a VPN connection to watch MLB.TV. A monthly subscription costs $15.45/month, which is more expensive than NordVPN ($12.99/month) and Proton VPN ($9.99/month) monthly subscriptions. Fortunately, if you opt for the 2-year plan, you can enjoy Surfshark without a huge investment. Pricing starts at just $1.99/month. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for first-time users on all 12-month and 24-month plans.
3. Proton VPN – best free VPN to bypass MLB.TV blackouts
| US server locations: | 3400+ servers in 19 cities |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| Bypasses MLB blackouts: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get up to 64% OFF Proton VPN |
Proton VPN stands out as the only free VPN that reliably works with MLB.TV. In our recent tests, we accessed blackout MLB games using its US server locations without any issues. The free plan delivers consistent unblocking performance and robust security, making Proton VPN an excellent no-cost option for streaming geo-restricted MLB games.
Like Surfshark, Proton VPN uses WireGuard to provide blazing-fast speeds. However, the tunneling protocol is supplemented with the unique VPN Accelerator feature to further improve its performance. Therefore, the provider demonstrated an excellent 83% average speed retention rate during our Proton VPN speed tests.
Proton VPN includes a few specialty servers, such as the streaming category for improved geo-unblocking. I was easily able to access different MLB.TV live streams and recordings using Proton VPN’s various US servers. Naturally, the VPN is compatible with other popular streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Hulu, Max, and Disney+. Plus, Proton VPN’s network spans 13700+ servers across 122 countries, making it larger than NordVPN’s as of writing.
Proton VPN’s NetShield ad blocker will remove most display advertisements online, although it doesn’t always work with video ads. Either way, the tool will improve your security while browsing and increase loading times since less content will be displayed on web pages. Another noteworthy similarity with NordVPN is that Proton VPN permits 10 simultaneous device connections, which should be enough for most users.
Proton VPN pricing starts at $3.59/month, which is slightly more than NordVPN and Surfshark. However, the provider offers a completely free tier, making it more appealing to budget-conscious users. Unfortunately, this version is pretty limited and won’t work with MLB.TV. For this reason, I recommend testing Proton VPN’s premium version using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. ExpressVPN – capable alternative for bypassing MLB.TV blackouts
| US server locations: | Undisclosed number of servers in 18 cities |
| Simultaneous connections: | 8 |
| Bypasses MLB blackouts: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
ExpressVPN has an extensive Stream sports page, covering every type of sport, so it was worth trying to see how well it bypasses MLB blackout restrictions. In my tests using a Firefox private window on my desktop, I was able to bypass blackouts and stream games—but not without some disruptions.
During my first attempt, while connected to New York, I couldn’t access the New York Mets game, and the same happened with the Miami Marlins when connected to Miami. This is due to local blackout rules, although I could still listen to the game audio. However, once connected to the New York server, I could watch the Detroit Tigers without restrictions.
In rare cases, MLB.TV detected ExpressVPN (error 54113), but simply restarting the private window and signing in again resolved the issue, allowing me to normally reaccess MLB content.
Overall, my experience with ExpressVPN was relatively slow compared to other providers on this list. Streaming quality was generally high, with smooth live viewing, but I experienced some buffering when skipping through videos. Site loading felt a bit slow, but this may have been influenced by my home internet speed (100Mbps). Even so, during our ExpressVPN speed testing, its download retention averaged to 87% – more than enough for HD streaming.
ExpressVPN currently doesn’t disclose the exact number of servers in its network (a number previously mentioned was 3000). Still, it can boast a global network of 105 countries, including locations in 18 US cities, making it easy to find a server that works for your MLB.TV needs. It’s also compatible with other major streaming platforms and devices, including YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Apple TV+, Fire TV, and smart TVs. The MediaStreamer feature also allows streaming on devices like Roku.
ExpressVPN is more expensive than other providers on this list, with prices starting at $4.99/month on a 2-year plan. However, its 1-month subscription is still cheaper than that of Surfshark, being $12.95/month. While there is no free version or even a free trial, ExpressVPN still offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to try it out risk-free.
Top 4 VPNs for MLB.TV compared
If you're unsure which VPN works best with MLB.TV, I’ve put together a comparison table to help you evaluate and choose the right one for you.
| MLB.TV VPN | Starting price | Bypass MLB blackouts? | US servers | Total servers | Unblocks streaming services | Free trial or money-back guarantee |
| 1. NordVPN | From $3.39/month | ✅ Yes | 1970+ in 21 cities | 7700+ servers in 125 countries | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | 3-day trial on Android and a 30-day money-back guarantee |
| 2. Surfshark | From $2.19/month | ✅ Yes | 600+ in 22 cities | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more | 7-day trial on Android, iOS, and macOS and a 30-day money-back guarantee |
| 3. Proton VPN | From $3.59/month | ✅ Yes | 3400+ servers in 19 cities | 13700+ servers in 122 countries | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, HBO Max, Disney+ | 7-day trial on Android and iOS and a 30-day money-back guarantee |
| 4. ExpressVPN | From $4.99/month | ✅ Yes | Undisclosed number of servers in 18 cities | Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | 7-day free trial available exclusively for mobile devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee |
How we tested the best VPNs for MLB.TV
Together with our research team, I evaluated dozens of VPN services to find the best ones for bypassing MLB.TV blackouts while maintaining excellent connection speeds. As you can imagine, I prioritized providers with modern tunneling protocols, numerous US servers, and affordable prices. To narrow down the list, I researched VPNs that actually work with MLB.TV. Besides the hands-on testing we conducted in-house, I also reviewed user opinions on Reddit and other public forums and discussions.
For the in-house VPN testing, we have our own methodology that ensures a thorough and consistent evaluation of each VPN’s performance:
- US servers (50%). Servers in the United States are the most vital factor for bypassing state-level MLB blackouts because you need US IP addresses to access MLB.TV. As such, I only included VPNs that include an adequate number of servers in America and are also categorized by state or city. Naturally, I also checked if the VPNs can consistently unblock MLB.TV and get around its blackout restrictions.
- Connection speeds (30%). The next crucial metric is connection speeds, which determine whether the VPN will provide lag-free streams while watching baseball. I checked whether the VPNs offer modern tunneling protocols like WireGuard. After that, I tested connection speeds specifically while connected to US servers because that’s the most relevant location to MLB.TV users.
- Compatibility (10%). A worthwhile MLB.TV VPN must be compatible with your preferred sports-viewing device, whether a PC, a smartphone, a smart TV, or anything else. I evaluated the setup process, user interface, and features across various operating systems when testing each VPN app.
- Price (10%). It was crucial to judge whether each provider’s overall package is worth its subscription price. I also assessed free trials and money-back guarantees to ensure customers can test these MLB.TV VPNs before committing to long-term subscriptions.
Still wondering what an MLB blackout is?
MLB blackouts are instances where certain games (including playoff games) aren't streamed on MLB.TV for users in the opposing or home team's region. For example, when the Atlanta Braves are playing, you won’t be able to see the game on MLB.TV, if you’re also in Atlanta, regardless of whether local television is broadcasting it. Or, if the Houston Astros are playing at home and you’re also based in Houston, the match will be blacked out on MLB.TV, unless you use a VPN to change your virtual location or watch the game on the local channel that has the broadcasting rights.
MLB blackout restrictions occur primarily for two reasons. Firstly, it’s because broadcasting companies in the US and Canada have exclusive streaming rights to certain games. Secondly, MLB wants to encourage fans to attend the stadiums and watch the matches live.
Please note that the MLB.TV rules indicate that your location may be determined using various methods, including checking your IP address and the addresses users put in when registering.
You can check which MLB blackout restrictions apply to your region on MLB.TV's website by entering your zip code.
MLB.TV 2025 key schedule dates
Here you can find the key MLB schedule dates:
| Spring training start | February 20th, 2025 |
| MLB opening day (start of regular season) | March 27th, 2025 |
| Rivalry Weekend | May 16-18th, 2025 |
| MLB all-star game | July 15th, 2025 |
| Roberto Clemente day | September 15th, 2025 |
| End of regular season | September 28th, 2025 |
Can you get around MLB TV blackouts with a free VPN?
Unfortunately, it’s very unlikely that a free VPN for MLB.TV will be of any use. Free VPNs almost always have a poor server infrastructure, meaning MLB.TV will probably detect them.
Besides, most free VPNs don’t provide adequate connection speeds for streaming, are often unsafe, and usually make money by selling your data to third parties. Consequently, I don’t recommend using a free VPN for MLB.TV.
For example, even with Proton VPN’s completely free plan, which offers decent performance across its US server locations, we weren’t able to reliably bypass MLB.TV blackouts. As such, for a better and more consistent streaming experience, especially if you want access to more servers and faster speeds, a paid VPN is usually the smarter choice.
The best option is to take advantage of freemium VPNs, free trials, or money-back guarantees that premium providers often offer.
So, can a VPN work around MLB.TV blackouts?
Yes, a quality VPN like NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, or ExpressVPN can help you work around MLB.TV blackouts by masking your real location and assigning you an IP address from a different US city or state. This way, you can bypass the regional restrictions that prevent you from streaming certain games in the first place. As such, you can watch your favorite teams live, even if the broadcast is blacked out in your area.
Not all VPNs are effective, though – only a handful consistently bypass MLB.TV’s advanced detection systems, so choosing a reputable provider is key.
Beyond bypassing blackout restrictions, a VPN also encrypts your internet traffic, safeguards your data on public Wi-Fi, and lets you securely access your home MLB broadcasts while traveling. Features like secure tunneling protocols, DNS masking, and a broad selection of US servers make this possible.
FAQ
Does MLB.TV work with a VPN?
Yes, MLB.TV works with a VPN on any device, such as phones, computers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles – as long as you choose a reliable one. Some of the best VPNs for MLB.TV are NordVPN and Surfshark.
Why does my MLB app show a blackout restriction?
If you’re blocked from watching a particular baseball match because of blackout restrictions, it means that the game isn’t available to watch in your region. Still, you can bypass these restrictions by using a VPN to connect to a server in a location that does have access to the match.
Does MLB.TV block VPNs?
Yes, MLB TV actively tries to block VPN servers. So, if your provider doesn’t rotate its IP addresses on its servers regularly or keeps connecting you to the same server by default, you might find that your VPN doesn’t work with MLB.TV. Considering the massive fleet of 7800 reliable servers in 125 countries, NordVPN is your best bet for accessing MLB.TV.
Why does MLB.TV have blackout restrictions?
MLB blackouts occur because streaming providers seek to have exclusive broadcasting rights in their local networks and aim to attract MLB fans to live stadium games.
Is MLB.TV blackout based on billing address?
MLB blackout games are based on your location, which is determined by several methods, including checking your IP address. Your billing address may also be used to determine your location, but MLB.TV does not explicitly state this.
