Best VPNs for MLB.tv to bypass blackouts
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Anna Zhadan
Contributor
MLB.tv is the home of Major League Baseball in the US, with the rights to show most of the matches. Unfortunately, MLB.tv imposes blackouts for local games, depending on where you are. For example, if youβre in New York, you wonβt be able to watch the in-market games of the New York Yankees. That is unless you use a reliable VPN service.
Luckily, VPNs can help you get around MLB.tv blackouts and watch any match you want, no matter where you are. Yet, not all of them are able to bypass geo-blocks.
Keep on reading to find the full list of the best VPN for MLB.tv and weβll walk you through their features, prices, streaming capabilities, and more.
Top 5 best VPNs for MLB.tv
- NordVPN β the best VPN for MLB.tv in 2023
- Surfshark β unlimited connections MLB.tv VPN
- IPVanish β cheap MLB.tv VPN provider
- ExpressVPN β secure and fast VPN for MLB.tv
- CyberGhost β MLB TV VPN with a wide server fleet
How to watch MLB blackout games with a VPN
Itβs easy to avoid blackouts on MLB.tv, no matter where you are. Hereβs what you need to do to watch blacked-out games:
- Sign up for a good VPN. We recommend NordVPN, 69% off now!
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a server in a location where your game isn't blacked out.
- Go to MLB.tv or open up the MLB.tv app and search for your game.
- Grab a drink and enjoy!
The best VPN for MLB.tv β our detailed list
Weβve tested out loads of VPNs to see if they can successfully avoid blackouts on MLB.tv to put together a list of our five favorites. Read on for advice on how to choose the right VPN for you.
1. NordVPN β best VPN for watching MLB.tv
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | 5,900+ servers in 60 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | π₯ Holiday Deal! Get NordVPN with 69% OFF + 3 months FREE!π₯ |
The best VPN for MLB.tv is NordVPN, because of the large number of servers in the US, nearly 2000 servers across 15 cities to bypass blackouts and watch MLB games all across the country, and blazing fast speed to enjoy lag-free streaming.
Even better, NordVPN uses NordLynx β its own modified version of WireGuard β to deliver incredibly fast and reliable speeds that average at 90% of the original speed retention.
Additionally, NordVPN boasts more than 5,900 servers in 60 countries. So youβll have a large list of locations to choose from. Which is especially useful when it comes to streaming. Hence why, NordVPN is great at bypassing MLB tv restrictions, as well as all the other main streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and BBC iPlayer.
Of course, protecting your online information is another essential function of a VPN. And NordVPN is probably the most secure one weβve tested. It has loads of excellent security features, like a kill switch that will stop your internet if your VPN connection drops, thatβll keep your data safe from cybercriminals and your government.
NordVPN users get access to 24/7 live chat customer support. And its prices are actually very reasonable, with plans starting from just $2.99/month, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
To find out more, read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark β affordable and fast VPN for MLB.tv
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more |
| Current deal: | π₯ Holiday deal! Get 82% OFF Surfshark + 4 months FREE π₯ |
Surfshark is one of the best providers around to watch MLB.tv, as it comes with more than 600+ servers in the US, spread across over 20 cities. So you can rest assured that MLB.tv blackouts will be a problem of yesterday.
Not to be outdone by any of the VPN market leaders, Surfshark uses the cutting-edge tunneling protocol, WireGuard, to deliver very impressive speeds averaging at 86% retention rate of the original speed. Which is great for watching live MLB game matches.
And if you get bored of watching baseball, you can also use Surfshark to unblock region restrictions on pretty much any streaming service you like. This includes Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
Besides, Surfshark comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can simultaneously stream as many MLB games on as many devices you wish.
It also has a lot of security features on offer to keep your data secure. Surfshark operates a strict zero-logs policy, which has recently been audited and confirmed, so you know no one is tracking your activity.
If you get any issues, you can contact the 24/7 live chat support. And itβs fantastic value for money, with prices starting at just $1.99/month, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Explore our Surfshark VPN review or do a Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison to make a well-informed decision.
3. IPVanish β best lightweight VPN for MLB.tv
| Based in: | United States |
| Servers/countries: | 2,200+ servers in 52 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | π₯ Holiday deal! Get 81% OFF IPVanish + 3 months free! π₯ |
If youβre looking for a lightweight VPN to help you avoid MLB.tv blackouts, IPVanish is an excellent option. While it doesnβt have dedicated servers for streaming, it works very well for accessing games on MLB.tv. This is largely thanks to the fact it has servers in 20 cities across the US.
However, it's not as awesome for bypassing geo-restrictions on some other streaming platforms, such as Hulu. But it can unblock Netflix and YouTube TV.
On a more positive note, IPVanish does offer fast and reliable speeds, with an average retention rate of 80% of the original speed.
Elsewhere, IPVanish has more than 2,200 servers across 52 countries and comes with unlimited simultaneous connections.
It offers good security features, including strong military-grade ciphers and decent protection against DNS or IP leaks. However, itβs based in the US, which isnβt a privacy-friendly country.
If you have any issues, you can contact its customer support via email or live chat. IPVanishβs pricing plans start from $2.49/month, and you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
To find out more, read our in-depth IPVanish review.
4. ExpressVPN β security-focused MLB.tv VPN
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers/countries: | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | π₯Holiday deal! Get ExpressVPN, now 49% OFF + 3 months FREE! π₯ |
ExpressVPN is another ideal VPN that works with MLB.tv. With servers in 15 US cities, youβll be able to bypass blackouts and watch MLB.tv without issues.
ExpressVPN uses the Lightway protocol, which is a modern variation of the famous and fast WireGuard protocol. So itβs not surprising that the VPN managed to retain 77% of the original internet speed during our tests.
In total, ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers distributed across 105 countries. You can use this massive server fleet for other platform streaming as well. ExpressVPN can unblock such streaming sites as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more, and more!
ExpressVPN doesnβt lack in terms of security either. You get a reliable kill switch for preventing data leaks if your VPN drops by accident. Thereβs also a threat manager that helps prevent malicious activity as well as third-party tracking.
ExpressVPN offers a 24/7 live chat in case you run into any trouble while trying to watch MLB.tv. And while the prices start from $6.67/month, you get to connect 5 devices.
For a side-by-side comparison, read our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN analysis or explore our Express VPN review.
5. CyberGhost β fast VPN for streaming content
| Based in: | Romania |
| Servers/countries: | 10,200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ |
| Current deal: | π₯Holiday deal! Get CyberGhost VPN, now 84% + 4 months FREE!π₯ |
If a buffering-free streaming experience is what youβre looking for, CyberGhost is what you need for MLB.tv. It has over 1356 servers in 11 US cities β one of the largest server networks in America.
CyberGhost uses the WireGuard protocol, which is part of the reason for its great speeds. Plus, it has over 10,200 servers in 100 countries in total. And during our testing, it retained around 86% of the original speed.
You can use this VPN for other streaming platforms you own. It can unblock libraries of Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.
CyberGhost has a bunch of features for security, including a market-standard kill switch. However, we found that this tool wasn't as reliable as we'd like, since it did leak our real IP address during the testing period. You also get NoSpy servers, which are managed by CyberGhost, so theyβre completely private from third-party peeks.
If any issues arise, you can contact CyberGhostβs agents via a 24/7 live chat. CyberGhost prices start from $2.04/month, and you get a generous 45-day money-back guarantee as well.
You can learn more in our full CyberGhost review.
6. Atlas VPN β affordable VPN for streaming sports
| Based in: | United States |
| Servers/countries: | 1,000+ servers in 42 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
| Current deal: | π₯ Holiday deal! Get Atlas VPN, now 86% OFF + 6 months FREE! π₯ |
Despite having the smallest server fleet compared to other providers on this list, Atlas VPN is an excellent VPN for streaming MLB games.
With servers in Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New York, and Phoenix, there is ample coverage on both coasts. And when the games are not on, you can also use the worldwide server network for torrenting and streaming.
Plus, with WireGuard available on all Atlas VPN locations, this guarantees top performance as well β Atlas VPN is among the top performers in the market, with fast and stable download speeds. Plus, all the premium American servers are completely streaming-friendly, guaranteeing that whenever you watch a game, the feed is completely stable, with no buffering or sudden interruptions.
When it comes to additional features, Atlas VPN also offers SafeSwap, rotating your IP address wherever you're connected, keeping you extra safe. There's also a data breach checker for your personal data, and a kill switch to protect your devices if the VPN connection suddenly drops.
For a low price of $1.64/month, this is one of the cheapest VPNs for MLB.tv β and everything else that you do online.
To find out more, take a look at our in-depth Atlas VPN review.
7. PureVPN β excellent all-around VPN for baseball
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers/countries: | 6,500+ servers in 65 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
| Current deal: | π₯ Get PureVPN, now 83% OFF + 3 months FREE! π₯ |
PureVPN is an excellent option for streaming β and it works really well with MLB.tv. With a massive fleet of over 6,500 servers in 65 countries, it can give you access to numerous worldwide services showing plenty of baseball games. In the US alone, servers cover 13 different cities, from Seattle to LA, New Jersey to Miami β youβll be able to jump around blackouts like a pro.
Thanks to the super-fast and secure WireGuard protocol, the performance is pretty excellent. The games were streaming in high-definition, with no noticeable lag or buffering issues, with only very rare connection drops.
PureVPN does well beyond baseball, too β itβs excellent with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and more. So thereβs something for everyone, even in the offseason. The split tunneling feature can also let you enable VPN only on specific apps, making your streaming and browsing experience as customizable as possible.
With the prices starting at $2.08/month, PureVPN is a solid all-around option for streaming. And in case you wonβt like it as much as we did, thereβs a 31-day money-back guarantee, so you can sign up without risking any of your hard-earned money.
To find out more, read our in-depth PureVPN review.
Best VPNs for MLB.tv compared
| NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | Atlas VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Ranking | ||||||
| Bypasses MLB.tv blackout | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes |
| Starting price | $2.99/month | $1.99/month | $2.49/month | $6.67/month | $2.04/month | $1.64/month |
| Servers worldwide | 5,900+ servers in 60 countries | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | 2,200+ servers in 52 countries | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries | 10,200+ servers in 100 countries | 1,000+ servers in 42 countries |
| Unblocks streaming platforms | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
| Free trial and a money-back guarantee | Yes, 7-day trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee | Yes, 7-day and a 30-day money-back guarantee | Yes, 7-day and a 30-day money-back guarantee | Yes, 7-day and a 30-day money-back guarantee | Yes, 1-day on a desktop, 3-day on Android, 7-day on iOS, and a 45-day money-back guarantee | Free version and a 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Review | NordVPN review | Surfshark VPN review | IPVanish review | ExpressVPN review | CyberGhost review | Atlas VPN review |
How we tested and selected these VPNs
When putting together our list of the best VPNs to use if you want to avoid blackouts on MLB.tv, we considered the following criteria:
- Whether it works with MLB.tv streams: This might sound obvious, but many VPNs arenβt able to bypass MLB blackout rules. So, we tested lots of options before choosing our top five, all of which consistently gave us access to games.
- Speed: Buffering is the last thing you want to deal with when watching baseball. Therefore, we chose VPNs that provide fast and reliable speeds for lag-free streaming to make sure you donβt miss a moment of that important match.
- Whether it has any relevant additional features: When choosing a VPN, itβs always worth considering extra features. Weβve called out a variety of extras in our list, including SmartDNS, GPS spoofing, and the Chameleon protocol.
- Customer support: This is crucial in case anything goes wrong. Therefore, each of the options on our list comes with live chat support.
- Price: When signing up for any long-term subscription, price is always important. In our list, we were careful to include a variety of pricing options to suit every budget.
- Security and privacy: Whatever your reason for wanting a VPN, itβs vital to pick one that will protect your online privacy. We have recommended a selection of VPNs that have a wide range of excellent security options to keep your data safe from cybercriminals. in addition, we look for features like audited no-logs policy, strong encryption, and speedy and secure tunneling protocols.
What are MLB blackouts?
MLB blackouts are instances where certain games aren't streamed on MLB.tv for users in the away or home team's region. This is due to local broadcasting companies in the US and Canada having exclusive streaming rights to certain games. For example, when the Atlanta Braves are playing, you wonβt be able to see the game if youβre also in Atlanta, regardless of whether local television is broadcasting it or not.
MLB rules also say that your location may be determined using various methods, including checking your IP address and addresses the users put in when registering.
You can check which MLB blackout restrictions apply to your region here by scrolling down and entering your zip code.
Alternatively, you can also take a look at the MLB blackout map:
Do I really need a VPN to watch MLB.tv?
MLB uses your IP address to determine your location and not show certain MLB games based on that, so if you want to watch blackout MLB, you will need to use a VPN to change your IP by connecting to a server outside the blackout area.
Once you have set up a VPN, all you need to do is connect to a server in a location where MLB.tv is showing the match, and you will be able to bypass these region restrictions. Then, you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the game.
How to use a VPN to bypass MLB.tv blackouts
Despite what you might think, itβs incredibly easy to bypass MLB blackout to watch whatever MLB games you like from wherever you are in the world. All you need to do is follow this simple step-by-step guide on how to get around MLB blackout:
- Choose a VPN that has a number of servers in the US. We recommend NordVPN.
- Download and install the software on your device, and complete the sign-up process.
- Connect to a server in an area that has access to the game.
- Head to the MLB.tv website, or download the MLB app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Enjoy cheering on your favorite MLB team.
How to avoid MLB.tv blackouts on PC
Itβs simple to get around MLB blackout if youβre watching on your PC via a browser such as Chrome or Firefox. Just follow these steps:
- Sign up for a VPN service that has a good range of servers in different cities across the US, such as NordVPN.
- Download and install the app, and complete the registration process.
- Log in to your VPN account.
- Connect to a server in a city in the US that has the rights to show the game on MLB.tv.
- Go to MLB.tv on your web browser, and start watching.
How to avoid MLB.tv blackouts on Fire TV or Fire Stick
You can watch any MLB.tv fixture you like on your Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick. To execute MLB tv blackout workaround on Fire Stick all you need is a VPN. Hereβs how to do it:
- Choose a VPN provider on your computer or smartphone. NordVPN is one of the best.
- Download and install the VPN app from the Amazon Appstore.
- Connect to a server in a location where the game youβre trying to watch is available.
- Open the MLB.tv app and enjoy the game.
How to avoid MLB.tv blackouts on Kodi
- Select a VPN on your computer or smartphone. NordVPN is our favorite.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device and finish the sign-up process.
- Download and install the VPN add-on on Kodi if thereβs one available.
- If the VPN provider youβve chosen doesnβt have its own Kodi add-on, you will need to download the OpenVPN add-on. Once youβve done this, youβll have to configure a manual OpenVPN connection. Your VPN provider will have step-by-step instructions explaining how to do this.
- Connect to a server in a location thatβs showing the match.
- Open the MLB.tv add-on on your Kodi and start watching.
How to avoid MLB.tv blackouts on Roku
- Download and install a VPN to your device β our top suggestion is NordVPN.
- Follow the VPN instructions to set it up on your router.
- Connect to a server where your wanted game is available.
- Open Roku when connected to wifi.
- Enjoy streaming the MLB.tv games without blackouts.
MLB TV VPN not working? Hereβs how to fix:
There can be some moments when a VPN seems to not work for bypassing MLB.tv blackout restrictions. There can be several reasons for this:
- Your VPN provider isnβt able to bypass geo-restrictions
- Your real IP address is leaking
- Cookies on your browser reveal your real location
- Media error, usually related to internet connection issues
Hereβs what you can try to fix these issues:
- Enable your VPNβs leak protection settings
- Clear cookies and cache on your browser and/or device
- Reboot and/or reinstall the VPN app
- Logout from your MLB account, and then login again
- Re-install the MLB.tv app on your mobile device
- Reboot your device
- Reboot your wifi-router
- Change your VPN provider
However, if your account was created without a VPN and using your real address, then, a VPN will not help you bypass the blackouts. Instead, you'll need to create a new account with a fake address in a different state. Unfortunately, that might also cause some payment issues, so check out the possibilities of alternative payment methods or using a virtual card.
Can you get around MLB blackouts with a free VPN?
Itβs very unlikely, as free VPNs almost always have a poor server infrastructure that means they will probably be detected by MLB.tv. Therefore, you wonβt be able to use it to bypass any blackouts.
And even if you do manage to get around MLB blackouts with a free VPN, youβll probably then have to deal with a lot of buffering. This is because most free VPNs donβt provide adequate connection speeds for streaming.
Even more worryingly, free VPNs are often very unsafe, and they often make money by selling your data to third parties. Consequently, we donβt recommend using a free VPN.
Alternatively, you could use a freemium VPN service, which is a free version of a reputable, paid VPN. Itβs worth bearing in mind, however, that these are usually much more limited than the paid-for options. For one thing, they generally struggle to bypass region restrictions on major streaming services. For this reason, we donβt recommend using one to watch MLB.tv.
Freemiums also tend to come with monthly data caps, which certainly isnβt great if you like to stream content. But if you do want to try one out, you could opt for Atlas VPN's freemium plan, which we talked about earlier in this guide. Atlas VPN is the only free VPN that can help with accessing MLB games but it comes with a data cap of 5GB a month. So if you're looking for high-quality, unlimited streaming, a solid premium MLB VPN is the best overall option.
Conclusion
If you want to watch all the baseball on MLB.tv, but youβre struggling with blackouts, all you need is a good VPN with plenty of servers across the US, and youβll never miss a moment of the action. All you need to do is use your VPN to connect to a server in a place that has the rights to show the game, and your device will appear to have an IP address from that location. This will then unblock the content for you.
Of course, this isnβt the only reason to use a VPN. In fact, a reliable VPN comes with loads of benefits. For one thing, you can use it to watch pretty much any streaming service in the world. Hence, if you want to watch BBC iPlayer from outside the UK or Hulu from outside the US, or even if you just want to try out a foreign version of Netflix, a VPN will be able to make this possible.
But even more crucially, a VPN is a vital cybersecurity tool. It encrypts your traffic, which will keep it safe from online hackers and other third parties. It also protects your information while youβre connected to public Wi-Fi.
Did you find everything you were looking for in this article? Let us know in the comments!
More VPN guides from Cybernews:
Best VPNs for watching Hulu in 2023
How to watch ESPN without cable from anywhere
FAQs
Why does my MLB app say blackout restriction?
If youβre blocked from watching a particular baseball match because of blackout restrictions, it means that the game isnβt available to watch in your region. Still, you can bypass these location restrictions by using a VPN to connect to a server in a location that does have access to the match.
Does NordVPN work with MLB.tv?
Yes, NordVPN works great with MLB.tv. In fact, NordVPN easily bypasses MLB tv blackouts. It has servers in many cities across the US, and it provides great, reliable speeds that are perfect for streaming live sports.
Does MLB TV block VPNs?
Yes, MLB TV actively tries to block VPN servers. So if your provider doesnβt rotate its IP addresses on its servers regularly, or if it keeps connecting you to the same server by default, you might find that youβre blocked from bypassing region restrictions on MLB.tv. Considering the massive fleet of 5,900 servers in 60 countries, NordVPN is your best bet at accessing MLB.tv.
How do I know if a MLB game is blacked out?
You can check if a MLB game is blacked out by taking a look at the US national blackout MLB games list, or checking with your zip code here.
Why does MLB blackout games?
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.
Does MLB TV blackout based on billing address?
MLB blackouts games based on your location, which is determined by a number of methods including checking your IP address. However, your billing address may also be used to determine your location, but this is not explicitly stated by MLB.tv.
Which VPN does Reddit recommend to avoid MLB.tv blackouts?
Reddit users deem NordVPN paired with a firestick as the best VPN to workaround MLB.tv blackouts. This VPN has a variety of US servers for you to pick from, offers excellent connection speeds to enjoy lag-free streaming, and is compatible with the most popular devices.
Comments
MLB clearly states that they use your IP address to determine your location, among other things, so a VPN should help, because it changes your IP address.
However, if it didn't work, you can try: 1) checking for IP leaks and enabling your VPN's leak protection, 2) clearing cookies and cache, 3) connecting to a different VPN server, 4) rebooting the VPN app, 5) changing your VPN provider.
We hope this helps!
We recommend keeping a VPN on at all times for you to bypass these geographic restrictions. A VPN will mask your location, making it appear as though you are accessing the streaming service from a different location where the game is not being broadcast on local television.
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