Best NBA League Pass VPNs to watch local NBA games
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The 2025–26 NBA regular season is in full swing, but not every game is accessible to fans in the US and Canada. Even with NBA League Pass, regional and national blackouts still block broadcasts tied to exclusive deals with major networks, such as NBC, ESPN, ABC, and Amazon Prime Video.
That’s where the best NBA League Pass VPNs can help. By masking your location and routing traffic through another country, a VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions and unlock the full League Pass catalog.
After testing 41 of providers with our research team, I found NordVPN to be the most reliable choice, delivering fast speeds, stable access, and strong privacy. Below, I look at the top 5 VPNs and how to use them to stream every game without limits.
Comparison of the best VPNs for NBA League Pass
I've compiled key details into a table to help you choose the right VPN for NBA League Pass. It highlights each provider’s number of US server locations, speed retention test results, and pricing, allowing you to compare them side by side.
| VPN | Rating | Can bypass NBA League Pass blackouts? | Locations in the US | Speed retention | Starting price |
| 1. NordVPN | ✅ Yes | 39 | 80% | $3.49/month | |
| 2. Surfshark | ✅ Yes | 24 | 81% | $2.49/month | |
| 3. Proton VPN | ✅ Yes | 22 | 78% | $2.99/month | |
| 4. ExpressVPN | ✅ Yes | 50 | 61% | $2.49/month | |
| 5. CyberGhost | ✅ Yes | 11 | 78% | $1.59/month |
How to bypass NBA League Pass blackouts with a VPN
- Subscribe to a reputable VPN and download the app – I recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF
- Install the VPN app on your device
- Connect to a server in a state that streams your local team
- Clear browsing data and cookies, as they can give away your location – I recommend using incognito mode for streaming
- Open NBA League Pass and enjoy the games
Best NBA League Pass VPNs – detailed list
To bypass the NBA League Pass blackouts and overcome geo-restrictions, you’ll need a robust and optimized VPN service. Using a VPN for the NBA can make it seem as if you’re located in a region where blackouts don’t apply, allowing you to watch the games with no issues due to encrypted traffic. While NordVPN is my top choice for streaming NBA League Pass, other providers, such as Surfshark, Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost, are also excellent options. These providers offer incredible speeds, multi-device support, and robust security.
1. NordVPN – best VPN to stream NBA League Pass
| Locations in the US: | 55 |
| Servers: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Streaming sites: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
The best NBA League Pass VPN is NordVPN. It has a huge server fleet – over 9,500 servers in 149 countries and effortlessly bypassed blackouts during my tests.
Servers. NordVPN has over 3400 servers in the US across 55 cities and 300+ Canadian servers in 3 locations. This is an impressive selection that will enable you to easily bypass most blackouts and other state-level restrictions.
Speeds. NordVPN stands out as one of the fastest VPNs on the list. It employs its proprietary NordLynx VPN protocol, which I found highly effective during my tests. On average, it maintained approximately 80% of the original connection speeds, allowing me to stream NBA games without any buffering. In fact, I often forgot I was even connected to a VPN.
Streaming. With NordVPN, streaming the NBA was seamless from the start. There was no need to change any settings, as it worked perfectly right away. It also had no issues unblocking popular platforms like Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video, making it my top choice for consistent streaming performance. Plus, NordVPN provides a Smart DNS feature, enabling access to geo-restricted content on devices that don’t support VPN connections.
It offers several plans starting at $3.49/month. As a bonus, if you’d like to access NBA League Pass with NordVPN for free, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 3-day free trial.
To find out more, read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – low-cost VPN for NBA League Pass
| Locations in the US: | 24 |
| Servers: | 4,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Streaming sites: | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more |
Surfshark is another top candidate when it comes to bypassing NBA League Pass blackouts. It’s one of the best choices to stream NBA games because of its affordable price, blazing-fast speeds, and unblocking capabilities. Save big with Surfshark discount code: OFFCN.
Servers. Surfshark offers 4,500 servers across 100 countries, with more than 600 servers located in the US. While this is fewer than NordVPN, Surfshark's servers are spread across 24 US cities, one of the most varied connection options on this list. This makes Surfshark an excellent option for bypassing NBA League Pass blackouts. During my testing, I was able to access all games without any problems.
Speeds. This VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, known as one of the fastest solutions out there. With it, Surfshark was slightly faster than NordVPN during my tests, retaining around 81% of my download speed on average. This allowed me to stream without any buffering, ensuring a smooth viewing experience.
Streaming. I was able to easily unblock NBA League Pass with Surfshark while using the first server I connected to. I also tested other services like Netflix, HBO Max, YouTube TV, and BBC iPlayer, and Surfshark handled them well. While slightly behind NordVPN, its reliable access to streaming platforms still makes it a solid competitor.
You can try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee or a 7-day free trial. Premium plan prices start from $2.49/month.
Read our comprehensive Surfshark review to learn more.
3. Proton VPN – speedy VPN with numerous servers worldwide
| Locations in the US: | 22 |
| Servers/countries: | 20,300+ servers in 148 countries |
| Streaming sites: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, HBO Max, Disney+ |
Proton VPN is an excellent choice for bypassing NBA League Pass blackouts. It guarantees blazing-fast speeds and consistent unblocking with its impressive server network.
Servers. Proton VPN has the most widespread server network of all the VPNs on this list, boasting over 20,300+ servers across 148 countries. Moreover, it covers 22 cities in the US with over 5585 servers, making it especially easy to bypass regional blackouts in your state.
Speeds. Proton VPN showed excellent connectivity results during my latest tests. I connected to servers in the US, and the average download speed retention rate was 78% with the WireGuard protocol. This means you’ll have no trouble streaming the NBA in UHD quality, no matter where you are.
Streaming. I had no trouble using Proton VPN to unblock NBA League Pass as well as other US-exclusive streaming services like Hulu and HBO Max. The server abundance meant that I didn’t encounter any issues with blocked or overused IP addresses.
Proton VPN has a free tier, although it isn’t great for unblocking NBA League Pass. Premium plans start at $2.99/month, and they have a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to test the service.
Take a look at our in-depth Proton VPN review.
4. ExpressVPN – secure NBA League Pass VPN
| Locations in the US: | 50 |
| Servers/countries: | Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries |
| Streaming sites: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
ExpressVPN is another good choice to bypass NBA League Pass blackouts. The provider delivers good connection speeds and excellent security.
Servers. The provider's servers are spread across 105 countries. It has servers in all 50 US states, making it undoubtedly one of the best VPNs for the US and bypassing state-level blackouts.
Speeds. ExpressVPN uses its own proprietary Lightway protocol, which, in my experience, performed well. It’s a modern take on WireGuard, and during my latest tests, it maintained an average of 61% of the original connection speeds. While it's a bit slower than other providers on my list, the streaming experience remained smooth, with no noticeable buffering.
Streaming. ExpressVPN provided strong streaming unblocking, allowing me to bypass NBA geo-restrictions smoothly. It also handled Hulu, Netflix, YouTube TV, and HBO Max effectively, though I did notice it took a bit more time to find the right server compared to the top picks.
You can get ExpressVPN starting from $2.49/month, and allows you to connect to up to 14 simultaneous devices.
Visit our detailed ExpressVPN review and learn more about the provider.
5. CyberGhost – worthy VPN with a wide range of locations
| Locations in the US: | 11 |
| Servers/countries: | Servers in 100 countries |
| Streaming sites: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ |
Last but not least is CyberGhost – a worthy VPN for NBA League Pass. Rich in locations and features, CyberGhost is a fast and easy-to-use VPN service.
Servers. CyberGhost offers servers in 100 countries, including 11 locations in the US. While I was able to unblock NBA League Pass successfully, it's worth noting that the coverage for US locations is the lowest on this list.
Speeds. I was really impressed by CyberGhost's connection speeds. It uses the WireGuard protocol, and during my tests, it retained about 78% of the initial speed, which is similar to Proton VPN’s performance.
Streaming. Using CyberGhost, I successfully bypassed NBA League Pass blackouts, though I did need to switch a few servers to find one that worked. It also unblocks other streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and YouTube TV. I found its specialized streaming servers particularly helpful for ensuring a smooth experience across all platforms.
The price for CyberGhost varies depending on the duration of the subscription. The starting cost is $1.59/month with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Check our detailed CyberGhost review and find out more about its features.
What are NBA League Pass blackout restrictions?
NBA League Pass is designed for watching out-of-market NBA games, meaning you can’t use the service to watch local games that are typically blacked out. These blackouts occur because local TV providers or national TV channels, such as NBC, ESPN, and ABC, own rights to these games. As such, League Pass doesn’t have the rights to these games and can’t stream them.
This year, the NBA season has roughly 1,230 regular-season games, and around 250 of those games are exclusively available on NBC, Peacock, ESPN, ABC, and Amazon Prime Video. Moreover, local team games are blacked out because of regional broadcasters owning the rights. That leaves roughly 900 out-of-market games available on NBA League Pass.
Determining which games are blacked out in your area is simple. If you try to stream a game that’s subject to a local blackout on NBA League Pass, you’ll see a message like this: "This game is not available LIVE on NBA League Pass because it is being broadcast on a channel in your local market. Subscribers can listen live or watch 3 days after the game."
Why is NBA TV blocked in my area?
NBA TV is subject to the same blackout restrictions as the rest of the content on NBA League Pass. If a local team’s game is being broadcast on NBA TV, it will be blacked out for viewers in that area.
NBA League Pass subscriptions include NBA TV, which functions similarly to sports channels like ESPN or ABC. It offers access to additional games throughout the season. However, just like with NBA League Pass, local broadcast rights still apply, and blackouts will occur if the game is being shown on a regional channel.
Does a VPN work with NBA League Pass?
Yes, a VPN is an effective solution for bypassing NBA League Pass blackouts. The service determines your location based on your IP address, and a VPN allows you to change your IP address to make it appear as if you're in a different state or country. With a secure and reliable VPN, you’ll have access to plenty of US and Canadian servers, allowing you to avoid regional restrictions while keeping your internet connection secure. The VPN hides your real IP address, ensuring your location stays private and allowing you to enjoy blacked-out games without interruption.
How to bypass NBA League Pass blackouts on desktop – detailed guide
You can watch local NBA games that are geo-restricted using a VPN. This NBA League Pass blackout workaround allows you to change your IP address, making it appear like you're in a location where blackout restrictions don’t apply. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to watch blacked-out NBA games.
Step 1. Subscribe to a VPN service
First, choose a VPN service with a large number of servers across the US and Canada. My top recommendation is NordVPN, which has over 3400 servers in the US and more than 300 in Canada. During my testing, it easily unblocked NBA games. Having a VPN with many server options is crucial because streaming services often block VPN IP addresses, so more servers increase your chances of finding one that works.
Step 2. Download and install the VPN app
Download and install the VPN app on the device you plan to watch NBA games on. For the best experience, choose a VPN provider with wide compatibility, allowing you to install it on multiple devices like your computer, phone, tablet, or even a smart TV.
Step 3. Connect to a server in a supported region
Once your VPN app is set up, connect to a server in a state where blackout restrictions don’t apply. For example, if a game is blacked out in Florida, choose a location like Texas or California. With NordVPN, I found it very easy to connect to a different state by simply searching for my chosen city and clicking on it.
Step 4. Access NBA League Pass and start streaming
While connected to the VPN, open NBA League Pass and start streaming. To prevent any cached data or cookies from revealing your location, I recommend using your browser in incognito mode.
How to bypass NBA League Pass blackouts on mobile
Watching local games on your mobile is more difficult since the app requires you to enable location services (GPS). This means that a VPN may not be enough to bypass blackouts, and you will need to enable GPS spoofing.
Not all VPNs offer GPS spoofing, but one of my top picks, Surfshark, has a GPS spoofing feature that will help you unblock NBA League Pass on Android devices. Here’s what you have to do:
- Choose a robust VPN with a GPS spoofing function – I recommend Surfshark
- Install the VPN app and launch it
- Go to Surfshark’s Settings -> VPN Settings -> Advanced Settings and toggle on Override GPS location; follow Surfshark’s instructions to complete the setup
- Connect to a server as close as possible to a zip code that will allow you to watch your desired team without restrictions
- Create an NBA League Pass account
- Sit back and enjoy
iPhone users can try GPS spoofing by jailbreaking their phone; however, I don’t recommend doing this, as it will void your phone’s warranty and make your iPhone susceptible to cyberthreats. Moreover, it may interfere with the downloading and updating of apps from the App Store.
The best way to avoid the app blocking your wanted games is to simply watch them on the browser.
Get NordVPNNBA League Pass VPN not working?
So your VPN is all set up, but you still can't stream NBA League Pass? There are various potential reasons for this. Here are some solutions that could help you:
- Try different servers or protocols. Some servers can reject connections if they’re overcrowded. Try reconnecting to different servers or using different protocols, such as OpenVPN or IKEv2.
- Try using different browsers. It seems that Brave is sometimes better at unblocking restricted streaming services than other browsers.
- Make sure to clear browser cache and cookies. Doing this will refresh the website and solve the loading issues.
- Reconnect the VPN service. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the VPN service. If you’ve recently updated the app, there might be some connection issues.
- Check your internet connection. A poor internet connection might be part of why NBA League Pass or your VPN is not working. Make sure your internet connection has stable speeds and that the router is functioning properly.
- Change DNS settings. With the default DNS settings, the majority of streaming services and smart TVs perform at their best. Hence, switching to the default setting might be beneficial.
- Try a better, reputable VPN. Use a trustworthy premium VPN like NordVPN or Surfshark with updated software to maximize your streaming performance.
FAQ
What’s the best NBA League Pass VPN?
NordVPN is the best NBA League Pass VPN. It covers multiple US locations and has more than 3400 servers in the US alone. It’s the most reputable VPN on the market with fast protocols, speedy streaming, and next-gen encryption.
Are NBA Playoff games blacked out?
Yes, NBA Playoff games can be subject to blackouts. According to the NBA Help Center, Canadian and US fans won’t be able to access All-Star Weekend or the playoff games, as these will be televised locally and only available in the NBA League Pass archives later.
What NBA teams are blacked out in my area?
You can find out which NBA teams are blacked out in your location by going to the official NBA League Pass page and entering your zip code.
