How to watch out-of-market NFL games in 2023
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Šarūnas Karbauskas
Writer
The long-awaited 104th NFL season started on September 7th, 2023, with the Kickoff game between Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions. And while a new NFL season is a time to rejoice for sports fans, the experience is soured by state blackouts in the USA. These limitations make it challenging to watch local NFL teams compete from the comfort of your home.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into this issue and show how to watch out-of-market NFL games using a VPN. However, note that not every VPN service is well-suited for bypassing blackouts. Thus, we recommend using NordVPN, the service that 100% works with out-of-market NFL games anywhere.
How to watch out-of-market NFL games with a VPN
- Pick a VPN for the NFL with numerous servers in the USA. Our go-to choice is NordVPN, now 68% off
- Download the application on your football-viewing device
- Login and connect to a USA server where a particular NFL match is available (i.e., somewhere outside your team’s home market)
- Watch out-of-market NFL games anywhere!
Why are some NFL games out of market?
Some NFL games are considered out-of-market because they’re only broadcast in American states outside the one you’re currently in. That means they aren’t affected by blackouts or geographical restrictions in your area.
NFL blackouts occur when a team plays in its local market or home state. For example, if the New York Jets are playing a game in the state of New York, a TV broadcast or online live stream is entirely unavailable in a 75-mile radius of the stadium. However, sometimes blackouts aren’t enforced if tickets to the match are sold out.
As you can imagine, this situation can be frustrating if you want to watch every NFL game with your favorite team. As luck would have it, you can do so without trouble using one of the best VPNs on the market. These services can reroute your connection through servers in other US states, thus eliminating blackouts and other restrictions.
Watch NFL 2023 out-of-market games with a VPN
A VPN is vital for watching out-of-market NFL games because it enables you to switch between American states and circumvent state-level blackouts. However, the service needs to be of extraordinary quality to ensure lag-free streaming on your preferred device. Therefore, we recommend NordVPN, the #1 VPN for streaming sports.
Conversely, having a VPN at your disposal isn’t the only thing you need to watch out-of-market NFL games anywhere. You must also sign up for an online broadcaster befitting your NFL package preferences. We’ll outline all options so you can make the best possible choice.
| What you get | Where to watch | |
| NFL Sunday Ticket | Sunday afternoon games | USA |
| NFL Game Pass International | All NFL matches available abroad | Canada, Spain, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, Austria |
| NFL+ Premium | Access to out-of-market game replays after 24 hours | USA |
| NFL RedZone | Simulcast of Sunday afternoon game highlights | USA |
Watch out-of-market NFL games with NFL Sunday Ticket
The NFL Sunday Ticket is ideal if you’re rooting for a team outside your current market. This package includes all Sunday afternoon games from Fox and CBS, except the ones available with your local CBS or Fox affiliate. As of 2023, it’s distributed exclusively by YouTube TV.
It’s crucial to note that YouTube TV is exclusive to the US, meaning you’ll need a VPN for geo-blocking if you have holiday plans abroad during the NFL season. Plus, a VPN can still be beneficial to US residents to circumvent other regional broadcast restrictions.
YouTube TV subscribers can buy NFL Sunday Ticket for $299 or $339 with NFL RedZone included. Note that YouTube TV is exclusive to the US. Another option is signing up via Primetime Channels, which increases the base cost to $399 or $439 if you add NFL RedZone.
Stream out-of-market games with NFL Game Pass International
As the name suggests, NFL Game Pass International is meant for audiences outside the USA. It’s a reasonably priced way to unlock all 272 NFL matches slated for 2023. Furthermore, Game Pass is a part of the well-known DAZN streaming service.
NFL Game Pass supports watching out-of-market games in many countries globally, but, most importantly, not in the US because NFL+ took its place.
Prices vary based on region, meaning you can get cheaper prices if you use a VPN before signing up. For example, the service costs around $191.25 in the UK, while in Brazil it costs roughly $79.98.
We recommend NordVPN if you're considering the Game Pass route to watch out-of-market NFL games. The service offers a diverse network with numerous servers in regions where Game Pass International is supported. You can use it both to snag a cheaper subscription plan and to unlock NFL games globally.
Get NordVPNGet access to out-of-market NFL games with NFL+ Premium
NFL+ is arguably the most affordable way to watch out-of-market NFL games in the US. And while it costs a mere $9.99/month, the appealing price has a significant drawback.
For starters, you can’t live stream matches and can only watch replays once the games have concluded. You can, however, tune into the live audio of every game. Moreover, you can use the mobile app to watch local and primetime regular-season games.
Remember that you’ll need a VPN with NFL+ if you have any travel plans because this service is geo-restricted to America.
Watch out-of-market NFL games with NFL RedZone
NFL RedZone is a specialized option for die-hard NFL fans who want eyes on all Sunday afternoon games. It grants simultaneous real-time coverage of the exciting moment-to-moment gameplay across every match, regardless of the teams playing. But it’s worth noting that the service doesn’t always cover games in full.
NFL RedZone is typically included in numerous cable TV subscription packages at no extra cost. It’s also available with multiple online streaming services, such as YouTube TV, Hulu, and Fubo TV. However, you'll have to add their sports-centered add-ons to your cart.
Is there a way to watch out-of-market NFL games without DirecTV?
Yes, there are loads of alternatives to DirecTV for watching out-of-market NFL games. You’ll also have an easier time getting the most out of these platforms with a top-grade US VPN because it enables bypassing NFL blackouts. We especially recommend NordVPN since its US servers are categorized by cities.
- YouTube TV. The service starts at $64.99/month and requires an additional $10.99/month to unlock the Sports Plus package containing NFL RedZone.
- Sling TV. You’ll need to opt for the Blue subscription, which costs $45/month, and top it off with Sports Extra for $11/month.
- Amazon Prime Video. The commerce giant unlocks Thursday out-of-market NFL games across the globe for $14.99/month.
- Hulu with Live TV. The ad-powered plan costs $69.99/month, includes Disney+ and ESPN+, and requires the $9.99/month Sports add-on to unlock RedZone.
- Paramount+. Another cheap option starting at a measly $5.99/month if you don’t mind ads. It’s US-only and the NFL match selection depends on your state.
- Fubo TV. Plans start at $74.99/month and require the Sports Plus add-on ($10.99/month) to gain access to NFL RedZone.
Is it legal to watch out-of-market NFL games with a VPN?
Yes, using a VPN to watch out-of-market NFL games is perfectly legal. However, this action may go against the terms and conditions of your online streaming service.
Consequences can vary and typically don’t go beyond IP address blocking, which you can quickly fix by changing your IP address using another server. In rare cases, your account may get temporarily suspended, thus necessitating creating a new one.
It’s worth noting that the most secure VPNs offer loads of tools to effectively mask your activities against detection. For example, NordVPN grants obfuscated servers, which are tailor-made to bypass online censorship by making your VPN traffic appear as regular traffic.
How to watch your team play in NFL 2023
It can be tricky to figure out the necessary steps to watch out-of-market games of your favorite teams. Therefore, we’ll provide a few guides to help you understand how the NFL blackout system works.
Generally speaking, you’ll have to connect to servers outside the home state of your preferred team. However, blackout exceptions aren’t unheard of, although you can encounter other geo-restriction issues. It also depends on whether your streaming service is US-exclusive or not. In short, it all depends on your current circumstances.
Watch Cleveland Browns games out of market
The Cleveland Browns are based in Cleveland, which means their games will not be broadcast locally whenever they play there. This is primarily done to entice fans to see matches live. Naturally, that means blackout exceptions may occur if seats to the stadium are sold out. In any case, here’s how to watch out-of-market Cleveland Brown games.
- Subscribe to a reliable VPN with servers in the US. Our top choice is NordVPN
- Download the software on your favorite NFL-viewing device
- Connect to an American server far from Cleveland, Ohio, such as Texas or California
- Open your NFL package and watch the Cleveland Browns beat their opponents!
Watch Pittsburgh Steelers games out of market
Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers will have the best chances of watching the team compete by changing their location to any state other than Pennsylvania. Follow the below steps to watch Pittsburgh Steelers' out-of-market games.
- Sign up for a VPN service with plenty of servers across the States. We recommend NordVPN
- Install the app on your device
- Connect to a server somewhere far away from Pennsylvania, like South Dakota or Oklahoma
- Tune into your favorite US-based streaming service and watch the Pittsburgh Steelers compete!
Watch NY Giants games out of market
No self-respecting New Yorker has the right to miss an NFL game with the New York Giants. You can stay up-to-date with their matches using a high-quality VPN provider and a streaming service with access to NY Giants' out-of-market games. See the steps below for more information.
- Purchase a VPN with a massive fleet of US servers. You’ll find a worthy candidate with NordVPN
- Download and install the software on your sports-streaming theater
- Connect to a US state with a reasonable distance from New York, like Minnesota or Alabama
- Launch your NFL-supporting streaming service and watch the NY Giants stomp the opposing team!
Watch Eagles games out of market
You can watch the Philadelphia Eagles soar by changing your location to a state where the team’s matches are available without blackouts. The most convenient way to do so is with a VPN. Here’s our guide on watching Eagles games out of market.
- Pick a robust VPN boasting hundreds of servers in America. We suggest NordVPN, which has around 2000 in the USA
- Install the VPN software on the device of your choice
- Connect to a server outside the state of Pennsylvania, such as Tennessee or Mississippi
- Open your NFL package and watch the Eagles tear up their enemies!
Watch Buffalo Bills games out of market
The Buffalo Bills hail from the state of New York, meaning that’s where their matches are commonly blacked out. But that’s not something you must worry about when you know how to watch Buffalo Bills games out of market with a VPN.
- Acquire a VPN optimized for fast speeds and NFL blackout removal. Our winning service is NordVPN
- Download the VPN application to your device dedicated to viewing sports
- Pick a US server where Buffalo Bills games are available, for example, Michigan
- Boot up your streaming platform and watch the Buffalo Bills compete anywhere!
Conclusion
The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner, and eager fans can’t wait to see their favorite teams duke it out on the field. Unfortunately, blackouts and geographical restrictions are as common as ever. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of options to deal with them.
The most popular way of watching out-of-market NFL games is with the help of a VPN. It can change your IP address and make it seem like you’re in another American state or country, which is all you need to bypass blackouts.
We tried watching geo-blocked American Football matches with numerous VPNs and have concluded that NordVPN is the most reliable option for watching the NFL. It has around 2000 US servers, all categorized by city, making it easy to connect to your desired state. Plus, it’s super-fast and compatible with numerous devices. Give it a shot using the 30-day money-back guarantee.
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FAQ
Will a free VPN give me access to NFL out-of-market games?
No, free VPNs can’t access out-of-market NFL games. These services have minuscule server networks, slow speeds, and unreliable geo-block bypassing capabilities. As such, you should subscribe to a well-performing premium VPN, such as NordVPN, for convenient access to out-of-market NFL games.
Does a VPN affect streaming speeds when watching NFL out-of-market games?
Yes, every VPN affects streaming speeds, whether you’re watching NFL out-of-market games or any other video content. Luckily, the impact is minimal if you’re using speedy VPN services like NordVPN. These providers use the latest VPN tunneling protocols for efficient data transfer even when connecting to remote locations.
How to change your location to watch out-of-market NFL games?
You can change your location and access out-of-market NFL games with a top-grade VPN, for example, NordVPN. It will reroute your web traffic through a server in a location where your desired NFL matches aren’t limited by blackouts or geo-blocking.
Is there a way to watch out-of-market NFL games without DirecTV?
Yes, there are plenty of options besides DirecTV for watching out-of-market NFL games. US residents have the most choice because many streaming services are exclusive to America. Viable alternatives include NFL+, YouTube TV, Paramount+, COX, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, SlingTV, ESPN+, and many more.
Can I watch out-of-market NFL games live?
That depends on which streaming service you’re using. The majority of platforms support live streaming out-of-market games if you have a VPN to spoof your state (we recommend NordVPN). A noteworthy exception is NFL+, which only grants replays once the game has finished.
Is there a package to watch all NFL games?
You can get the NFL+ Premium plan for $79.99/year to watch all live local, primetime regular, postseason, and out-of-market preseason games. You also get NFL RedZone, which includes a simulcast of Sunday afternoon highlights.
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