How to watch AFL in the USA live in 2023
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MiglΔ VosyliΕ«tΔ
Writer
This year, the widely popular Australian Football League will commence from March 16 until September 30. While in Australia, matches can be watched on Channel 7, Kayo, or ABC Australia. However, if youβre outside Australia, watching AFL might be an issue unless you use a VPN to change your IP.
| Regular season: | March 16 β September 30, 2023 |
| Stream in Australia: | Channel 7, Kayo, ABC |
| Watch anywhere: | Get NordVPN β 68% OFF! |
| Stream in the UK: | Sky Sports |
With a VPN, not only can you unblock Australian streaming services but also other popular broadcasters too. After all, TSN Canada will also stream AFL. Apart from bypassing geo-restrictions, a VPN is an excellent tool to enhance online security and privacy.
So, in this article, you will learn how to watch AFL in the USA live in 2023 using our tested and selected VPN providers on all popular devices. Continue reading and make it to the game!
How to watch AFL in USA with a VPN
- Pick a reputable VPN provider. We recommend NordVPN, now at 68% OFF.
- Download and install the VPN app.
- Connect to a VPN server in Australia.
- Create an account on Channel 7.
- Confirm when the game starts in your location, and watch the stream!
Why is VPN necessary to stream AFL games
Due to copyright laws and licensing agreements, most major Australian streaming service providers are geographically restricted. That means you must be in the geographical vicinity to stream the content. Otherwise, you will receive an error code like this one.
However, geographical restrictions are extremely unpopular among streaming service users. For example, a person from the UK that has subscribed to BT Sport, but is away from home for holidays or business trips, will not be able to access BT Sport streams.
Luckily, you can use a top-performing VPN to bypass geo-blocks and watch live streams in your native language. It's an effective and widely popular method among expats and frequent travelers who are also AFL fans!
3 Best VPNs to watch AFL online
- NordVPN β best VPN for streaming AFL from USA overall
- Surfshark β VPN to watch AFL on unlimited devices
- Atlas VPN β user-friendly VPN that unlocks AFL streams
We tested dozens of reputable VPNs to verify which ones work best for unlocking AFL streams from the USA. On our list, you will find the winners with enough high-speed servers in Australia to watch the games buffer-free. And they allow you to enjoy online security in the meantime.
Here are the three best options to watch AFL 2023 live.
1. NordVPN - best VPN to watch AFL in the US in 2023
| Servers/countries: | 5,800+ servers in 60 countries |
| Server locations in Australia: | 5 |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | π₯NordVPN coupon 68% OFFπ₯ |
Regarding unblocking worldwide streaming service providers, you won't find a better VPN service than NordVPN. It has an elaborate global server network and a proprietary NordLynx protocol that ensures maximum connection speed and security.
NordVPN offers over 190 servers in Australia, which is definitely enough to find the one that works for you. The provider also has the SmartPlay feature that helps you stream unrestrictedly on devices that canβt have a VPN installed.
Not to mention an overall robust security suite with advanced encryption included. Or the kill switch that will always protect your IP, even when a VPN connection drops.
You can get the service for an affordable $3.19 per month for a two-year plan, and a 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to test the service for a month risk-free.
Read our in-depth NordVPN review to learn more.
2. Surfshark - fast AFL VPN with unlimited connections
| Servers/countries: | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Server locations in Australia: | 5 |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more |
| Current deal: | π₯Surfshark coupon 82% OFFπ₯ |
Picking Surfshark was easy as it provides outstanding features for household use or watching AFL with friends. This provider does not limit concurrent connections and works on all major devices.
Surfshark is excellent for accessing Australian streaming services, as it has 20 servers distributed across Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth. Plus, itβs one of the best streaming VPNs that help you enjoy videos in full HD.
The app is filled with excellent cybersecurity features like Ad & malware blockers, a Bypasser (which is their way of calling split-tunneling), and a Smart DNS that helps you bypass geo-blocks on devices that donβt support VPNs.
Surfsharkβs pricing starts from as little as $2.30 per month for a two-year plan, but you can try out the service first using a month-long money-back guarantee!
Check out our Surfshark review for more information.
3. Atlas VPN - easy-to-use VPN for streaming
| Servers/countries: | 1,000+ servers in 42 countries |
| Server locations in Australia: | 1 |
| Streaming sites: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
| Current deal: | π₯Atlas VPN coupon 85% OFFπ₯ |
For a beginner VPN user, Atlas VPN is exceptionally good at what it's doing. We were surprised by its speeds, which granted a buffer-free stream, even though only 1 server location in Australia is available.
Apart from Channel 7, this VPN works well with other streaming sites, like Netflix or TSN. Moreso, this VPN includes all essential features, such as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, or SafeBrowse, which will block malicious websites for you.
You can use this VPN on all popular operating systems as well as on your router, so you can watch the game on streaming devices or gaming consoles without issues too.
Atlas VPN starts from as low as $1.82 per month, and thereβs also a 30-day money-back guarantee that works as a free trial for testing all the premium features this VPN has.
Visit our detailed Atlas VPN review for more details.
How to watch AFL grand final in USA
The AFL Grand Final 2023 takes place on September 30th, and it's such a spectacular event that it even got a national holiday in the state of Victoria. Channel 7 got the licensing rights to stream AFL Grand Finals this year. You can use the official Watch AFL app to access the stream if you're located outside of Australia.
However, Watch AFL service is paid, and you can use one of our listed VPNs to access Channel 7 and watch the Grand Finals for free alongside Australians.
- Choose a VPN with high-speed Australian servers. We recommend NordVPN, which is now 68% OFF.
- Download the VPN app and install it.
- Connect to a server in Australia.
- Create an account on Channel 7 website.
- Confirm when the Grand Final starts in your location, and don't miss the stream!
Watch AFL from anywhere else
To watch AFL globally without a VPN, you can use the WatchAFL app, which costs $20 for a weekly subscription, $39 for a monthly plan, and for the whole year, you will have to pay $181.
There are also regional providers that will stream AFL games.
- The United Kingdom. You can subscribe to BT Sport to watch AFL in the UK. It costs Β£18 per month for a two-year plan or Β£29.99 per month if you want to subscribe contract-free.
- The United States. Fox Sports has the license to stream AFL in the USA. The Fox Sports app is free, but you must have a subscription with one of the TV providers, such as AT&T TV, which costs $54.99 per month, fuboTV, which starts at $74.99 per month, or Hulu + Live TV plans, costing $69.99 per month.
- New Zealand. You can use Sky GO NZ to stream AFL in New Zealand, and you have to subscribe to Sky TV + Sky Sports for Β£46 per month to access it.
- Canada. TSN will provide an AFL stream in Canada, costing $19.99 for a monthly plan or $16.66 per month for an annual.
Stream AFL online with VPN on your device
VPN software is cross-device compatible, and you can use it to stream AFL from anywhere on your PC, smartphone, or streaming device. However, each device has a straightforward but slightly different setup process.
To save you time, we have written concise step-by-step instructions on how to use a VPN to unblock the free AFL stream on whatever device you are using.
- Watch the free AFL stream on your computer (Windows, Mac)
- Watch the free AFL stream on your smartphone (Android or iOS)
- Watch the free AFL stream on your streaming device
Watch the free AFL stream on your computer (Windows, Mac)
It's very easy to set up a VPN on your Apple Mac or Windows PC and access a free AFL stream. Here's how to do it:
- Subscribe to a VPN service. We recommend NordVPN with the fastest Australian servers.
- Download the app and install it.
- Connect to a server in Australia.
- Head over to Channel 7 and create an account.
- Verify when the games start at your location and enjoy the free stream!
Watch the free AFL stream on your smartphone (Android or iOS)
You can stream AFL on your smartphone if traveling or away from your computer or other streaming device. Our listed VPNs have comfy mobile apps, and here's how to use them:
- Subscribe to a VPN service. We recommend NordVPN for the best mobile experience.
- Download and install the VPN app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Connect to a server in Australia.
- Go to Channel 7 and create an account.
- Now you can stream AFL for free!
Watch the free AFL stream on your streaming device
Some streaming devices support VPN apps, like Amazon Firestick or Chromebook. Meanwhile, devices like Roku, Kodi, or Apple TV do not.
Luckily, there's an easy fix to watch AFL free on devices that do not support native VPN applications. You will have to install a VPN on your router, switch the router's location to Australia, and connect your streaming device to it. Here's how to do it:
- Subscribe to a VPN service. We recommend NordVPN, which has an easy router setup.
- Follow the instructions on how to install your VPN on the router.
- Change your router's IP address to Australia.
- Connect your streaming device to the router.
- Head over to Channel 7 website and create the account.
- Now you can watch a free AFL stream on your streaming device!
How to watch AFL online free overseas
This year, Channel 7 has the licensing rights to stream the whole 127th season of AFL and the Grand Finals. The service is free to use but restricted to Australian viewers only.
You will have to utilize VPN free trials if you want to watch the free stream from overseas at no cost. Our listed VPNs offer month-long money-back guarantees, which are just as great as long as you don't forget to unsubscribe before the trial period ends!
Once the trial ends, you would need to pay this much for each VPN:
- NordVPN β with over 190 Australian servers, this VPN is the best option to enjoy AFL anywhere. The prices start at $3.19/month.
- Surfshark β this VPN allows unlimited parallel connections and has 20 servers in AU. You can get it from as low as $2.30 per month.
- AtlasVPN β youβre not gonna miss choosing this intuitive VPN, which has servers in Sydney and costs as little as $1.82 a month.
Where to stream AFL womens' live games
It Looks like Channel 7 is going big on sports this year because it also acquired the rights to live-stream NAB AFL Women's league. Although it is still not confirmed when season 8 will start, the AFLW disclosed that the season had been moved a bit later in the year, closer to the winter-time period.
Here's how to watch AFLW for free from anywhere:
- Subscribe to a VPN with high-speed Australian servers. We recommend NordVPN, which is now 68% OFF.
- Download the VPN and install it.
- Connect to a server in Australia.
- Create an account on Channel 7 website.
- Watch the free AFLW stream!
Moreover, to watch previous AFLW games, you can use the official mobile AFLW app found on Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Although the app is free, it is not verified whether it will provide a season 8 AFLW live stream.
Important dates in AFL schedule
The AFL has happened each year since 1896 and gathers a massive amount of worldwide spectators. And here are some of the most important AFL games specifically in 2023.
| Fixture | Game date |
| Carlton VS Richmond | Thursday, March 16th |
| Bombers VS Hawthorn | Sunday, March 19th |
| Dogs versus Lions | Thursday, March 30th |
| Adelaide versus Port Adelaide | Saturday, April 1st |
| North Melbourne versus Carlton | Friday, April 7th |
| Semi Finals | Sunday, August 27th |
| Grand Finals | Saturday, September 30th |
Wrapping up
The 2023 AFL season looks like a blaster bringing 23 games for sports fans to enjoy. Moreso, you can watch it absolutely free this year by using the VPN services and subscribing to Australia's Channel 7.
We found NordVPN to be the most reliable for this task. Its 190+ Australian servers are lightning fast, the app is comfy, and it works well on multiple streaming devices. The essential cybersecurity features it provides are no less important, so you may want to keep using it even after the AFL season ends.
Furthermore, a VPN will be useful if you watch AFL 2023 on your regional streaming service provider, like BT Sport in the UK or TSN in Canada. These services are geographically restricted, and if you're traveling outside the country, you will have to use a VPN to connect to your home server to use them.
Best VPN deals this week:
FAQ
What channel is AFL on in the USA?
Fox Soccer Plus obtained the licensing rights to stream the AFL 2023 season. The app itself is free to download, but you do have to subscribe to a TV service to access it.
How can I watch AFL football live?
Australia's Channel 7 has the rights to live-stream the AFL season 2023. Although the Channel is free, it is only available to Australian spectators. Alternatively, you can use Watch AFL's official app to watch it globally, but you will have to pay for the subscription.
Can I Watch AFL with a VPN?
Yes, you can use a VPN to watch AFL for free. You have to obtain a VPN with sufficient high-speed servers in Australia, like NordVPN, and then connect to one of Australia's servers. After creating an account on Channel 7, you can watch the AFL live streams.
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