How to watch Sportsnet in the USA and abroad 2026

Sportsnet is Canada’s leading sports network. It covers all major leagues, including the NHL, NFL, MLB, UFC, and other prominent sporting events. Unfortunately for worldwide fans, Sportsnet+ is only available to those physically located in Canada.

One effective way to stream Sportsnet from the US and abroad is by using a VPN. It works by encrypting your online traffic and providing a Canadian IP address while masking a real one. This way, you digitally appear as if you are located in Canada, unblocking Sportsnet and allowing you to watch it freely.

However, Sportsnet uses an advanced VPN detection system to find and block VPN traffic, due to licensing agreements and regional blackouts within Canada. For this reason, you need a truly reliable VPN with strong security and plenty of Canadian servers. After testing over 20 VPNs, NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, TotalVPN, and Norton VPN stood out as the best VPNs for Sportsnet in 2026. They all bypassed VPN detection and geographical blocks without any issues, maintained stellar performance during streaming, and offer a competitive price.

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Why do you need a VPN to stream Sportsnet in the USA

Due to regional content rights and licensing agreements, Sportsnet is only available in Canada. If you try to watch from any other region, the service will be geo-restricted. Even within the country, certain matchups, especially NHL games, are subject to regional blackouts. However, you can watch Sportsnet in the US with a premium VPN for streaming.

A VPN is capable of bypassing geo-restrictions and unblocking content that is otherwise unreachable. However, Sportsnet checks your IP addresses to determine your location; therefore, it is essential to select a strongly encrypted VPN. Then, by connecting to a Canadian server, you will get a local IP address and will be able to stream Sportsnet as if you were physically located in the country.

Best VPNs for Sportsnet

1. NordVPN

   overall best Sportsnet VPN in June 2026
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   affordable VPN to watch Sportsnet outside Canada
   9.5
3. Proton VPN

   Sportsnet VPN for privacy-focused users
   8.6
4. TotalVPN

   easy-to-use VPN for Sportsnet with servers in Canada
   8.2
5. Norton VPN

   secure VPN for accessing Sportsnet abroad
   7.3

I tested 17 services for this guide, and NordVPN is my top pick for watching Sportsnet+ in the US. I was mainly looking for consistent IP masking, good speeds, and decent server coverage in Canada. Naturally, I haven't even considered VPNs without solid privacy, security, and device support. Here are my five winners.

Top 1. NordVPN – overall best Sportsnet VPN

NordVPN is the fastest VPN for streaming Sportsnet, with over 300 Canadian servers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Its proprietary NordLynx protocol retained 90+% of my original speed on most servers.

NordVPN is also one of the safest options for streaming Sportsnet abroad, thanks to its solid security setup and audited no-logs policy. Nord's Threat Protection Pro feature blocks malicious websites, ads, trackers, and phishing attempts. It also scans files for malware as you're downloading them.

During my tests, I was able to access and stream Sportsnet without any lag or disconnects. I also got zero location or proxy errors. If you're a Canadian traveling to a more restrictive country, you can use Nord's obfuscated servers to bypass online censorship and stream Sportsnet.

Lastly, NordVPN is an affordable VPN for Sportsnet. The 2-year plan starts at $3.09/month, and with a generous 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test it completely risk-free.

For more info, I recommend reading our full NordVPN review.

Top 2. Surfshark – affordable VPN to watch Sportsnet outside of Canada

Surfshark is an affordable Sportsnet VPN, starting at just $1.99/month. Thanks to its Canadian servers, accessing Sportsnet sports coverage was incredibly seamless. Additionally, with a single account, you can secure all the devices in your household and save a lot of money without sacrificing quality. During testing, I had zero issues accessing Sportsnet and never experienced any lag, buffering, or location errors.

Surfshark VPN has 150+ servers across Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto, providing fast, stable speeds for streaming Sportsnet from the US or anywhere abroad. With WireGuard, I consistently retained over 90% of my original speed, even on long sessions.

I also liked Surfshark's privacy and security setup – its CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing messages. During my testing, I found no IP or DNS leaks. If you're in a censorship-heavy country, switching to OpenVPN activates the Camouflage Mode, which disguises VPN traffic to help you stay under the radar.

Surfshark is the best value Sportsnet VPN – its 2-year plan starts at $1.99/month, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial. You should also check our Surfshark coupon page for an extra discount.

Learn all about it in our full Surfshark review.

Top 3. Proton VPN – secure VPN to watch Sportsnet live in the US

Proton VPN is ideal for first-time users looking to watch Sportsnet in the USA. It even has a free version with Canadian servers, though they aren’t optimized for streaming, so you may encounter slower speeds and some buffering.

Proton VPN premium version offers 531+ servers in Canada, located in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. On top of that, Proton VPN also owns 100% of the hardware – no third-party infrastructure. With a huge global network of 20,075+ servers in 145+ countries, it provides smooth, consistent performance from anywhere. In my tests, it retained around 85% of my base download speed, which was more than enough for buffer-free Sportsnet+ streaming.

Proton VPN supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN connection protocols, as well as AES-256 encryption, making it extremely secure for everyday use and streaming Sportsnet+.

Proton VPN is an excellent VPN for Sportsnet, starting at $2.99/month, and you can test it risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our full Proton VPN review to see if it's a good fit.

Top 4. TotalVPN - reliable VPN for Sportsnet for budget-conscious users

TotalVPN is one of the cheapest Sportsnet VPN. It reliably bypasses geographical restrictions and instantly unblocks Sportsnet from anywhere. Additionally, it is ideal for beginner VPN users due to its simple interface.

While TotalVPN doesn’t disclose the number of servers it has in Canada, I was able to use it to unblock Sportsnet. The connection was fine and lag-free, maintaining around 80% of my original speed. TotalVPN doesn’t have extensive global coverage, but it is sufficient to unblock other streaming sites and stay secure online.

TotalVPN utilizes robust encryption to safeguard user data. Its servers support tunneling protocols like OpenVPN, which keep the connection uninterrupted. Furthermore, the service also includes a kill switch and DNS leak protection to prevent accidental exposure of your real IP address during connection drops.

You can get TotalVPN for just $1.59/month and test it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full TotalVPN review!

Top 5. Norton VPN - beginner-friendly VPN for Sportsnet with Canadian servers

Norton VPN is a beginner-friendly Sportsnet VPN. Thanks to the servers in Canada, I accessed the sports streaming service from the US without much hassle.

As TotalVPN, Norton VPN doesn’t disclose the exact number of servers in Canada, but they cover four cities: Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Norton VPN speeds are slightly slower than those of competitors, but the connection was stable, and I was able to stream my favorite games.

Norton VPN also utilizes 256-bit encryption for maximum security. It also includes features such as a kill switch and split tunneling to help prevent data leaks in the event of an interrupted VPN connection. Additionally, Norton’s no-log policy ensures your browsing activity isn’t stored or shared, enhancing overall privacy and security.

Norton VPN subscription starts at $3.33/month. You can try the service for 30 days free of charge and also take advantage of a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full Norton VPN review.

Best Sportsnet VPNs comparison

How to watch Sportsnet outside of Canada: detailed guide

Sportsnet is a premium service, so you can't stream it for free. Depending on the current promotion, the team might give you a short free trial when you subscribe. However, plan prices have changed: Sportsnet+ Standard is now $29.99/month or $249.99/year, and Sportsnet+ Premium costs $42.99/month or $324.99/year.

Although Sportsnet is restricted to Canada, you can use a VPN to watch it in the USA or anywhere else. Here’s how:

Step 1. Pick a reliable VPN with Canadian servers

To watch Sportsnet in the US, you’ll need a VPN with exceptional streaming performance and plenty of Canadian servers to unblock geo-restricted content. NordVPN is our top choice for accessing Sportsnet in the USA, due to its 300+ servers in Canada, lightning-fast speeds, and strong geo-restriction bypassing capabilities.

Step 2. Download and install the VPN app

Once you’ve selected your VPN provider, head to their official website or app store and install the VPN app on your device. A reliable VPN should support all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and smart TVs.

Step 3. Connect to a server in Canada

If you’re trying to access Sportsnet+ from outside Canada, you won’t be able to stream its programming unless you connect to a Canadian server using a reliable VPN. With NordVPN, you can do this easily, as it offers 300+ servers across three Canadian cities: Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Simply open the NordVPN app, log in, and connect to a Canadian server. This will change your IP address and make it seem as though you’re connecting from inside Canada.

Step 4. Log in or create a Sportsnet+ account

Head to sportsnetplus.ca and sign up for an account. In case you’re already subscribed, simply log in. The site will recognize your new Canadian IP and give you full access.

Step 5. Start streaming Sportsnet live

That’s it – you’re in! Stream NHL, MLB, NBA, UFC, and more on Sportsnet+ from anywhere in the USA, without geo-blocks or blackouts.

Unblock Sportsnet from anywhere with VPN

Can I use a free VPN to stream Sportsnet in the USA?

I don't recommend using free VPNs to stream Sportsnet in the US. Operating a VPN service is expensive, and "free" providers often make money in nefarious ways. For example, some can log and sell your private data to advertisers or cybercriminals on the dark web. Others, like Hola, will turn your device into a crypto-mining bot or part of a shady P2P network. On top of that, most free VPNs are also slow, offer zero protection, and can't unblock Sportsnet anyway.

Instead of a free VPN for Sportsnet, I recommend using a premium service like NordVPN. It offers a 3-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, plus faster speeds, more reliable connections, and better streaming performance than free VPNs.

What can you watch on Sportsnet?

Your Sportsnet catalog depends on your package. Here's a quick overview of the available games.

Conclusion

Sportsnet is a popular sports streaming service, but it is only available in Canada. Fans outside the country cannot access it due to strong geographical blocks. However, getting a VPN solves the issue, as it can bypass geo-restrictions by assigning you a new Canadian IP address.

NordVPN stood out as the best VPN to watch Sportsnet in the US. It easily unblocks the website from anywhere, provides lightning-fast speeds, and seamless connectivity. You can test it risk-free for 30 days and get your money back if it doesn't work for you.

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FAQ

Can I watch Sportsnet in the US?

Yes, you can stream Sportsnet+ (formerly Sportsnet NOW) in the US using a VPN. Simply connect to a Canadian server with a streaming-friendly VPN like NordVPN. This gives you a Canadian IP address and unlocks full access to the Sportsnet+ live stream.

Does Sportsnet have a free trial?

Sportsnet offers a 7-day free trial. However, it can be obtained by registering for the service and providing your credit card details, which are later used to continue the subscription.

Is Sportsnet American?

Sportsnet is a Canadian sports network. It’s owned by Rogers Sports & Media and holds broadcasting rights for NHL, MLB, NBA, and other major leagues exclusively in Canada.

Is Sportsnet only in Canada?

Sportsnet+ is only available to stream within Canada, so if you’re outside the country, you won’t be able to access its programming. The easiest way to watch Sportsnet from abroad is by using a reliable VPN with Canadian servers, which lets you bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy live sports and on-demand content as if you were in Canada.

Does Sportsnet Plus work in the USA?

No, Sportsnet is not available in the USA. Because of regional content rights and licensing agreements, it is only accessible in Canada. However, you can watch Sportsnet+ in the US by using a reliable VPN with Canadian servers, allowing you to bypass restrictions and stream live games and on-demand content from anywhere. I recommend NordVPN or Surfshark since they offer the best speeds, security, and geo-unblocking capabilities. Avoid free VPNs since they're usually slow, unreliable, and dangerous.

Can you watch Sportsnet Plus outside of Canada?

Yes, you can watch Sportsnet outside of Canada by using a VPN. Simply connect to a Canadian server with a trusted provider like NordVPN to get a Canadian IP address, register or log in to your Sportsnet account, and unlock the Sportsnet+ live stream.

Why does Sportsnet have regional restrictions?

Sportsnet has regional restrictions due to broadcasting rights. NHL games are divided by region, so viewers in different parts of Canada can access certain matchups. For example, fans in British Columbia may only see Canucks games, while other teams might be blacked out.

How to watch Sportsnet in Mexico?

To watch Sportsnet in Mexico, you will need to use a VPN to connect to a server in Canada to bypass geo-restrictions. Some of the top choices include NordVPN and Surfshark. Simply buy a subscription, finish the installation, connect to a Canadian server, create a Sportsnet account, and enjoy.