How to Bypass Blackouts of Sports Streaming in Canada

There’s more to being a sports fan than just watching the game.

It’s about getting together with friends and having a cold one while you scream at the TV for that third-line pass that never comes through, or if your team misses the penalty kick.

Canada is home to some of the most passionate sports fans in the world.

But with cable package costs going up every year, not everyone can afford sports streaming blackouts when they’re trying to watch their favorite teams play from outside of Canada.

Even worse – this usually happens right during an important playoff game! So how do you bypass these restrictions?

How can I watch NCAA College Football, ESPN, NBC Sports, or Fox Sports in Canada if there are blackouts?

Fortunately, there is a workaround that enables you to sidestep blackout restrictions in Canada. And, the only way to get around blackout restrictions is with the help of a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

By connecting VPN to one of the U.S. servers, you can effectively trick your local service provider into believing that you are located in the United States.

Once your service provider thinks you are an American, they will allow streaming channels like NBC Sports, Fox Sports, ESPN or ESPN+ in Canada.

The problem with most VPNs is that they do not support popular sports streaming channels such as DAZN, and BTN2GO.

BLACKOUT RESTRICTIONS – BRIEF EXPLANATION

Since the introduction of sports streaming channels in Canada, they have been restricted by the games they are permitted to broadcast online.

Some games, on the other hand, are also not shown on Canadian Internet television since major Canadian broadcast networks have obtained the rights to them and blocked Internet television aggregators from making them available.

The game between the Toronto Maple Leaf’s and Calgary Flames on February 20, 2014, was a case in point.

In fall 2013, both Rogers Communications and Bell Media acquired significant portions of NHL’s Canadian broadcasting rights.

Due to this acquisition, most nationally televised games are broadcast only by these networks on their corresponding specialty channels (such as CBC/Hockey Night in Canada for Rogers’ cable channel Sportsnet).

Although it is also possible to purchase online streaming packages that include non-televised games involving either team from those broadcasters.

As well, due to licensing restrictions placed by the respective league itself, live telecasts from ESPN and Fox SportsNet are strictly reserved for their U.S. broadcasts; local blackouts apply out-of-market games within Canada.

Cord cutters have been disappointed, and they’ve been looking for alternatives to watch live online games.

This caused many fans to switch on virtual private networks (VPNs) as a means of bypassing such blockades while watching their favorite teams play hockey or baseball.

In the next section, I’ll explain to you how to avoid blackouts of sports streaming in Canada by using a VPN without restriction.

HOW TO BYPASS BLACKOUT RESTRICTIONS USING VPN

Your ISP maintains a list of IP addresses for each customer.

When you connect to the Internet, your ISP hands you an IP address that allows you to communicate with online sites and services.

You can use a VPN to change your IP address and thus circumvent blackouts in Canada by restricting access to streaming apps that require location services. Follow these steps.

Start by signing up for a VPN. Make sure the firm has servers in Canada, the United States as well as other countries.
Download and install the VPN software after creating your VPN account. Remember, VPN software must be supported by PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
Set up the app and connect to a Canadian VPN server in a state where the game you wish to watch is available. You may also connect to a VPN server outside of Canada.
The final stage is to catch the game on streaming channels by using their native app.
Get access to any game you want, black-out free.

Some countries block VPN access like Iran and China. There are various methods including switching servers, switching ports, and more like this through which you can bypass VPN blocks.

STREAMING CHANNELS WITH BLACKOUT RESTRICTIONS

Here’s a list of the streaming services with blackout restrictions in Canada.

NCAA College Football
Fox Sports Go
ESPN3
NBC Sports
NBA League Pass
UFC.TV
MLB.TV
NHL.TV
NFL Game Pass
MLS
Hulu Live TV
Sling TV
FuboTV
PS Vue
DirecTV Now
YouTube TV

Although blackouts do not usually occur on official sites of some sports streaming services, there is always the possibility of them occurring when using unofficial sources.

If this is the case, using a VPN could be useful in bypassing blackouts of sports streaming.

Just make sure you’re connected to a Canadian server before you try to watch your game.

Also, if you don’t mind taking into consideration the effect on Canadian broadcasters’ pockets, then go with a VPN and enjoy watching all of your favorite games without worrying about blackouts or restrictions!

You can buy these services. They cost money but it is cheaper than cable and their long-term contracts.

The best thing about it all is that you are able to cancel these subscriptions during the off-season or at any other time.

Conclusion

Blackout restrictions can keep Canadians from watching all of their favorite games, but luckily, there are ways to bypass these blackout restrictions by using VPNs or other online streaming services like Sling TV and DirecTV Now.

If you don’t have cable right now, then look into one of these services to watch your favorite American sports teams across the border.

Other than that, make sure you protect yourself and your internet activity with a premium VPN.