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How to Workaround NBA League Pass Blackouts with a VPN
Simon Migliano
Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more. Read full bio
The best way to watch blackout games live on NBA League Pass is by connecting to a VPN server outside the US and Canada. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for NBA League Pass thanks to its fast and effective global server network that consistently stream blackout NBA games.
NBA League Pass broadcasts every single NBA game. However, due to licensing restrictions, the platform blocks access to your local team’s games and those televised on cable channels.
The service enforces these restrictions by detecting your IP address location. You can bypass these geo-blocks by using a virtual private network (VPN), which changes your IP address to one located outside the blackout region.
Very few VPNs can beat NBA League Pass’ VPN blocks, though. This includes top-rated services like NordVPN and CyberGhost. After testing 61 VPNs, we found that just three worked consistently well.
Summary: The Best VPNs for NBA League Pass
Based on our testing and day-to-day use, the best NBA League Pass VPNs are:
We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our ratings are based on our own testing results and are unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.
How to Watch Blackout NBA Games
EXPERT ADVICE: Despite claims from other websites, you don’t need to sign up for an international NBA League Pass account. Our methods for bypassing NBA blackouts work with your existing US-based NBA account.
We found that you can watch nationally blacked-out games on NBA League Pass, like those covered by ESPN in the US, by connecting to a VPN server in the Netherlands or Germany.
For games subject to local blackout restrictions, we recommend connecting to a server in a nearby state instead. That way, your download speeds will remain as fast as possible.
To help you find the best server and VPN service for what you want to watch, use the table below:
Broadcast Channel
Blackout Region
Best VPN Server Location
Compatible VPNs
NBA League Pass & NBA TV
Local
Nearby state
ExpressVPN, PrivateVPN, Surfshark
ESPN, TNT, ABC
National
Netherlands or Germany
ExpressVPN, PrivateVPN, Windscribe
In the sections below, we’ll show you exactly how to watch blackout NBA games on various platforms.
Importantly, it’s not possible to watch blackout games on NBA League Pass on an iPhone since it prevents GPS spoofing.
Desktop or Laptop (Windows & Mac)
To watch every NBA game on Windows and Mac, simply connect to a VPN server outside of the blackout territory and open NBA League Pass in your web browser.
How to use a VPN with NBA League Pass on a laptop or computer:
Sign up for a VPN service that works with NBA League Pass:ExpressVPN was the most reliable option in our tests.
Open the VPN app and connect to a server outside the blackout region: For locally blacked-out games, connect to a server in a nearby US state. For nationally blacked-out games, connect to a server in the Netherlands or Germany.
Open NBA League Pass in your web browser: You can use your existing US-based NBA account.
Select the game you want to watch and start streaming: If the video doesn’t load or you encounter an error message, try our workarounds below.
Using a VPN to bypass blackouts on NBA League Pass.
Android
On the mobile app, NBA League Pass determines your location by using your GPS location, not your IP address location. Therefore, the vast majority of VPN services will not work.
Sign up for a VPN with GPS spoofing functionality: We recommend Surfshark because of its global server network and easy-to-use apps.
Install the VPN app by downloading it from the Google Play Store.
Log in to your account and turn on Override GPS Location:Settings > VPN Settings > Advanced Settings > Override GPS Location > Let’s Go.
Reveal Developer Options on your device: Navigate your device’s Settings > About Phone > Software Information > tap Build Number seven times.
Grant the VPN app GPS privileges: Reopen the Settings app > Developer Options > Select Mock Location App > VPN name (e.g. Surfshark)
Open the VPN app and connect to a server where the game is not blacked out: Your GPS coordinates will automatically match the location of the VPN server.
Clear cache on the NBA app: Open Settings > Apps > NBA > Storage > Clear cache.
Open the NBA app and select the game you want to watch: You’ll now have access to blacked-out games on the service.
Surfshark and Windscribe are the only VPNs with a fake GPS feature on Android.
Amazon Fire TV, Android TV & Apple TV
Watching blackout NBA games is easy on streaming devices. As long as your VPN has an app for these devices, simply open the app and connect to a server location where the game isn’t blacked out.
How to use a VPN with NBA League Pass on Firestick, Android TV & Apple TV:
Subscribe to a VPN service that works with NBA League Pass: We recommend ExpressVPN for streaming devices.
Download the VPN app from the app store: You can use your US or Canada Amazon, Apple or Google account, so you won’t need to create a new one.
Open the app and connect to a VPN server outside the blackout region.
Clear cache on the NBA app: On Fire TV, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Clear Cache. On Android TV, go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > NBA > Clear cache > Ok. On Apple TV, restart the device.
Open the NBA app and live stream the game you want to watch.
It’s simple to use a VPN to stream live NBA games on Fire TV.
Roku & Chromecast
You can’t install VPNs onto Roku or most Chromecast devices. These devices also don’t support manual DNS addresses, making them incompatible with Smart DNS tools.
The easiest way to use a VPN on Chromecast or Roku is to set up a virtual router from your Windows PC.
How to use a VPN with NBA League Pass on on Roku and Chromecast:
Sign up for an NBA League Pass VPN: We recommend using ExpressVPN to spoof your location on Chromecast and Roku.
Download the VPN app onto your Windows computer.
If using a Chromecast, download the NBA app onto your mobile: You won’t need to do this on Roku.
Enable your PC’s mobile hotspot: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot and toggle to On.
Make a note of your network name and password: If you want to change them, click Edit, make your changes, and click Save.
Locate your VPN’s TAP adapter: Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change Adapter Options. Right-click on your VPN’s TAP adapter and select Properties.
Edit your sharing settings: Click the Sharing tab and tick the box that says “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.”
Select your hotspot: From the drop-down menu entitled Home networking connection: select Local Area Connection*.
Using the Windows VPN app, connect to a server outside of the blackout region: Your mobile hotspot will automatically broadcast this server location.
Connect your Roku or Chromecast to your mobile hotspot network: You can do this from the Settings app on Roku or use the Google Home app on your phone for Chromecast.
Open the NBA app on Roku or cast from the NBA mobile app for Chromecast: You’ll now be able to access every game on NBA League Pass.
If you don’t have a Windows computer, you’ll have to use a VPN router. We recommend ExpressVPN’s Aircove router as it’s easy to set up and is cheaper than its alternatives.
NBA Blackout Checker Based on IP Location
Use our table below to find out which popular basketball teams you’re blocked from viewing, based on your real location or the location of your VPN server’s IP address.
To watch your team, simply connect to a VPN server in one of our recommended locations.
IP Address Location
Blacked Out Team
Recommended VPN Server Location
Boston
Boston Celtics
New York City, Philadelphia, Toronto
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Nets
New York City, Philadelphia, Toronto
Chicago
Chicago Bulls
Milwaukee, Detroit, Toronto
Dallas
Dallas Mavericks
Houston, Austin, Los Angeles
San Francisco
Golden State Warriors
Seattle, Las Vegas
Houston
Houston Rockets
New Orleans, Memphis
Los Angeles
LA Lakers
Las Vegas, Phoenix
Miami
Miami Heat
Atlanta, New Orleans
Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
New York City, Washington DC
Toronto
Toronto Raptors
Detroit, Buffalo
Make sure to connect to a VPN server from one of our recommended VPNs. If you don’t, your IP address will likely be blocked by NBA League Pass.
EXPERT ADVICE: If you’re blocked from watching a game while connected outside your teams’ blackout area, make sure your IP address isn’t within the opposing team’s blackout region.
The Best VPNs for NBA League Pass (Detailed Analysis)
After testing 61 VPNs with NBA League Pass, we identified three that worked best to live stream blackout NBA games: ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Windscribe.
You can quickly compare our chosen VPNs for NBA League Pass side-by-side in the table below:
1. ExpressVPN: Best Overall VPN for NBA League Pass
ExpressVPN servers that work with NBA League Pass:
For bypassing local blackouts: New York, Atlanta
For bypassing national blackouts: Frankfurt – 1, The Hague
Streams In-Market and Out-of-Market NBA Games
After testing 61 VPNs with NBA League Pass, ExpressVPN was one of only two VPNs that could stream the NBA on US and international Servers.
The benefit of a compatible US server is that you’ll be able to get the fastest speeds while using the VPN.
The advantage of a compatible international server is that you’ll then get access to every blacked-out NBA game, including those on national television.
See how ExpressVPN compares to its main competitors in the table below:
VPN Service
US Server
International Server
ExpressVPN
Yes
No
NordVPN
Yes
No
PrivateVPN
Yes
Yes
Surfshark
Yes
No
Windscribe Free
No
Yes
ExpressVPN’s excellent performance is down to its large server network. To avoid local blackouts, we connected to a streaming-optimized server in one of the 12 US states it offers — spanning both the East and West Coasts.
While other top VPNs, including Private Internet Access and CyberGhost, have servers in even more US locations, we found their IP addresses are blocked by NBA League Pass. Both VPNs failed to unblock a single live game in our tests.
To conceal our real IP address and avoid nationally blacked-out games, we connected to a server in a country outside of the US and Canada. We recommend the Netherlands or Germany, which are subject to fewer blackout restrictions.
Connecting to servers is simple by using ExpressVPN’s easy-to-use software. Simply tap the three dots on the home screen and select the name of the country you want to appear from.
ExpressVPN server list on iOS (left) and Android (right).
Faster Speeds than All Other NBA League Pass VPNs
In our NBA League Pass speed tests, ExpressVPN performed better than every other VPN. Live video streams always loaded in the highest resolution and without buffering.
While connected to server locations that bypassed NBA blackouts, like Germany, we recorded speeds of 94Mbps. This is more than fast enough to stream in a maximum 1080p resolution, which requires a minimum connection speed of 3Mbps.
You can see how ExpressVPN’s connection speeds compared to other VPNs for NBA in the table below:
VPN Service
Average International Download Speed
ExpressVPN
83Mbps
NordVPN
73Mbps
PrivateVPN
73Mbps
Surfshark
75Mbps
Smart DNS Is Ineffective, but Router App Is Superb
Sadly, MediaStreamer doesn’t work with NBA League Pass. ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS service failed to redirect our traffic and we were blocked from streaming any blacked-out games.
To use ExpressVPN on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like Roku, you can install ExpressVPN onto a compatible router. Thankfully, ExpressVPN’s router app is the best we’ve tested and is as easy to use as its other apps.
Spoofs GPS to bypass League Pass blackouts on Android
Good speeds using the WireGuard protocol
Intuitive apps for popular devices
Unlimited simultaneous connections
7-day free trial on mobile
Doesn't bypass national blackout games
Smart DNS feature doesn’t work with NBA League Pass
No dedicated router app
Surfshark is cheaper than ExpressVPN and we recommend it for beating NBA League Pass blackouts on Android mobile devices. Its Android app includes an extremely rare GPS spoofer, to bypass GPS-based mobile restrictions.
Sadly, Surfshark is slower than ExpressVPN across both short and long distances. Also, its international servers don’t work with NBA League Pass, meaning you won’t be able to get around national blackouts.
Surfshark can only bypass local blackout restrictions.
Surfshark servers that work with NBA League Pass:
For bypassing local blackouts: Dallas, Atlanta, Ashburn
Works with NBA League Pass on Android
The NBA League Pass Android app determines your location using GPS as well as your IP address. As connecting to a VPN server typically only changes the latter, almost every VPN we tested failed to stream blackout NBA games on Android.
Surfshark’s Android app includes a rare fake GPS setting that syncs your location with the VPN server’s. Even top-rated VPNs, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, don’t offer this functionality.
You can override your GPS location with Surfshark VPN.
But, while we were impressed with Surfshark’s ability to work with NBA League Pass on Android mobile devices, we were disappointed with the VPN’s compatibility with other devices.
Surfshark’s Smart DNS service failed to change our DNS address on Apple TV and games consoles. There’s also no router app available, so we had to set up a virtual router from our PC to watch games on our Roku and Chromecast.
Doesn’t Stream National Blackout Games
We found that none of Surfshark’s international servers work with NBA League Pass. The service is therefore unable to bypass nationally blackouts, like those on ESPN and TNT.
Many of the VPN’s servers in 18 US states worked, though. You can still get a US VPN IP address from outside the blackout area for local non-televised games.
While connected to Surfshark’s US servers, live streams loaded instantly and without errors. We found that videos streamed more quickly when we connected using the WireGuard protocol, too.
Windscribe is the only free VPN that streams blackout NBA games. All the other free VPNs we tested, like Atlas VPN and Proton VPN, failed to unblock NBA League Pass on any server.
Windscribe is the only VPN that can bypass the NBA’s geo-blocks.
Windscribe server that works with NBA League Pass:
For bypassing national blackouts: Germany – Frankfurt
Limited Server Options
In our tests, we could only stream live NBA games using Windscribe Free’s Germany server. We were blocked from accessing the service while connected to all of its other free locations, like the UK and the US.
While this allowed us to access NBA League Pass International to stream every type of blacked-out games, we could not switch to another server whenever it stopped working.
Although this only happened once, it meant we couldn’t stream any games until Windscribe fixed the issue. The premium VPNs in this list, like ExpressVPN and Surfshark, have dozens of compatible servers to prevent this from happening.
Additionally, connecting to a server in Germany from the US meant our speeds dropped from 100Mbps to 80Mbps. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, recorded a download speed of 97Mbps when we connected to a server in a neighboring state.
Compatible with Every Streaming Device
Windscribe was able to stream live NBA games on all of our devices. It has options for faking your location on Android, Apple TV, and Firestick.
Unlike every other VPN, Windscribe’s Smart DNS feature, Control D, works with NBA League Pass. We used it to stream the service on our PS5 and LG Smart TV. Although it costs extra, Control D has a 30-day free trial and doesn’t require any payment details.
Like Surfshark, Windscribe’s Free App comes with a fake GPS feature for Android. Although it wasn’t as easy to set up as Surfshark’s, it still successfully spoofed our GPS coordinates.
For streaming on Roku and Chromecast, you’ll have to share a VPN connection using your PC’s mobile hotspot. If you don’t have one, you’ll have to use Windscribe’s router configuration files, although this can be complicated and requires a compatible router.
In the table below, you can see how Windscribe Free has more impressive device compatibility than even premium VPN services:
VPN Service
Compatibility Features
Windscribe
Fake GPS, Smart DNS, Router configuration files
ExpressVPN
Native Router app
NordVPN
Router configuration files
PIA
Router configuration files
Surfshark
Fake GPS, Router configuration files
10GB Data Cap Is Frustrating
Windscribe is completely free to use. You don’t have to provide any payment details and the app doesn’t push you to upgrade to a premium subscription.
The VPN imposes a number of restrictions on free accounts, including very few server locations and a 10GB monthly data cap.
We found this data cap sufficient for streaming a single game only, as the NBA app automatically adjusts the resolution depending on your internet speed. This meant we weren’t able to choose a lower resolution to save data.
As such, we only recommend Windscribe Free for watching a one-off blackout NBA game. For regular access to NBA League Pass from anywhere, you’ll have to use a paid VPN with unlimited bandwidth.
Popular VPNs We Don’t Recommend for NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass imposes stricter VPN blocks than most other streaming services. ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Windscribe Free were the only VPNs that met or exceeded our testing criteria.
As you’d expect, a VPN automatically failed our tests if it couldn’t stream any blacked-out NBA games. But we also excluded VPNs for other reasons, like poor streaming device compatibility and insufficient download speeds.
Here are five popular VPNs we tested and the reasons why they didn’t make our list of the best VPNs for NBA League Pass:
CyberGhost
Reason for exclusion:
Doesn’t work with NBA League Pass on any of its servers
CyberGhost failed to stream any NBA games on League Pass.
CyberGhost claims that it “works perfectly with NBA League Pass” on all of its servers. However, we were unable to watch a single live NBA game while connected to a server in any of its 100 server locations.
NordVPN
Reason for exclusion:
Doesn’t work with NBA League Pass on international servers
No GPS spoofing functionality
NordVPN can’t work around national blackout restrictions.
Although other VPN review websites state that NordVPN is the best VPN for NBA League Pass, our tests found that, unlike ExpressVPN and Windscribe, NordVPN can’t stream nationally blacked-out NBA games.
While connected to NordVPN’s international server locations, our IP address was always blocked by NBA League Pass. This meant that we were unable to stream games that were broadcast on a national network.
In fact, we’ve also come across anecdotal accounts on reddit that suggest NordVPN doesn’t work with NBA League pass.
Although it did work to bypass local blackout restrictions, it’s an inferior choice to Surfshark as it doesn’t include a fake GPS feature for Android devices.
Private Internet Access
Reason for exclusion:
Doesn’t work with NBA League Pass on any of its servers
PIA couldn’t access NBA League Pass on any of its servers.
Similarly to CyberGhost, PIA VPN claims it “works great with NBA League Pass” on any “server location of your choice.”
Despite its vast network of 18,651 servers, we were unable to stream NBA League Pass while connected to any of them.
PrivateVPN
Reason for exclusion:
No GPS spoofing functionality
No Smart DNS feature
No router app
Slow international download speeds
PrivateVPN can stream NBA League Pass, but it isn’t compatible with many streaming devices.
Along with ExpressVPN, PrivateVPN is one of only two VPNs that successfully streamed live NBA games on US and international servers.
Although it is excellent at bypassing geo-blocks, it didn’t make our recommendations due to its slow speeds and poor device compatibility. Using it, our content sometimes buffered and would only stream in SD.
Additionally, we couldn’t use it to bypass NBA blackouts on Android, Apple TV, or Roku. This is because the VPN lacks fake GPS, Smart DNS, and a router app.
VeePN
Reason for exclusion:
Doesn’t work with NBA League Pass on any of its servers
VeePN promotes itself as the “best VPN for NBA League Pass” and claims all 60 of its server locations bypass blackouts.
All of VeePN’s server IP addresses are blocked by NBA League Pass.
However, our tests found that VeeVPN is unable to work around any blackout restrictions. All of its IP addresses were blocked and we were shown an error message.
How We Tested & Chose the Best VPNs for NBA League Pass
We put 61 VPN services through our custom NBA VPN testing methodology to find the best free and premium options.
Each VPN was tested using NBA League Pass in a Google Chrome browser on a PC running Windows 10. If compatible, it was then tested on Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV.
We tested 61 VPNs to see which could bypass local blackouts.
You can read a more detailed explanation of how we tested and picked the best VPNs for NBA league pass below.
1. Bypassing Local Blackouts (30%)
Test Conducted: We tested and recorded each VPN’s ability to stream NBA games while connected to servers on the East and West Coasts of the US.
Why It’s Important: A top NBA VPN should be able to bypass local blackouts, like those imposed by NBA League Pass and NBA TV, via a nearby server in the US. That way, you can maintain the fastest possible internet speeds.
Optimal Result: Consistent access to NBA League Pass on the East and West coast of the US alongside a large US server network.
2. Bypassing National Blackouts (30%)
Test Conducted: We tried to access games subject to national blackout restrictions while connected to VPN servers outside the US and Canada. We recorded the result for each VPN.
Why It’s Important: To ensure access to every blacked-out NBA game, including those on ESPN and TNT.
Optimal Result: Works to unblock NBA League Pass in at least two server locations outside of North America.
3. Speed (20%)
Test Conducted: We performed hundreds of speed tests while connected to each VPN’s servers in the US, as well as in international locations like Germany and the Netherlands.
Why It’s Important: Fast download speeds are essential for streaming NBA games in HD without any buffering.
Optimal Result: An average download speed loss of less than 15% across all locations.
4. Streaming Device Compatibility (20%)
Test Conducted: We downloaded each VPN’s software on every possible platform. If available, we also installed it on a router and tested its Smart DNS functionality.
Why It’s Important: To access geo-blocked NBA games on all of your devices, a VPN has to provide extra features for devices that don’t support VPN apps. Like Smart DNS functionality for Smart TVs and a GPS spoofing tool for Android.
Optimal Result: VPN apps with a GUI for router, mobile, desktop, and streaming devices. Plus, a Smart DNS tool and GPS spoofing capabilities on Android.
How to Bypass NBA League Pass Error Codes
If your VPN isn’t working with NBA League Pass, most often it’s because the IP address of the VPN server has been banned.
The most effective fix is to use a top NBA VPN and connect to a compatible server. Then, open NBA League Pass in a private browsing window, as this will prevent the browser from storing cookies and cache.
For specific instructions on how to work around the two most common NBA League Pass error codes, see the sections below.
Error Code 7027: Out of country blocked because client is neither in home country nor in content portability region
NBA League Pass displays the 7027 error message when it detects you’re using a VPN. To fix this, you’ll have to use one of the VPNs we recommend and connect to a server that accesses geo-blocked NBA games.
Error Code: 3312: Content restricted for geolocation
You will see the 3312 error message if your IP address is within the blackout region. To get around this, connect to a VPN server where the game is accessible.
You can view the regions where the most popular teams are blacked out in our summary table.
Why Are NBA Games Blacked Out?
NBA League Pass enforces two types of blackout restrictions. Firstly, games that are broadcast on national TV channels, like ESPN, are not available to stream anywhere in the US.
Secondly, games that are broadcast on NBA TV or local TV channels, like regional sports networks (RSNs), are not available in the local blackout region but are accessible elsewhere.
These restrictions are enforced to protect the NBA’s revenue from TV contracts with broadcasters like ESPN and RSNs. These deals are the biggest source of revenue for the NBA.
In fact, it’s been reported that the NBA will earn a total of $76 billion over 11 years from its latest rights deals with broadcasters. Additionally, teams can earn between $9.4 million to $149 million from local TV deals.
However, local NBA blackout laws may ease in the future. In March 2023, the owner of the Bally Sports Network RSN filed for bankruptcy.
In response, it’s been suggested that the “NBA might consider lifting its NBA League Pass local blackouts” given that more than half of NBA teams “have contracts with RSNs whose […] futures are uncertain.”
For now, though, the only way to stream blacked-out NBA games is to connect to a VPN server outside of the blackout zone.
Why Are NBA TV Games Blocked in My Area?
Every NBA League Pass subscription includes NBA TV, but you may be blocked from accessing some games if you’re not using a VPN.
If you’re being blocked from NBA TV, it’s because the game is being simulcast by an RSN in your region. For example, if a game is being simultaneously broadcast by NBA TV and the YES Network, you won’t be able to access either stream if you’re in Brooklyn.
To bypass this, simply connect to a VPN server located in a different market, like Los Angeles or Washington DC.