If you’re a die-hard hockey fan, there’s nothing more frustrating than running into blackouts. You might be a fan of the Detroit Red Wings but live outside their market. Or you’re traveling and trying to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs. NHL game blackouts can be incredibly frustrating. How to watch blackout NHL games and unblock these restrictions?
In this guide, we’ll dive into some details of blackout NHL games online. It covers all the common blackouts you might face. And you’ll see how BearVPN helps you enjoy the action no matter where you are.
What Are NHL Game Blackouts?
NHL blackouts are broadcasting restrictions that prevent certain games from being televised or streamed in specific geographic areas. These blackouts are generally tied to broadcasting rights agreements and can be broken down into three main types:
1. Local Market Blackouts
If you live in the market of a specific NHL team, the game might be blacked out on ESPN+ or NHL.tv. This is to encourage local viewership through regional sports networks (RSNs). For example, you’re in Detroit and the Red Wings are playing. Then their game might be unavailable on ESPN+, because it’s being broadcast locally on Fox Sports Detroit.
2. National Broadcast Blackouts:
Some games are broadcast exclusively on national channels like ESPN, TNT, or Sportsnet. When this happens, these games will often be blacked out on regional networks in the local markets of the teams involved. For instance, the Boston Bruins are playing on TNT but unavailable locally on NESN, which would normally broadcast the game.
3. Streaming Service Blackouts:
Even if you’re using services like ESPN+ or NHL.tv, blackouts can occur if a game is being broadcast on a regional sports network or national network. For example, if a game is being shown on NBC Sports or TNT, the streaming service will block access in certain regions. This is to encourage viewers to watch via the network’s feed instead.
How to Watch Blackout NHL Games with 4 Solutions?
You see what blackouts are. Now the question is: how to watch blackout NHL games when they’re blacked out in your region? Luckily, there are several methods to bypass these restrictions and still enjoy the action on the ice.
Let’s look at some most feasible solutions.
1. Use BearVPN (Virtual Private Network)
One of the most popular and effective ways to bypass NHL blackouts is VPN. BearVPN allows you to change your virtual location to access NHL games. It’s done by masking your IP address and routing your internet traffic through a server in a different region.
Let’s say you live in Toronto, and you want to watch a Montreal Canadiens game. However, it’s blacked out in your region. By connecting to the BearVPN server in New York or Chicago, you can bypass the blackout and watch the game on ESPN+ or NHL.tv.
Here’s how to watch blackout NHL games with BearVPN in 3 steps:
- Download BearVPN for your Device: You can download and install the BearVPN for iPhone, MacBook Air, Android smartphone, and Windows desktop from the App store or the official website easily.
- Connect to a Server in a Non-Blackout Area: Once you’ve installed BearVPN, you can connect to a server in a location where the game is not blacked out. If you’re in a market where the game is blacked out, you can connect to a server in another state or country to access the stream.
- Stream the Game: After connecting to the server, you can access streaming platforms like ESPN+, NHL.tv, or any other service that would typically show the game. Since your IP address is masked, the streaming platform will recognize you as being in a different location, allowing you to bypass the blackout.
2. Try a Different Streaming Service
Sometimes, the best solution for how to watch blackout NHL games is by switching to a streaming service that isn’t subject to the same blackout restrictions. Depending on your region, some platforms may offer more flexible access to NHL games. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular options:
- ESPN+ (USA): In the U.S., ESPN+ is one of the go-to platforms for NHL streaming. However, keep in mind that regional blackouts do apply to this service as well. The good news is that ESPN+ covers out-of-market games, so you can watch games that are outside of your local market.
Pro Tip: If you’re trying to watch a game involving your local team, you might encounter a blackout. Using BearVPN can help you bypass this limitation.
- NHL.tv: NHL’s own streaming service, NHL.tv, offers live out-of-market game broadcasts. However, as with ESPN+, regional blackouts can still apply. If your team is playing and it’s being broadcast locally, you’ll need to either attend the game or tune in via a regional sports network.
Solution: For fans in blackout zones, NHL.tv has made improvements by offering an “out-of-market” package for non-local games. Use a VPN to access games from other regions!
- FuboTV & Sling TV: These live TV streaming services provide access to channels like TNT, ESPN, and NBC Sports. While they do carry national broadcasts of NHL games, local broadcast blackouts still apply.
Solution: A VPN can help you access the broadcast from another region and stream the game.
3. Watch Through a Regional Sports Network (RSN)
If you’re living in a market where your team is the home team, your game will typically be broadcast on a Regional Sports Network (RSN). These networks are often tied to specific cable or satellite providers, and they may offer streaming through their apps. Examples of RSNs include:
- NESN (New England Sports Network) for Boston Bruins fans
- Fox Sports for teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, and others
By subscribing to the right cable service or using an app tied to an RSN, you can watch your local games directly. However, unless you are using a VPN, this doesn’t always help if you’re trying to access an out-of-market game.
4. Check for Free Online Streams (Legally)
One case is that you’re not a VPN fan but want to know how to watch blackout NHL games. Well, sometimes the NHL itself will provide free streaming of certain games on platforms like YouTube or via official team websites.
For example, some teams may stream preseason games or special events without blackouts. Keep an eye out for promotions or events where free viewing might be available.
How to Watch NHL Games While Traveling Abroad?
Traveling abroad can be another headache for NHL fans. ESPN+ and NHL.tv are both restricted to viewers in the U.S. and Canada, so if you’re overseas, you may not be able to access your usual streams. Thankfully, BearVPN can help you watch NHL games even while traveling abroad.
All you need to do is to simply install BearVPN and connect to a server in Your Home country.
When you’re outside the U.S. or Canada, simply connect to a VPN server in your home country. This will give you an IP address from that region and allow you to access streaming services like ESPN+ or NHL.tv, as if you were still at home.
With your VPN active, open your streaming service, and the restrictions will be bypassed. You can watch all the NHL games available in your home country without issue, even if you’re sitting in a café in Paris or Tokyo!
How to Watch Out-of-Market NHL Games?
If you live in a city where your team’s games aren’t broadcast, or if you’re simply interested in watching teams outside your market, you have a few options.
Both ESPN+ and NHL.tv offer out-of-market game packages. However, if you’re trying to watch a game outside your local area, BearVPN is your best bet to bypass blackout restrictions. If you want to watch a Vancouver Canucks game but live in Florida, you can use a VPN. So that you can connect to a server in Vancouver or another region where the game is available.
Services like FuboTV or DirecTV Stream that include RSNs can be paired with BearVPN. Connect to a server in a location where your game is available, and you’ll be able to stream the game without issues
Frequently Asked Questions About NHL Game Blackouts
Can I watch blackout NHL games with a VPN?
Yes! By connecting to a server with BearVPN in a dfferent location where the game is available, you can bypass NHL blackouts and enjoy the game.
How do NHL blackouts work?
NHL blackouts happen when certain games are shown on regional sports networks or national networks like ESPN or TNT. And streaming services block access in those regions to respect broadcast rights.
Can I use BearVPN to watch out-of-market NHL games?
Yes! BearVPN allows you to change your virtual location and access out-of-market games on platforms like NHL.tv or ESPN+.
Conclusion
Blackout restrictions may be a part of the NHL broadcasting system, but with the right tools, they don’t have to stop you from watching your favorite team. By using a VPN, you can easily bypass local and national blackouts, whether you’re at home or traveling abroad.
So, next time you’re facing an NHL blackout and wondering how to watch blackout NHL games, just fire up BearVPN, connect to the right server, and enjoy the game without interruptions!
