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Best VPN
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Best U.S. State Selection
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Best Value
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Catching every NFL game in 2026 can be a challenge, as blackout rules block local broadcasts and regional networks decide which matchups to air. Traveling can also change your access mid-season. A reliable VPN can get around those hurdles by connecting you to a server in the game’s broadcast area.
Three services proved to be the most dependable for watching NFL games: NordVPN for fast, private connections, Private Internet Access for broad U.S. server coverage, and Surfshark for streaming on unlimited devices. Here's our hands-on breakdown of why these are our top picks for NFL VPNs.
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#1 rated VPN with 9,000+ servers in 165+ countries
Reliably unblock popular streaming services like Netflix with a single click
All-in-one security product with antivirus, ad blocker, password manager, and more
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One of the only VPNs to have a server in every U.S. state, perfect for surpassing state restrictions
Affordable monthly price plus unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices
Fast connection speeds that seamlessly unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
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Unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices (Rare perk)
Block YouTube ads and malware when connected
4,500+ servers worldwide that are fast and reliable
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| Best for | Best overall | Best for sports streaming and betting | Best value |
| Star rating | |||
| Starting price | $3.39/mo | $2.03/mo | $1.99/mo |
| Max # of devices | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| # of servers | 9,000+ servers in 165+ countries | Unlisted in 90 countries | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| # of servers in the US | 3,100+ servers in 12 states | Servers in 50 states | 600+ servers in 19 states |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get PIA | Get Surfshark |
#1 rated VPN with 9,000+ servers in 165+ countries
Reliably unblock popular streaming services like Netflix with a single click
All-in-one security product with antivirus, ad blocker, password manager, and more
Advanced privacy and security: NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs on the market. It boasts strong proprietary encryption protocols, a no-logs policy that has been repeatedly verified via third-party testing, and a stellar reputation as part of the Nord Security suite. Additionally, it offers double VPN, Onion over VPN, and NordVPN Threat Protection for enhanced privacy and security.
Specialty servers: Its SmartPlay feature combines VPN and Smart DNS technology, making it easier to bypass location restrictions without any extra setup. Specialty servers, including those with obfuscation for more secure (and private) networks, are useful if you’re streaming from airports or offices.
Fast, reliable streaming: NordVPN consistently delivered in our NFL streaming tests, even when connected to servers across the country. High-definition games loaded quickly and stayed stable through entire games, even during peak viewing hours.
Kill switch hiccup: During testing, NordVPN’s kill switch kept blocking our internet connection even when it was turned off, necessitating a support chat to resolve the issue. Although the fix was straightforward, it could still frustrate first-time users.
Can’t select servers by city: Although NordVPN offers an extensive server network, we can only choose our location based on the country instead of the city. While connecting to the country is sufficient for bypassing international content restrictions, connecting to specific cities could help with regional geo-blocks.
| Price range | $3.39–$25.29/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes – 30 days |
| Number of servers | 9,000+ servers in 165+ countries |
| Number of connected devices | 10 |
| Number of servers in the US | 3,100+ servers in 12 states |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), NordWhisper |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
To assess NordVPN’s performance, we conducted tests to review impact on speed, ability to unblock Netflix's geo-restrictions, and protection against potential data leaks.
NordVPN passed all three tests with flying colors. It has minimal impact on our speeds, unblocked all the Netflix libraries we tested, and prevented all data leaks.
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| Speed | Decreased our download speeds by an average of 16% |
| Netflix | Unblocked Netflix U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia |
| DNS leak | Passed, no DNS leaks |
| WebRTC leak | Passed, no WebRTC leaks |
| Kill switch | Passed, no trace of our physical location when switching servers |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN |
NordVPN has a perfect star rating of 5.0 and is our top VPN recommendation. You can expect a user-friendly experience, standard VPN features along with helpful extras, an audited no-logs policy, and intuitive apps across devices.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 15% | 5.0 |
| Value | 11% | 5.0 |
| Features | 30.5% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 20% | 5.0 |
| Privacy and security | 9.5% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 3% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 5% | 5.0 |
One of the only VPNs to have a server in every U.S. state, perfect for surpassing state restrictions
Affordable monthly price plus unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices
Fast connection speeds that seamlessly unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
Servers in every U.S. state: Private Internet Access (PIA) has servers in all 50 states, so you have flexibility when targeting the right broadcast zone. Speeds were steady enough for HD streaming, and the apps provide customization for experienced users.
Plus, PIA is one of the best VPNs for accessing sports betting and gambling sites while traveling. Learn how to place secure bets in our step-by-step guide.
Unlimited simultaneous connections connections: PIA supports unlimited simultaneous connections on one subscription, making it simple to stream NFL games on multiple screens at home or on the go. The mobile app mirrors the desktop experience, delivering reliable performance for travel or game-day streaming outside the house.
Undisclosed servers: Unlike NordVPN and Surfshark, PIA doesn’t disclose the number of VPN servers in its network. It only discloses the number of countries with VPN servers, which at 90 countries is still fewer than its top competitors. Most top VPNs operate in over 100 countries.
Headquartered in the U.S.: PIA operates out of Colorado, in the United States, which means it is a part of the Five Eyes Alliance, an international intelligence-sharing alliance. For some, this may raise concerns.
However, PIA has a no-logs policy that has been tested by independent auditor Deloitte, who found that PIA upholds this policy.[1]
| Price range | $2.03–$11.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes – 30 days |
| Number of servers | Unlisted in 90 countries |
| Number of servers in the US | Servers in 50 states |
| Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec (iOS only) |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
We conducted hands-on testing with Private Internet Access to determine how well it can maintain your speeds, unblock geo-restrictions, and prevent data leaks.
Private Internet Access is a top performer, having unblocked all the Netflix libraries we tested and preventing all data leaks. It just had higher than average impact on our download speeds.
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| Speed | Decreased our download speeds by an average of 58% |
| Netflix | Unblocked Netflix U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia |
| DNS leak | Passed, no DNS leaks |
| WebRTC leak | Passed, no WebRTC leaks |
| Kill switch | Passed, no trace of our physical location when switching servers |
| Learn more | Get Private Internet Access |
Private Internet Access has a high star rating of 4.7 due to its low starting price, unlimited simultaneous connections, full suite of must-have VPN features, and audited no-logs policy.
Private Internet Access received a lower score in the experience category because the interface can be confusing for new VPN users. It also received a lower score in the test results category due to its impact on our speeds.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 15% | 4.0 |
| Value | 11% | 5.0 |
| Features | 30.5% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 20% | 4.0 |
| Privacy and security | 9.5% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 3% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 5% | 5.0 |
Unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices (Rare perk)
Block YouTube ads and malware when connected
4,500+ servers worldwide that are fast and reliable
Unlimited devices: During our testing, Surfshark handled 4K NFL streaming without a single stutter, no matter how many devices were connected. It works across a wide range of platforms, including smart TVs, streaming sticks, gaming consoles, and mobile devices, so every screen in the house can stay connected.
Ad blocker bundle: Surfshark’s built-in CleanWeb tool eliminates ads and trackers, ensuring streams load quickly and without interruptions. In our testing, it blocked most ads and pop-ups, reducing page clutter and helping streams start faster.
Usability: Navigating between server locations in the app was quick and hassle-free, requiring only a few clicks to find the right feed for a specific NFL matchup.
High monthly cost: While long-term plans are competitively priced, the month-to-month option is less budget-friendly. However, Surfshark compensates by offering a seven-day free trial for Android, iOS, and macOS devices (as long as you download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store).
Performance dip during testing: During a location switch, the kill switch failed to trigger, briefly exposing our real IP. This is a rare but noteworthy issue for those seeking uninterrupted privacy.
| Price range | $1.99–$20.85/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes – 30 days |
| Number of servers | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Number of servers in the US | 600+ servers in 19 states |
| Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
We conducted several tests on Surfshark to assess its performance: speed tests to measure impact, Netflix tests to unblock geo-restrictions, and leak tests to determine privacy protection.
Surfshark went above and beyond, causing minimal impact on our download speeds and unblocked all the Netflix libraries we tested. It also recently passed all three leak tests.
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| Speed | Decreased our download speeds by an average of 8% |
| Netflix | Unblocked Netflix U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia |
| DNS leak | Passed, no DNS leaks |
| WebRTC leak | Passed, no WebRTC leaks |
| Kill switch | Passed, no trace of our physical location when switching servers |
| Learn more | Get Surfshark |
Surfshark has a perfect star rating of 5.0 because of its affordable plan pricing, allowance for unlimited simultaneous connections, a robust server network and features, and audited no-logs policy.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 15% | 5.0 |
| Value | 11% | 5.0 |
| Features | 30.5% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 20% | 5.0 |
| Privacy and security | 9.5% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 3% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 5% | 5.0 |
Smooth streaming depends on more than just unblocking a feed; it’s about keeping that feed stable once the game starts. In our tests, all three VPNs kept NFL streams running without stutter.
NordVPN had the smallest impact on our download speeds, and Surfshark wasn’t far behind with a 10.84% speed loss. Although PIA dropped our download speeds significantly more, our high starting speed meant the drop never caused buffering.
| VPN speed to US server | Normal speed | Speed loss | |
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287.18 Mbps | 304.86 Mbps | -5.80% |
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220.80 Mbps | 393.39 Mbps | -43.87% |
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426.39 Mbps | 445.13 Mbps | -10.84% |
Regional broadcast rules often prevent NFL fans from watching every game, whether due to local blackouts in the U.S. or country-specific streaming restrictions abroad.
A VPN solves this by allowing you to connect through a server in the area where the game is being broadcast. For example, you can choose a Los Angeles server to watch a West Coast feed from Chicago, or switch to a U.S. server overseas to access NFL Game Pass.
Here’s a simple way to do it:
NordVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access offer the best mix of speed, streaming reliability, and coverage for watching NFL games anywhere. NordVPN is the best overall based on its performance, price, and perks.
Surfshark adds unlimited device support for multi-screen households, while PIA’s servers in every U.S. state make it great for regional game access.
Whether bypassing NFL blackouts or watching the NFL from abroad, these three deliver a smooth, game-day-ready experience.
We complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.
Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. However, streaming services probably have rules against changing your location, so check their terms of service.
Yes, a VPN can help you access regional or international streams in real time, provided your internet connection can handle HD or 4K streaming speeds.
In many cases, yes, as long as you connect to a VPN server in the region where the game is available on YouTube TV’s lineup. Learn more about how to change your YouTube TV location to access regional content.
Some networks and platforms stream select NFL games for free, but availability varies, and a VPN can help access those streams when they’re region locked.
#1 rated VPN with 9,000+ servers in 165+ countries
Reliably unblock popular streaming services like Netflix with a single click
All-in-one security product with antivirus, ad blocker, password manager, and more
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