Unlock March Madness 2024: How To Watch the NCAA Tournament from Anywhere with a VPN

The NCAA Tournament, known as March Madness, has begun! You can watch the event on YouTube TV, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and SlingTV. Running from Tuesday, March 19, until Monday, April 8, the annual NCAA college basketball tournament is shaping up to be a spectacle, as always.

But if you’re like other fans, geographical and broadcasting limits may prevent you from streaming March Madness online. A VPN can overcome these barriers, securing your connection and bypassing restrictions for global access. Elevate your experience with the best VPN services, ensuring you enjoy every moment of the 2024 NCAA Tournament unrestricted and securely.

Where to watch NCAA Tournament games

Choosing the right platform for watching the NCAA tournament will enhance your viewing experience. You can pick from live TV streaming services to traditional cable channels. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you decide:

Streaming Services

• YouTube TV: With access to over 85 channels — including CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV, which all broadcast NCAA Tournament games — YouTube TV is a comprehensive option for college basketball fans. The service offers a free trial for new users, allowing you to catch a good portion of the tournament without a commitment.
• FuboTV: FuboTV is known for its focus on sports content, making it a great choice to let you watch NCAA Tournament games. Although it primarily caters to soccer fans, it also offers channels that cover March Madness. A free trial is available, letting you dive into the games immediately.
• Hulu + Live TV: Offering a mix of live TV, sports channels, and on-demand content, Hulu + Live TV includes networks that broadcast the NCAA Tournament. New subscribers can use a free trial to stream the tournament games and access Hulu's extensive library of shows and movies.
• SlingTV: SlingTV provides a flexible and cost-effective way to watch March Madness, offering packages that include ESPN, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. It doesn't offer CBS in its standard packages, so an antenna or additional subscription might be necessary for complete coverage. SlingTV often runs promotions for new customers, including discounted rates.

Dedicated Sports and Network Streaming Platforms

• ESPN+: While ESPN+ doesn't directly broadcast NCAA Tournament games, it provides extensive coverage, analysis, and highlights of March Madness. It's an excellent supplement for die-hard sports fans who want more than just the live games.
• Paramount+: As the streaming service for CBS, Paramount+ is your ticket to watching NCAA games broadcast on CBS, including some of the early rounds and Selection Sunday. A free trial is available, making it easy to start streaming.

Cable and OTT Platforms

• DirecTV Stream: This service offers a comprehensive package for sports fans, including channels that cover the NCAA Tournament. DirecTV Stream may be pricier, but it's a solid option for those who prefer a more traditional TV viewing experience.
• Apple TV: Through the Apple TV app, users can subscribe to CBS All Access (Paramount+) or other streaming services that offer NCAA Tournament games.
• Android TV: Like Apple TV, Android TV allows users to access multiple streaming apps like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and ESPN+.

Traditional Cable

• Cable TV channels: Traditional cable subscribers have direct access to watch NCAA Tournament matches through CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. For those with a cable package, this is the most straightforward method, offering live coverage without additional subscriptions.

When to watch March Madness: 2024 schedule

Dates	Event round
Tuesday, March 19 - Wednesday, March 20	First Four
Thursday, March 21 - Sunday, March 24	First and second rounds
Thursday, March 28 - Sunday, March 31	Regional semi-finals and finals
Saturday, April 6 - Monday, April 8	Final Four
Monday, April 8	Championship

How to stream NCAA college basketball with a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) is an important tool for unblocking geo-restrictions. You can use a VPN to bypass blackouts and access March Madness games on platforms like ESPN and CBS Sports. Thanks to extensive server networks, VPNs allow users to gain privacy and security while offering high-quality viewing experiences. Here’s how.

Smart TVs

1. Choose a reliable VPN service: Select a VPN service known for its fast streaming speeds, strong security features, and a wide range of server locations, including plenty in the United States.
2. Install the VPN on your device: Download and install the app on a device that supports VPNs and can connect to your TV. This could be a smart TV, a streaming device like an Amazon Fire Stick or Apple TV, or a gaming console.
3. Connect to a U.S. server: Open the VPN application on your device and connect to a server located in the United States.
4. Choose your streaming service: Select a streaming service that offers live broadcasts of the NCAA tournament. Ensure that your chosen service is available on your device.
5. Connect your device to your TV: If using a smart TV, install the streaming service's app directly on your TV and log in. If using a streaming device or console, ensure your device is connected to your TV via an HDMI cable. Download the app for your chosen streaming service on the device, log in, and start streaming March Madness.

PC and macOS

1. Select a VPN service: Choose a VPN service that offers fast speeds, many U.S. servers, and strong privacy features.
2. Download and install the VPN: For Windows and Mac, visit your chosen VPN's website, sign up for a plan, and download the VPN client for your operating system. Follow the installation instructions provided on the website or within the installation wizard.
3. Connect to a U.S. server: Open the VPN application on your computer. Look for a list of server locations and select a server based in the United States.
4. Choose a streaming service: Identify a streaming service that offers NCAA March Madness games. Options include NCAA's own March Madness Live, CBS All Access, Hulu + Live TV, or ESPN+. Make sure you have a valid subscription.
5. Access the stream: Navigate to the streaming service: Open your web browser and go to the website of the streaming service you've chosen. Log in or sign up as necessary. Check the game schedules and start the stream a few minutes early to avoid missing any action.

Android and iOS

1. Choose a VPN service: Select a VPN service that boasts fast streaming speeds, a large selection of U.S. servers, and excellent security features.
2. Install the VPN app:
   
   For iOS (iPhone/iPad): Go to the App Store, search for your chosen VPN service, and download the app. After installation, follow the app's setup instructions.
   
   For Android: Open the Google Play Store, find your selected VPN service, and download the app. Complete the setup process as guided by the app.
3. Connect to a U.S. server: Open the VPN app on your phone and select a server location within the United States.
4. Choose your streaming platform: Select a streaming service that broadcasts NCAA March Madness and ensure you have an active subscription.
5. Start streaming: Open the app store on your device and download the app for the streaming service you've chosen. Launch the app, sign in, and navigate to the NCAA March Madness live stream.

Best VPNs to stream March Madness NCAA basketball

When selecting a VPN, you should look for a VPN that has fast streaming speeds, a wide number of U.S. server locations, robust security, and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions. These features will allow you to view March Madness games without lag, buffering, or content blocks. Our top picks are:

• NordVPN has an extensive network of 1,970+ servers in the U.S. alone. NordVPN’s SmartDNS technology also ensures you have a smooth streaming experience on any device. With its double VPN encryption and other security features, NordVPN offers peace of mind online. NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can experience March Madness risk-free.

• Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can watch games on any device, anywhere. With over 600 servers in the U.S., Surfshark ensures you can access March Madness games without facing geo-restrictions. Its CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware to enhance your viewing experience. Surfshark's 30-day money-back guarantee makes it an attractive option for fans streaming the tournament securely on multiple devices.

• ExpressVPN offers 24 servers in the U.S., strong encryption, and privacy protections to ensure your online activities remain anonymous. It also boasts a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test its capabilities without a long-term commitment.

Best VPNs to stream March Madness games compared

NCAA March Madness FAQs

Bottom line: Stream NCAA March Madness in style

During NCAA’s March Madness, VPNs emerge as an invaluable ally. They break down the geo-restriction barriers and broadcasting limitations to deliver all the drama to you, regardless of your location. With a VPN — and an abundance of platforms at your fingertips — you won’t miss a single basket.

Don’t let anything stand in your way: Discover our best VPN services to find the perfect VPN partner to secure, enhance, and revolutionize how you watch the NCAA Tournament.