The 2026 MLB regular season will take place from March 25 to September 27, kicking off with an Opening Night matchup between the Yankees and Giants in San Francisco, followed by a full schedule of games on March 26. The best way to watch all baseball games is by subscribing to MLB.TV. For less than $100 a year, you can watch all games live or on demand.
However, there’s a catch: you can’t watch local matches due to local broadcasting exclusivity, which is also known as the MLB.TV blackouts. Luckily, you can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. With this technology, you can get an IP address outside the restricted zone and watch the blackout matches in your area.
Read this article to learn about the best MLB.TV VPNs and how to use them to bypass the blackout restrictions.
A VPN will let you watch MLB blackout games by making it seem as if you are outside the blackout zone. MLB.TV has local, regional and national blackouts due to licensing restrictions. If the rights are in the hands of a broadcasting company such as ABC in your region, you can’t watch the baseball match through MLB.TV, even though you have an MLB TV subscription.
We understand it’s very frustrating to be put in the dugout like this. Fortunately, there is a workaround. MLB.TV will use your IP address to determine your location. With a VPN you can change your virtual location to a location without MLB blackouts restrictions. All you have to do is connect to a VPN server.
A VPN will help you bypass blackouts even if your MLB.TV account is linked to Amazon Prime Video, Fubo, ESPN+, or SlingTV. Without a VPN, you’d still be running into blackout games and not be able to watch all the games of your favorite team.
Our favorite VPN to watch MLB.TV is NordVPN. This provider has many servers in the U.S and their map view lets us easily connect to a server in any state. Since NordVPN offers excellent speed, we have been able to watch all baseball games without lag.
VPNs that work with MLB.TV
NordVPN: Best MLB.TV VPN overall for bypassing blackouts
Proton VPN: Privacy-oriented VPN for MLB.TV blackout workaround
How to Watch MLB Blackout Games With a VPN (Quick Guide)
Watching an MLB game with a VPN is fairly easy. This is how you bypass MLB restrictions and watch all major league baseball games.
How to Bypass MBL Restrictions:
Sign up to a premium VPN provider. We recommend NordVPN because it has close to 2000 servers in 16 US locations: Perfect for bypassing MLB.TV blackouts.
Download and install the NordVPN app on your device.
Open the NordVPN app and sign in.
Connect to a server in a nearby state where the MLB game you want to watch is not blacked out.
Open an incognito screen in your browser or clear your browsing cookies.
Go to MLB.TV and enjoy the game!
With a VPN you can get a US IP address anywhere. As a result, you can stream MLB TV from anywhere, even outside the U.S.A.
Scroll down for a more detailed description on how to bypass MLB blackouts on different devices. Before we get to that, we will discuss which VPNs are best suited for watching baseball online without restrictions.
Best VPNs for MLB.TV Compared
Besides NordVPN, there are some other excellent choices for watching MLB TV. We’ve tested over 20 VPNs in total, and based on our 2026 updates, we’ve narrowed it down to the three best options. For a quick take, here are the top 3 best VPNs for MLB TV that we’ve picked.
Below we will discuss each VPN in more detail. But first, we will explain how we have selected these VPNs.
What We Look For in the Best VPNs for MLB.TV
If you are looking for a VPN to watch MLB TV in places where it’s blacked out or downright unavailable, some criteria are important. These are the things we have given priority in choosing the best VPNs for watching baseball:
Number of servers in the US: We took extra care to select VPN services with a broad server selection across US states. This way, you’ll easily find the right connection spot to bypass MLB.TV blackouts.
Ability to bypass restrictions: We checked how well each VPN can bypass MLB.TV geo-restrictions and favored the ones with extra features that help unlock content. These include obfuscated servers, proprietary tunneling protocols like NordWhisper, and strong encryption protocols.
Speed: Stable and fast connection speeds are very important when streaming sports online live. We looked for superior connection speeds and a good initial speed retention rate, so you could enjoy your games lag-free.
Compatibility: We looked for VPNs that are compatible with various devices, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and gaming consoles, so you can watch your games and bypass MLB.TV restrictions anytime, anywhere.
VPNs with a large server network in the U.S, fast servers and great possibilities for unblocking, such as NordVPN, are perfect to watch every MLB match.
Lisanne Vroomen
VPN Expert
Best MLB.TV VPNs for the 2026 Season
Based on the specific requirements for accessing MLB.TV where it’s unavailable, we have selected the best VPNs to stream baseball online. Below, you’ll find our detailed reviews, highlighting why each of these VPNs is our favorite choice for streaming on MLB.TV.
NordVPN is the best overall MLB.TV VPN, as it offers plenty of high-speed servers in the US, perfect for bypassing MLB.TV blackouts. Additionally, the service’s unique tunneling protocol, NordLynx, allowed us to stream the baseball games without any lag or buffering.
In total, NordVPN offers close to 2000 US servers in 16 locations. This alone made it easy to find connection spots close to blackout zones for unblocking and optimal performance. We could choose a server location on the interactive map or select one from the full list.
If you’re stuck with particularly robust restrictions, we recommend choosing one of NordVPN’s obfuscated servers, which will bypass the hurdles more easily. Alternatively, select the NordWhisper tunneling protocol that masks your VPN use and allows you to circumvent VPN blocks you may encounter.
Our research showed that NordVPN’s claim to be the fastest VPN in the industry was true. No matter which US server we chose, we could watch the Mets, the Yankees, or the Giants play lag- and buffer-free. This is true even when connecting from Europe, so if you’re traveling during the season, you can still catch the games easily from abroad.
NordVPN is compatible with all the major OSs and can be used on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. We liked that NordVPN offers a 3-day free trial option for Android device users and that all subscriptions are protected with a 30-day money-back guarantee, should you change your mind.
Pros
Close to 2000 servers in the US to bypass MLB.TV blackouts
NordWhisper tunneling protocol to bypass content restrictions
Fastest connection speeds in the industry for smooth streaming
You can read more about this provider in our NordVPN review. NordVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can easily give this provider a try for the next match.
Surfshark is another excellent MLB.TV VPN, offering highly affordable subscriptions and unlimited simultaneous connections. We enjoyed its user-friendly, sleek app design and advanced security features, which are available even with the introductory plan.
Surfshark operates around 600 servers in the US, which is quite a bit fewer than NordVPN. However, from our experience, Surfshark’s servers are always in excellent working order and offer high-speed connections.
Plus, you can choose from 25 US cities to connect to, which is excellent news when you need to find an optimal location to bypass MLB.TV blackouts. And if you run into particularly robust VPN blocks or restrictions elsewhere, you can rely on Surfshark’s NoBorders mode to circumvent them.
During our tests, Surfshark showed great connection speeds that are close to what NordVPN offers. That’s partly due to the use of the WireGuard tunneling protocol, known for its swiftness, partly because of the modern RAM-only servers, and partly because of Surfshark’s Nexus technology, which allows updates to be enrolled on all servers simultaneously.
Surfshark is a highly compatible VPN service that offers apps for smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more while also working with all major OSs, including Linux. The unlimited connections make it a great choice for families with many different devices.
Lastly, we liked that the service offers a seven-day free trial (when you download it from the App or Play Store) and protects your purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee. After that, Surfshark’s pricing starts from $ 2.49/month.
Pros
600 servers in the US alone
Unlimited connections to stream MLB.TV on all your devices
Want to know more? Check out our Surfshark review. Rather give it a try immediately? Surfshark offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
3. Proton VPN: Privacy-first VPN to bypass MLB.TV blackout restrictions
Proton VPN is also a great MLB.TV VPN choice, especially if you’re concerned about your privacy online but would still like to enjoy your baseball games lag-free and unrestricted. We found Proton VPN’s yearly third-party no-logs policy audits to be great proof of its commitment to handling user data safely without not compromising the VPN’s usability and functionality.
Out of Proton VPN’s massive server fleet, thousand of servers are spread over 17 cities in the US. Again, this ensured we could easily find the right connection spot to bypass MLB.TV blackouts. Since Proton is a privacy-oriented service, you can find obfuscated servers on its list for boosted privacy and streaming-optimized servers to watch baseball games online smoothly.
Concerning the connection speeds, we used the WireGuard tunneling protocol for our tests and got slightly slower speeds than with NordVPN and Surfshark. However, we still got a pretty smooth streaming experience and did not run into issues like a drop in video quality or buffering.
Additionally, if you’re connecting to a server in the US to bypass MLB.TV restrictions from particularly far away, you can use the VPN Accelerator feature to boost your connection speeds up to four times.
The service works with all major OSs and has well-designed apps for many devices, including tablets, smartphones, and laptops. However, Proton VPN is a bit pricier than our top 2 MLB.TV VPNs and it does not offer a free trial. Instead, you can use its free version to test out its capabilities, and if you do decide to subscribe, your purchase will be protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Some broadcasting companies such as Fox, ABC or NBC have exclusive streaming rights. When these companies have the rights to a specific game, MLB TV is not allowed to offer a livestream of that match in the region where the exclusive rights apply. This leads to local blackouts.
Moreover, MLB wants to encourage fans to watch the match in the stadium. As a result, MLB TV might block local games, leading to blackouts as well.
Luckily, a VPN can help you avoid both kinds of blackouts. Just connect to a VPN server in a location where the match isn’t blocked – it can be in a different state or another country –and enjoy your local team’s game!
The workaround works slightly differently based on the device you want to use to watch baseball games. Below you can find step-by-step guides for the most used devices. You can also use this method to watch MLB.TV via Amazon Prime Video, Fubo, ESPN+, and SlingTV.
We tried our top 3 MLB.TV VPNs with these workarounds – NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN – and they worked seamlessly and without any issues.
How to watch blackout MLB games on desktop and laptop (PC and Mac)
If you want to watch blackout MLB games on desktop or laptop, follow these steps.
Step-By-Step: Watch Blackout MLB Games on PC and Mac
Subscribe to a premium VPN service, such as NordVPN.
Download the VPN app for Windows or macOS from the official website.
Open the VPN app and sign in.
Go to the map view in the VPN app and zoom in on the US.
Connect to a server in a state that is not blacked out by clicking on the matching blue dot on the map. The VPN will auto-connect to this city.
Open your browser and open an incognito window.
Go to MLB.TV and log in.
All is set! Enjoy the match.
How to watch blackout MLB.TV games on mobile and tablet (Android, iPhone, and iPad)
For mobile and tablet, the process is slightly different.
Step-By-Step: Watch Blackout MLB Games on Android, iPhone, and iPad
Subscribe to a premium VPN service, such as NordVPN.
Download the VPN app from the Google Play Store or App Store.
Open the VPN app and sign in.
Connect to a server in a state that doesn’t have blackouts.
Open the MLB app or download it from the app stores if you haven’t already.
What to Do When MLB.TV Is Not Working With Your VPN
Sometimes MLB TV does work right away if you are using a VPN. We have some quick fixes if you are having trouble with accessing the MLB TV streams:
Switch to another server by disconnecting the VPN and reconnecting again. Usually, the provider will connect to another server in the same location. You could also switch locations if this is not sufficient.
Switch to a different protocol in the VPN app settings. Sometimes, the protocol you’re using now might not be compatible with your online activities. Changing it might solve your VPN issues.
Use obfuscated servers. These are harder for websites to detect and make it easier to bypass VPN blocking.
If you watch MLB TV in your browser, use incognito mode or clear your cookies and cache. Browser cookies might be exposing your real IP address even through a VPN connection.
If you use the mobile MLB TV app, the app might know your actual location based on GPS. To avoid this, you can use GPS spoofing, such as Surfshark’s geo-spoofing feature for Android devices.
MLB Blackout Map: Which MLB Games Have Blackouts?
A lot of MLB games are subject to blackouts, and we’ve created a table showcasing some of the most anticipated MLB Special Events and their blackout situation.
Games/Events
US Availability
International Availability
WBC Qualifier Games
All games available (no blackouts)
All games available (excluding Taiwan, where the games are available 90 minutes after the end)
Spring Training (All networks)
Select games available (no blackouts)
Select games available (no blackouts)
Spring Breakout (March 13-16)
Select games available (no blackouts)
All games available (no blackouts)
Exhibition Games of Tokyo Series (March 15-16)
All games available (no blackouts)
All games available (no blackouts)
Tokyo Series: RSN/FOX (March 18-19)
All out-of-market games available (standard home territory television blackouts apply)
All games available (no blackouts)
Speedway Classic: FOX (August 2)
Unavailable
Game available (no blackouts)
Little League Classic: ESPN (August 17)
Unavailable
Game available (no blackouts)
Other local and regional blackouts can apply. A full list of blackouts can be found on the MLB TV website. You could also enter a zip code to check the availability of a match in your region.
Conclusion: Best VPN to Watch Major League Baseball
MLB.TV is probably the most popular platform for streaming Major League Baseball games live online. However, even with a subscription, you won’t be able to watch all MLB games, as the platform is subject to local, regional, and national blackouts.
Luckily, you can use a VPN to change your IP address to a state or a country outside the blackout restrictions and never miss a game of your favorite team.
After conducting our research and tests, we concluded that NordVPN is the best MLB.TV VPN overall. The service offers close to 2000 high-speed servers in the US alone for bypassing MLB.TV blackouts and fast connection speeds make streaming MLB games a breeze.
Do you have any questions about how to avoid MLB.TV blackouts? Check out our frequently asked questions.
Does MLB TV work with a VPN?
Premium VPN services such as NordVPN let you watch MLB TV, even if you encounter a blackout. Connect to a VPN server in a state where the match is available and open an incognito screen in your browser. Visit MLB.TV and enjoy the game!
How do I bypass MLB blackouts?
To bypass MLB blackouts you will need a premium VPN subscription. With a VPN you can change your virtual location to a region where the baseball game you want to watch is available. Our favorite VPN to watch MLB is NordVPN.
How do I change my MLB TV location?
A VPN allows you to change your virtual location without any effort. All you have to do is connect to a VPN server in a region that doesn’t have MLB TV blackouts and you are good to go! We recommend NordVPN for watching baseball.
Why does the MLB app say blackout restriction?
Some broadcasting companies such as Fox or ABC have exclusive rights for MLB games in certain regions. If this applies for a match in your region, the MLB app can’t broadcast the game.
Luckely, we have a solution. By changing your virtual location with a VPN you can watch baseball games from everywhere.
What is the best VPN for MLB TV?
NordVPN is the best VPN to watch MLB TV. This provider has a large server network in the States giving you the opportunity to watch every match, regardless of your location. Moreover, NordVPN has lightning fast servers so you won’t miss a homerun!
How do I watch blackout MLB games on my phone?
Watching blackout MLB games on your phone goes as follows:
Subscribe to a premium VPN service, such as NordVPN.
Download the VPN app from the app store.
Open the VPN app and sign in.
Connect to a server in a region without blackouts by tapping on the map.
Open the MLB app.
Enjoy the game!
Is MLB blackout based on billing addresses?
No, MLB.TV blackouts are not based on billing addresses. Instead, the platform typically determines your geographical location through your IP address. Since blackouts are applied to specific geographic areas, your account may also be affected by the MLB.TV blackout restrictions for certain games.
Can MLB.TV detect and block VPNs?
Yes, MLB.TV can detect and block VPNs, which is why it is so important to choose a premium VPN, like NordVPN, that can bypass MLB.TV blackouts without being detected.
Is a VPN better than a Proxy for MLB.TV?
VPNs are generally better for MLB.TV than proxies. A VPN offers greater security and privacy, as well as better chances of bypassing MLB.TV blackout restrictions. However, we always recommend choosing a reliable VPN service, like NordVPN or Surfshark, for optimal performance.
Lisanne is an experienced writer with an interest in technology and a critical eye. She likes to look at the advantages and disadvantages of new online developments. She likes to dive deep into research, but also knows how to translate it into easy-to-understand articles.
