The exciting National Rugby League (NRL) is on and promising more action than ever. If you're a die-hard rugby fan, you won't want to miss a single game. Worth noting, however, is that NRL broadcasts are only limited to a few countries, primarily Australia and New Zealand.
That being said, you can use a VPN to easily watch NRL games from anywhere. For example, I accessed my Australian 9Now account from abroad and watched NRL games live for free. However, not all VPNs can offer reliable access to platforms showing the NRL, nor do many offer the speeds necessary for high-quality live streaming.
After testing 20+ VPNs, ExpressVPN is my top choice for streaming the NRL from overseas. During my tests, it reliably unblocked my 9Now account and delivered exceptional speeds for streaming matches live. You can try ExpressVPN yourself risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Quick Guide: How to Watch NRL With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. ExpressVPN is my recommended service due to its fast speeds and highly reliable servers. You can try ExpressVPN without risk because it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a server. Choose a country that offers NRL broadcasts. Australia and New Zealand are the two countries with the most channels airing NRL games (Australia’s 9Now app lets you watch NRL matches for free).
- Start watching. Log in to your relevant streaming account and catch NRL matches live or on demand.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch NRL
NRL live broadcasts are geographically restricted due to licensing agreements. Due to this, you can only watch National Rugby League games in Australia, New Zealand, and a few other countries. These restrictions are enforced by NRL broadcasters, who check your IP address to find your location — if you’re in an unsupported country, you’ll be blocked.
I couldn’t access my 9Now account to watch the Rabbitohs vs. Roosters game for free
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) lets you get around geo-restrictions and unblock content from overseas. It reroutes your internet traffic through a server in a different country and assigns you an IP address from that location. For example, by connecting to an Australian VPN server, you can appear as if you’re browsing from that country. This lets you access NRL live streams from anywhere, because you can make the relevant streaming services believe you're in a supported region.
Best VPNs to Watch NRL from Anywhere in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for NRL With Impressive Speeds for High-Quality Live Streaming
Try Risk-Free for 30 DaysTested September 2023
| Best Feature | The fastest speeds I tested for streaming content in the best quality |
| Speed | 84Mbps (22% slower than base connection) |
| Server Network | 3,000 servers in 94 countries, including New Zealand and several locations in Australia |
| Works with | Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire Stick/Fire TV, Apple TV, Kodi, Chrome, Firefox, routers, and more |
ExpressVPN has impressive speeds for watching NRL from overseas. It’s built using a lightweight protocol (the method the VPN uses for rerouting your traffic) called Lightway. Most other VPNs slow you down significantly but ExpressVPN’s Lightway meant even distant servers in Australia delivered impressive speeds during my tests. I only experienced a 22% speed drop from my 108Mbps base connection, allowing me to stream a Titans vs. Bulldogs match in UHD without lag.
The extensive server network in 94 countries includes NRL-supported locations like Australia and New Zealand, making it easy to watch matches from abroad. I accessed my 9Now account on the first try and watched NRL games for free. I wasn't worried about hitting any data caps either, because ExpressVPN doesn't restrict bandwidth usage.
ExpressVPN offers reliable servers across multiple Australian cities
There’s an ExpressVPN app for nearly every device, including laptops, phones, and smart TVs. All the apps I tested are user-friendly (even for VPN beginners), allowing you to set up and stream the NRL in minutes. The Smart DNS feature (MediaStreamer) also lets you watch games on devices that don't normally support VPNs, like Apple TV, Xbox, and Playstation.
On the downside, ExpressVPN’s plans are pricey. You can, however, snap up one of the frequent discounts it offers. I got up to 49% off and 3 months for free on the yearly plan, paying just $6.67/month. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to try the service without risk.
Useful Features
- IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection. ExpressVPN’s robust leak protection ensures your IP address, and other information that may reveal your real location, are never leaked. That way, you can stream the NRL without worrying about being suddenly blocked mid match.
- Split tunneling. This feature allows you to choose which apps use the VPN, and which ones don’t. You can use it to watch NRL with ExpressVPN on your preferred streaming platform while accessing local content with your normal IP address on other apps.
- Simultaneous connections. You can connect up to 8 devices to the VPN at the same time. This allows your family to stream the NRL or whatever sports they like on their own devices, without affecting each other’s connection.
2. CyberGhost — Streaming Optimized Servers to Watch NRL For Free From Anywhere
| Best Feature | Streaming servers designed especially for Australia’s 9Now, to access NRL games from anywhere |
| Speed | 79Mbps (27% slower than base connection) |
| Server Network | 9,361 servers in 100 countries, including Australia and New Zealand |
| Works on | Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire Stick/Fire TV, Apple TV, Kodi, Chrome, Firefox, routers, and more |
CyberGhost offers optimized streaming servers for 9Now, which airs the NRL games for free. These specialized servers are regularly tested and maintained to make sure they work with 9Now from anywhere. Every time I tested these servers, I could access 9Now on my very first attempt.
The 9Now servers can easily be found in the For Streaming tab
Nicely, CyberGhost’s speeds are also good for live streaming NRL games. Although it couldn't match ExpressVPN, the Australian server gave me 79Mbps, just a 24% drop from my usual speed. This is more than sufficient for UHD streaming, which only requires roughly 25Mbps. The added benefit of unlimited bandwidth means you can stream as many matches as you wish without restrictions.
Whether you intend to stream on small or large screens, the VPN offers user-friendly native apps for all major devices (you can connect up to 7 under one subscription). Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost also has a Smart DNS feature for unblocking NRL games on devices that don't support VPNs (like Xbox or PlayStation consoles).
It can be quite expensive to subscribe to the service monthly, and these plans only come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. The longer plans, however, are really affordable — they start from just $2.19/month. They also come with an extended guarantee, letting you try CyberGhost for 45 days free.
Useful Features
- Multiple NRL servers. As well as 9Now, CyberGhost also has servers optimized for other platforms that stream NRL — like Sky Go, Fox Sports, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
- Dedicated IP. CyberGhost also allows you to pay an extra fee to get a dedicated IP. Most VPN IP addresses are shared between multiple customers, which raises the risk that they’ll get detected and blocked by NRL streaming services. A dedicated IP is solely yours, making it much harder for it to be detected and blocked.
3. Private Internet Access — Unlimited Connections to Watch NRL on All Your Streaming Devices
| Best Feature | Your entire household can stream the NRL on their own devices without slowdowns or restrictions |
| Speed | 72Mbps (33% slower than base connection) |
| Server Network | 29,650 servers in 84 countries, including Australia and New Zealand |
| Works on | Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire Stick/Fire TV, Kodi, Chrome, Firefox, routers, and more |
PIA allows you to connect as many devices as you want with a single license. This is a huge advantage if you have multiple streaming devices or a large household eager to catch all the NRL action. I found during my tests that PIA works on all major platforms, and I never got any performance issues, even when I tried streaming a match on 8 devices at the same time. What’s more, you get unlimited connections with all PIA plans — even the ones starting from $2.03/month.
The servers in New Zealand and across Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne offer multiple IP addresses for accessing the NRL via 9Now, Kayo Sports, or Sky Sports. PIA is fast for streaming too. My speeds on Australian servers peaked at 72Mbps, just a 33% reduction from my regular internet connection. I watched Melbourne Storm vs. Sydney Roosters in HD on my 9Now account without lag.
My one complaint is that PIA comes with a lot of additional security settings that can be overwhelming if you’re new to VPNs. However, I found the default settings to be ideal for streaming, so you don’t need to change anything.
Useful Features
- MACE ad blocker. All PIA apps have the MACE blocker built in, which stops annoying pop-ups and dodgy ads from ruining NRL game night.
- 30-day money-back guarantee. After 27 days of using PIA, I contacted support to cancel my plan and received a full refund within a few days. I was able to test PIA without risk.
Where Can I Watch NRL Online?
Multiple platforms show NRL games around the world. Whether you live in the US, Canada, the UK, or an unsupported location, there's a way to watch NRL games online.
How to Watch NRL Live in Australia (For Free)
The Channel 9 network airs NRL games for free through its 9Now streaming service, including the NRL Finals series and the Grand Final. If you live in Australia, you can sign up for an account on the 9Now website to get access to live and on-demand games. It’s worth noting that there’s a convenient 9Now app for most devices.
You can also watch live NRL games within Australia on Foxtel Now, Fox Sports (Fox League), and Kayo Sports. However, you'll need a paid subscription to stream NRL matches on these platforms.
How to Watch NRL Live in New Zealand
You can catch NRL matches in New Zealand on Sky Sports, Sky Sports Now, and Sky Go. All these are paid platforms, so you'll have to subscribe first. That being said, Sky Go has an app you can download to watch NRL on most streaming devices.
How to Watch NRL Live in the US
Fox Sports broadcasts NRL games live in the US. You'll need a cable subscription that includes Fox Sports or access to the channel via a streaming service like Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV, or DirecTV.
How to Watch NRL Live in Canada
Rugby fans in Canada can watch NRL games through Fox Sports or Sportsnet Now (Sportsnet+). Both platforms are paid, but Sportsnet Now is included in cable TV packages with select providers, including Rogers, Shaw, and Telus.
How to Watch NRL Live in the UK
Sky Sports broadcasts NRL games in the UK. Once you have a subscription, you can watch the games on the Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Mix channels, or download the Sky Go app. Sky also provides the online streaming service Now TV, which offers packages that include all Sky Sports channels, including those that show NRL games.
How to Watch NRL Online from Everywhere Else
International fans can use the Watch NRL Global Pass to stream National Rugby League games live and on-demand. It’s the official Fox Sports international streaming service and has apps for most devices. However, subscriptions are only available in some regions (Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island countries are excluded).
The official NRL site also has a full list of international TV broadcasters. These include beIN in France, ECLAT in Southeast Asia, Mono in Thailand, FBC Sports in Fiji, and TBC in Tonga.
With that being said, a VPN is still among the easiest (and cheapest) ways to stream NRL games live from anywhere. Connecting to an Australian VPN server allows you to easily watch NRL for free on your 9Now streaming account, for example.
FAQs on How to Watch NRL Live Online
Where can I watch the NRL for free?
On the 9Now platform. It's an Australian-based streaming service though, so you can’t normally access the free streams from abroad. However, if you’re traveling outside Australia, you can use a VPN to access your 9Now account and watch NRL games without restrictions.
Where is the Watch NRL app available?
Watch NRL is accessible outside of Australia, New Zealand, and some Pacific Nations like Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga. If you’re currently visiting any of these regions, you can use a VPN to bypass geoblocks on your Watch NRL account and stream live rugby or highlights on the app.
Some of the regions and countries where you can use the Watch NRL international streaming service are:
- North America (USA)
- Europe (United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, and many more)
- Canada
- Africa
- Asia
- South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei)
How can I watch the NRL without Foxtel?
You can stream NRL through platforms like 9Now, Sky Sports, and more. While many of these options are restricted to specific regions, you can use a quality VPN to access them from abroad. Keep in mind that most of these alternatives require a subscription, other than the Australian 9Now service.
Is it illegal to watch the NRL with a VPN?
VPNs are legal in many countries. This means in most scenarios, you can use a VPN to watch NRL games without issue while traveling overseas. However, some censorship-heavy countries, such as China or Russia, heavily restrict or outright ban VPN usage. We at vpnMentor do not condone illegal activity, so always be sure to check your local laws regarding VPNs before using one.
Which teams are in the 2023 NRL?
This year’s teams include:
| Penrith Panthers | Brisbane Broncos | Melbourne Storm | New Zealand Warriors |
| Newcastle Knights | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Sydney Roosters | Canberra Raiders |
| South Sydney Rabbitohs | Parramatta Eels | North Queensland Cowboys | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Dolphins | Gold Coast Titans | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| Wests Tigers |
You can catch matches from all these teams from anywhere by using a quality VPN. Just connect to a server in a country where your desired NRL streaming platform is available — once done, you’ll be able to log in and enjoy all the action.
Access the NRL in Minutes
Only rugby fans in a few select countries can watch the NRL season because most platforms that show it are geo-restricted. Luckily, you can use a VPN to unblock NRL streaming platforms when traveling abroad.
ExpressVPN is my top choice for watching NRL games. Its fast and reliable servers in Australia, New Zealand, and other key locations can easily unblock and stream NRL content from overseas. You can also try ExpressVPN without risk since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
To summarize, the best VPNs for watching the NRL are…
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