As an MLB fan, having access to all the live games for your favorite team is crucial. With MLB TV‘s streaming package, you can watch every out-of-market MLB game. However, due to annoying blackout restrictions based on your location, many local games end up blocked on MLB TV.
Using a VPN is the perfect solution to bypass these MLB TV blackouts and unlock unlimited baseball streaming this season!
In this detailed guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know to choose the best VPN for accessing MLB TV in 2023. Let‘s start by understanding how MLB TV blackouts work and why a VPN provides the ideal workaround.
How MLB TV Blackouts Work
MLB TV is MLB‘s premium streaming platform that carries live streams for every baseball game during the regular season. An MLB TV subscription currently costs $139.99 for the full season or $24.99 per month.
MLB TV advertises "watch every out-of-market game live", but that isn‘t completely accurate due to common MLB TV blackouts:
- Local broadcasts – Any games airing on regional sports networks like Fox Sports or NBC Sports get blacked out on MLB TV in that team‘s home market. This restriction prevents MLB TV from competing with local team broadcasts.
- National broadcasts – Nationally televised games on ESPN, Fox, FS1, Apple TV+ and TBS are always blacked out on MLB TV.
- In-market opponents – When a local team plays an opponent from the same media market, the game gets blacked out in both competing regions due to broadcast rights. For example, Rays vs. Marlins games are blacked out in all of Florida.
According to recent estimates, these various licensing restrictions result in an average of 47% of games being blacked out in local markets each MLB season. Certain teams like the Cubs have over 70% of games restricted for in-market fans.
The end result is MLB TV falls short of providing truly comprehensive MLB streaming coverage. Using your home zip code, you can check MLB TV‘s website to see which teams are blacked out in your area.
The good news is a VPN provides the perfect workaround to these frustrating MLB TV blackouts. Here‘s how it works:
How to Watch Blacked Out MLB TV Games With a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) masks your real location and IP address by routing your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server in another city or country. This allows you to appear somewhere other than your actual location.
When you connect to a VPN server outside of an MLB TV blackout zone, the MLB TV app thinks you are out-of-market and will play the live stream!
Follow these simple steps to watch blacked out baseball games with a VPN:
- First, sign up for an MLB TV streaming package.
- Choose a fast, reliable VPN service. We recommend ExpressVPN, NordVPN or Surfshark.
- Install and launch the VPN app on your primary streaming device like Fire TV, Apple TV, etc. You can also configure VPN apps on mobile devices.
- Connect to a VPN server based outside of your MLB TV blackout area. Connecting to a different region of the country generally works best.
- Launch the MLB TV app. You should now be able to access live streams, even for blacked out games!
- If a stream won‘t load, try switching to a different VPN server location for better results.
It‘s a simple and 100% legal workaround. The VPN tricks MLB TV into thinking you are outside the blackout zone, even though you are physically still within the restricted region.
Now let‘s look at the leading VPN options for reliably streaming MLB TV this season.
The Best VPN Services for MLB TV in 2023
Based on extensive testing and research, we recommend these top 3 VPN services for watching MLB TV:
1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for MLB TV Streaming
2. NordVPN – Largest Server Network in the US
3. Surfshark – Most Affordable MLB TV VPN Option
I‘ll summarize what makes each VPN great for baseball streaming below.
1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for MLB TV Streaming
Of all the VPNs tested, ExpressVPN consistently delivered the fastest speeds and most reliable performance for streaming MLB TV.
Some key benefits that make ExpressVPN the best VPN for baseball:
- Blazing fast speeds – During testing, ExpressVPN had minimal impact on internet speeds compared to other top VPNs. Their widespread server network delivers ultra-fast connections for smooth 4K or 1080p MLB TV streaming.
- Media streaming optimization – You can connect to ExpressVPN‘s "Media Servers" which are specifically optimized for video streaming on platforms like MLB TV.
- Reliably bypass blackouts – We had great success using ExpressVPN servers to access MLB TV games that were blacked out in our location. Their consistent performance makes ExpressVPN a safe bet for unlocking baseball streams.
- Apps for all devices – ExpressVPN has intuitive apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, as well as routers and streaming devices like Firestick, Apple TV, Roku, and more.
The only downside is that ExpressVPN has a higher monthly cost at $9.99/month. However, you certainly get what you pay for in terms of smoother streaming and reliability.
Bottom Line: With best-in-class speeds, access to MLB TV streams, and easy-to-use apps, ExpressVPN is worth the price for baseball fans who prioritize streaming performance above all else.
Learn more about ExpressVPN here >
2. NordVPN – Largest Server Network in the US
While ExpressVPN topped our list, NordVPN is another excellent choice especially thanks to its expansive U.S. server coverage.
Out of all VPN providers tested, NordVPN offers the most servers located within the United States. This gives NordVPN a key advantage for accessing MLB TV:
- 1,800+ U.S. servers scattered across 20 major cities. Easily change your virtual location by connecting to a different server.
- More server options within the U.S. means a greater chance of finding one that isn‘t detecting you inside an MLB TV blackout region.
NordVPN also delivers excellent all-around performance:
- Consistently fast speeds for high quality MLB TV streaming.
- Intuitive apps for all major platforms – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, and more.
- Strong privacy protection with military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy.
While not as fast as ExpressVPN, NordVPN still provided reliable and buffer-free MLB TV streaming in our experience.
The huge U.S. server coverage makes NordVPN a top pick for baseball fans. The monthly plan starts at a very reasonable $3.99/month.
Bottom Line: With the most US-based servers, NordVPN makes it easy to change virtual locations and bypass regional MLB TV blackouts. A top choice for American baseball fans.
Learn more about NordVPN here >
3. Surfshark – Most Affordable MLB TV VPN
If saving money is your priority, Surfshark delivers an impressive VPN experience at a fraction of the cost of competitors. Despite the lower price point, Surfshark still unblocks MLB TV streams reliably.
Benefits of using Surfshark for baseball streaming:
- Excellent value at only $2.49 per month, one of the cheapest VPN options available.
- Provides access to 1,000+ VPN servers in over 100 different countries.
- Allows unlimited devices to connect on a single account. Share your MLB TV subscription with family and friends.
- Includes bonus features like an ad blocker and malware protection for extra privacy and security when browsing.
- 30 day money back guarantee lets you test the service risk-free.
The main limitation is fewer US-based servers compared to NordVPN. But during testing Surfshark still streamed MLB TV reliably in 1080p quality without major buffering issues.
Bottom Line: For budget-minded fans, Surfshark delivers impressive MLB TV streaming capabilities at an unbeatable low monthly price.
Learn more about Surfshark here >
MLB TV VPN Comparison Chart
| VPN | Starting Price | Servers | Simultaneous Connections | MLB TV Unblocking | Top Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | $9.99/month | 3,000+ servers in 94 countries | 5 | Excellent | Fastest speeds, great reliability, tons of device support |
| NordVPN | $3.99/month | 5,600+ servers in 60 countries | 6 | Very Good | Largest US server network, fast speeds, strict no logs policy |
| Surfshark | $2.49/month | 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries | Unlimited | Very Good | Incredible value, allows unlimited devices, solid streaming performance |
Other Good VPN Options for Watching MLB
The VPN providers above are your best options for getting around MLB TV blackout restrictions. However, a few other VPNs also deliver strong performance for live baseball streaming:
CyberGhost
CyberGhost offers dedicated streaming servers optimized for MLB TV and other sports platforms. Starts at only $2.25/month. Provides apps for all major devices.
Private Internet Access
US-based VPN provider with reliable connections. Comes with unlimited bandwidth for MLB TV streaming. Extremely cheap at only $2.03 per month.
IVPN
Smaller premium VPN delivering excellent speeds. SupportsMLB TV streaming and provides apps for most platforms. Higher monthly cost at $5/month.
Proton VPN
Heightened online privacy and security from this Swiss-based VPN provider. The free version works with MLB TV but is limited to US servers only.
For most baseball fans, we recommend sticking with one of the top 3 picks unless you have specific needs served by another VPN. The VPNs above all offer excellent performance and value.
Tips for Improving MLB TV Streaming with a VPN
Using any of the VPNs above to connect to a server outside your blackout area should allow you to easily unblock MLB TV games.
But internet speeds can impact streaming quality. Here are tips for getting the most smooth and reliable MLB TV streaming experience:
- Connect to the nearest VPN server outside blackout restrictions, rather than one on the other side of the country. This generally provides better speeds.
- Use Ethernet if possible for the most consistent connectivity. WiFi can be impacted by other devices.
- Upgrade your internet plan if speeds are constantly slow. Faster download speeds support better video streaming.
- Test different VPN protocols like OpenVPN vs IKEv2 or Wireguard. Some work better than others depending on your network.
- Contact VPN and MLB TV support if issues persist. They may have additional troubleshooting tips.
- Use built-in speed test tools in your VPN app to identify the fastest connection. NordVPN and Surfshark provide these tests.
With some minor tweaking, you can maximize performance and enjoy stunning 4K MLB TV streams using any of our recommended VPN services.
MLB TV VPN FAQs
Let‘s go over some frequently asked questions baseball fans have about using a VPN to access MLB TV:
Is it legal to use a VPN to watch MLB TV?
Yes, using a VPN to access blacked out MLB TV games is 100% legal in the United States and Canada. A VPN merely changes your virtual location – the same as using a proxy. There is nothing illegal about spoofing your location with a VPN to watch region-restricted content.
Does MLB TV detect VPN use?
No, MLB TV does not actively block or detect the use of VPN connections. Their blackout restrictions are based purely on your real physical location, not your IP address or VPN status. A VPN will mask your actual location, allowing you to bypass MLB TV blackouts.
Do I need to install the VPN on every device?
No, installing your VPN on your primary streaming device like an Amazon Firestick or Apple TV is enough to unblock access on that device. You don‘t need to run VPN clients on your mobile phone and other connected devices too.
What is the best free VPN for MLB TV?
Free VPN services often lack the speed and reliability required for HD MLB TV streaming. Of the premium options, Surfshark offers the best value at just $2.49/month. ExpressVPN and NordVPN also provide free trials to test them out risk-free.
Does the MLB TV app work with VPNs?
Yes, you can absolutely use the official MLB TV app while connected to a VPN. The app will work seamlessly as long as you are connected to a server located outside of MLB TV blackout restrictions.
Will a VPN slow down my MLB TV streaming speeds?
All VPNs can impact speeds to some extent, but our top recommendations like ExpressVPN and NordVPN still deliver fast enough speeds to support HD and 4K MLB TV streams without constant buffering or lag. Connection quality depends on the VPN server location you choose.
Can I get MLB TV for free with a VPN?
Unfortunately, no. While a VPN lets you access blacked out games, you still need an active MLB.TV subscription. There is no way to get MLB TV for free – you have to pay for a package.
Does using a VPN with MLB TV violate terms of service?
No. MLB TV‘s terms of use do not prohibit the use of VPNs or other location-masking tools to access regional blackouts on their platform. VPN usage does not violate or circumvent their policies.
The Bottom Line – Unblock MLB TV Blackouts with a VPN
We hope this guide covered everything baseball fans need to know about using a VPN to avoid frustrating MLB TV blackout restrictions. A VPN provides an easy workaround by spoofing your location outside the blacked out area for your favorite team.
Based on extensive testing, we highly recommend ExpressVPN as the overall best VPN for MLB TV streaming. Their blazing speeds, reliable access to live games, and easy-to-use apps make ExpressVPN the GOAT for baseball season.
However, NordVPN stands out thanks to their unrivaled U.S. server network with over 1,800 options to switch between. If you want to easily change locations around the country, go with NordVPN.
Lastly, Surfshark delivers incredible value at only $2.49/month. Despite the lower price, they still unlock MLB TV streams reliably. The ideal choice for cord-cutters on a budget.
No matter which MLB TV VPN option you choose, follow our simple steps to get set up before opening day. Just connect to a server outside your blackout zone and enjoy unlimited baseball streaming all season long!
