A VPN is the best method to watch March Madness online with no hassle, so we’ll take you through everything you need to know to set up and get started. If you just want a VPN to watch NCAA online, we’d highly recommend ExpressVPN for their premium speeds and numerous servers.
Table of Contents
Get uninterrupted NCAA streaming service wherever you are with ExpressVPN.
March Madness means it’s time for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament to crown the national champions. 2017 saw a typical range of upsets on the way to the final, but UNC were able to cement their legacy with a 71-65 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
From the Final Four to the finale itself, audience numbers were some of the highest in recent years, while it’s estimated that businesses lost out on over $4B due to unproductive workers focusing on the games instead of their job.
If you’re unable to watch it on TV, you can catch games on the official NCAA March Madness Live app on a range of devices, while they also stream games directly from their website, beginning with the Elite Eight. However, rights restrictions make it difficult to watch March Madness online if you’re not located in the US when the tournament is on.
Use a VPN to Watch the NCAA March Madness Live Online
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the easiest way to ensure you’ll be able to watch 100% of the action from anywhere in the world. A VPN works by encrypting the data sent to and from your device for enhanced security, with the added benefit of allowing you to change your IP address. When anyone wants to know how to watch March Madness in Europe or anywhere outside the US, a VPN is your best option.
Websites use your IP address to block content based on geo-restrictions. If you are trying to access CBSSports or the NCAA website from outside the US, you will be blocked due to licensing restrictions. However, with a VPN, you choose a US server and then your IP will show you are in the US, tricking these websites, allowing you to watch March Madness outside the US. It is really that simple!
Set Up a VPN and Start Streaming March Madness
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to using a VPN to watch March Madness live:
- Once you’ve chosen a March Madness VPN provider, download their client app.
- Input your details when you’re prompted to sign in.
- Choose a server location in the US with a low ping.
- Wait to be connected to the server, and load the NCAA website or an alternative stream.
- You should now be able to access US content. If you’re having trouble accessing the stream, try a different server location in the US.
What to Look for in a VPN to Watch March Madness Online
We’ve put a list together with five top providers. For live sports, a crisp connection is highly recommended to avoid buffering or lag, as a VPN may have a slight impact on your overall speeds because of the data encryption.
On the other hand, A VPN could boost performance if your ISP throttles your connection. For March Madness, we made sure to pick VPNs with a variety of server locations within the US for ease of use, as well as a money-back guarantee just in case you don’t plan on pursuing with a longer contract.
#1 ExpressVPN
The premium speeds of ExpressVPN make it perfect for watching live sport. It’s a trusted provider with 13 server locations in various cities throughout the US, so it’s a great overall package for streaming March Madness. We saw no lag while testing, although if you do run into any issues they have some of the best customer service in the business. Pricing is a little higher than the norm, but it is worth the asking price. They offer a “risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee” which can also be used to trial their service.
Pricing per month:
- One month: $12.95
- Six months: $9.99
- 15* months: $6.67 *Three months free
1 Month
12 Months + 3 Months FREE
6 Months
#2 NordVPN
NordVPN performed well during testing, with no problems to report. They have a bountiful list of server locations located within the US, so there are no issues in terms of March Madness streaming. As well as watching content, we rate it highly if you’re looking for additional security while you’re on the web thanks to their logging policies and their high-level encryption. NordVPN is also one of the cheapest on our list, offering a simple “30-day money-back guarantee policy for accounts in good standing”.
Pricing per month:
- One month: $11.95
- 12 months: $5.75
- 24 months: $3.29
1 Month
24 Months
12 Months
#3 PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is a solid VPN for NCAA streaming. The Swedish provider sells itself as a simple alternative to flashier offerings, with a simple interface and eight server locations in the USA. They allow for six simultaneous connections, making it easy to share an account with friends or across separate devices at the same time. PrivateVPN has above-average speeds, although they can’t match ExpressVPN if you have a slower internet connection. They “offer a 30-day money back guarantee” with no strings attached, which they actively advertise as a trial period for their service.
Pricing per month:
- One month: $8.21
- Three months: $5.63
- 12 months*: $4.15 *One month free
1 Month
12 Months + 5 Months FREE
3 Months
#4 IPVanish
If you just want a competent VPN to watch the Big Dance, IPVanish ticks all of the boxes. It’s incredibly quick, and they have 350+ servers to choose from in the US alone. It’s a premium VPN that comes with five simultaneous connections, which helps to offset the cost if you plan on sharing an account. However, “IPVanish will only refund your purchase if you have chosen to cancel within the first 7 days of service,” so you’ll have to be quick if you’re not happy with the overall package.
Pricing per month:
- One month: $10.00
- Three months: $8.99
- 12 months: $6.49
1 Month
3 Months
1 Year
#5 PureVPN
PureVPN has more than enough in the tank when it comes to streaming, which is handy considering a number of worrying reports regarding their ‘no logs’ promise. They’ve attempted to address any issues in a recent blog post, which should go some way to allaying the fears of privacy experts and conspiracy theorists alike. It’s inexpensive if you’re willing to go for a longer deal, but you’ll need to be quick if you want to test it out first. They offer refunds within seven days of the original order, with an interesting stipulation:
“You have not used more than 3GB of bandwidth i.e. data transfer (total upload and download activity using PureVPN) or you have not exceeded 100 sessions i.e. the number of times you connected to PureVPN services. Whichever comes first.”
It’s not exactly generous.
Pricing per month:
- One month: $11.95
- Six months: $8.95
- 24 months: $2.91
1 Month
6 Months
1 Year
Watch the NCAA Online And Don’t Miss Who Wins March Madness!
A VPN is the optimal method to ensure that you’ll be able to watch March Madness online from outside the US. Arguably the second-largest sporting event in the US behind the Super Bowl, it shouldn’t be locked away because of rights restrictions. We believe the above-mentioned VPN services will meet your needs for the best NCAA streaming experience. Out of all these services, ExpressVPN is our top choice given speed and other performance parameters.
Exclusive Limited Time Deal: 12 Months + 3 Months FREE for a yearly subscription.
