ESPN, hands down, is the most-watched sports channel that streams almost every sport on the face of the earth.
But there is a bummer! The full version of ESPN is only available in the US. If you want to watch ESPN in Ireland (full version), you will need to use a reliable VPN and connect to the US server.
And even if you watch ESPN through other US Live TV streaming services (Now TV, FuboTV), you will need to unblock ESPN in Ireland them through VPN as well.
Even if you try to watch ESPN online while in Ireland, it is going to give you a geo-restriction error that says:
“The video is either unavailable or not supported in this browser”
We were able to unblock ESPN in Ireland with the help of ExpressVPN.
Our Recommended VPN – ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our recommended choice for streaming any geo-restricted services that are unavailable in Ireland OR it is used to stay anonymous over the internet for watching anything for free as it hides your streaming activity from the ISPs.
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How to Unblock ESPN in Ireland
To begin, if you want to subscribe to ESPN, it requires your banking details. Apart from that, you’ll have to use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions on ESPN.
Follow these steps to unblock ESPN in Ireland.
Step 1: Subscribe to a reliable VPN (ExpressVPN is our #1 choice)
Step 2: Download and install the ExpressVPN app on your device of choice
Step 3: Open the app and connect to a US Server (e.g. New York)
Step 4: Open the ESPN website and click on the “profile” icon at the right corner of the menu bar
Step 5: It will ask you to sign up or log in to ESPN
Step 6: Fill in the required info and sign up
Step 7: Once done, log in adding your credentials
Step 8: Choose what match-related news you want to watch, e.g. NFL, NBA, etc. from the top menu bar
Step 9: Enjoy streaming
2 Ways to Watch ESPN with Live TV Services
Aside from signing in to ESPN directly, you can watch ESPN through some Live TV streaming services as well if you have a subscription to those channels. They are:
1. FuboTV
One of the most well-liked streaming services with a sports and entertainment focus is Fubo TV. Only a few regions, notably the United States, Canada, and Spain, offer the service.
Due to geo-restrictions, FuboTV is not available in any European countries other than Spain, which means it is geo-restricted in Ireland as well. By connecting to the US server and using a VPN, you may watch ESPN in Ireland on FuboTV.
Other than that, FuboTV requires a subscription that can be as low as $74.99 a month and as high as $94.99 a month.
Read More: Watch FuboTV in Ireland
2. NowTV
Sky offers Now TV, a pay-per-view over-the-top internet television service. Both Ireland and the UK have access to the streaming service.
Video on demand and live streaming is available on Now TV. The service offers “passes” for various content categories on a pay-per-use basis for a monthly charge. Various passes give you access to entertainment, sports, and news.
If you have a Now TV subscription and the ESPN add-on, you cana watch ESPN live streaming in Ireland as it doesn’t even require a VPN.
What are the Best VPNs to Watch ESPN in Ireland?
After testing 35+ VPN services, we found that the 3 best VPNs were able to bypass ESPN geo-restrictions within the first attempt.
Have a look at thes 3 best VPNs:
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our top recommendation when it comes to unblocking ESPN from outside the US because it has servers in 20+ in the United States.
Overall t has more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries. ExpressVPN offers the strongest encryption (i.e. AES-256-encryption) and has blazing fast speed (i.e. 82 Mbps out of 100 Mbps) when it is connected to the US server.
ExpressVPN is now available for €6.42/month (12 Months with 3 Months Free) and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. With a single ExpressVPN account, you can connect with 5 devices at the same time.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is also our recommended VPN to access ESPN from Ireland. If you sign up for Surfshark’s 2-year plan, you can get all of its high-tech features and services for just €2.30/month.
Surfshark has approximately 3,200 servers in 65 countries across the world. Over 600 of its servers are located in the United States, covering 20+ cities.
This premium service grants you access to the VPN on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN has more than 1,970 US servers and 5,441 servers in total all over the world. It is offering a 2-year subscription package for €3.99/month, which is quite affordable.
Cyber Security will restrict any access to harmful domains and content, and its double-protection feature will hide your IP address with double layers of security.
And just like other VPNs, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee from NordVPN as well. This means you can try it out before making a decision to actually buy it.
Why does a VPN is required to Unblock ESPN in Ireland?
Websites and streaming services get geo-restricted due to licensing agreements and copyright ownership.
A VPN is the only way to watch ESPN in Ireland because it changes your virtual location. By connecting to the US server of a VPN, your device will be assigned a US IP address, and your original Irish IP address will be hidden.
A VPN not only changes your IP address but also hides your streaming activity from ISPs and also keeps your data hidden from spies, hackers, etc.
What Can You Watch on ESPN+ and The ESPN App?
Note that, ESPN and ESPN+ are a bit different as ESPN broadcasts Live sports events, sports shows, etc, while ESPN+ is more like Netflix, offering sports documentaries, etc. And it comes with subscription charges.
Here is a list for you to help you out with your sports entertainment for ESPN.
You can watch the following shows on the ESPN app:
- PGA Tour Live
- MLB: Slecet Games
- Crossfit Games
- Premier Lacrosse League
- SlamBall
- Little League Baseball: Regionals
- EFL Championship: Opening Weekend
What Devices Does ESPN Support?
So, the following are the devices compatible with ESPN.
- Mac
- Linux
- iOS devices
- Android devices
- Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X
- PS4 and PS5
- Roku
- Amazon Fire Sticks and Fire tablets
- Apple TVs
- Samsung Smart TVs
- Oculus Go
- Chromecast
FAQs – ESPN
Do I also have to subscribe to ESPN?
You don’t have to pay for ESPN. ESPN channel is accessible on several live TV streaming services including FuboTV, Sling, Hulu and DirecTV.
Conclusion
ESPN is available in many countries across the world but the content it broadcasts varies depending on the demographics.
You’ll need to connect to a VPN if you want to unblock ESPN Ireland. The VPN will connect you to a US server and give you access to the channel in your country.
Furthermore, a VPN is used for more than just bypassing content. You can increase your security and privacy by using a VPN, i.e. ExpressVPN.
