How to Watch AFL in the USA: Your Ultimate Viewing Guide
The Australian Football League (AFL) is gaining popularity far beyond the Land Down Under. Currently, millions of viewers in the US, Canada, and other countries enjoy Australian rules football matches, including the grand final, online or on TV. But unlike Australian AFL fans, you may encounter certain limitations when trying to access a particular game in your region. Whether you’re an American football enthusiast looking for AFL alternatives or a die-hard Sydney Swan supporter, we’re here for you. Read along to find out how to watch AFL in the USA while staying 100% private and secure.
How to watch AFL games in the USA with a VPN: A quick guide
Are you in a hurry? No worries — we got you covered. Here’s your quick guide on how to watch AFL outside Australia with the help of a reliable VPN.
- Choose a suitable VeePN pricing plan and subscribe.
- Download and install VeePN on your device.
- Open the app and log in to your account.
- Connect to the preferred server location.
- Turn the VPN on and enjoy AFL games without security or connection issues.
Ready to learn more? Then let’s explore all the options for AFL live stream in the USA.
Where to watch AFL in the USA
🆓 Watch online with a free trial: Fox Sports (website or app), Fubo, DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV
📺 Watch online without a free trial: WatchAFL, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV
💡 Pro tip: Enjoy AFL Premiership games online while remaining completely private with a reputable VPN for streaming. Whenever you go on a vacation, leave the country for a work trip, or connect to unprotected public Wi-Fi spots, this tool will let you watch Australian football games safely and securely. Stay away from connection issues, online trackers, and intrusive ads — use a premium VPN for AFL like VeePN to unlock the following benefits:
- 2,500+ servers in 60 countries worldwide
- Streaming-optimized servers in the US, Australia, and more
- A risk-free money-back guarantee
- Compatibility with mobile devices, desktops, and smart TVs
- 24/7 customer support
Now, let’s take a closer look at the top AFL streaming opportunities for American fans.
Fox Sports
Availability: The US
Price: Free (with a cable, satellite, or live TV streaming service subscription)
Fox Soccer Plus (FSP) is now the official broadcaster of the majority of AFL games in the US, including some finals and other live streams. Other Fox networks that carry AFL are FS1 and FS2. In particular, the grand final will air exclusively on FS1. The majority of games will also be available online through the Fox Sports app.
While the Fox Sports application itself is free, you should have a cable subscription (also, you can access FS1, FS2, and FSP content online via a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream — more on that in a bit).
WatchAFL
Availability: Worldwide
Price: $20 weekly / $39 monthly / $181 yearly
Free trial: No free trial
If you’re looking for a streaming platform that provides access to AFL matches internationally, WatchAFL might be your go-to. The platform works in many countries worldwide, including the US. The service covers all rounds and playoffs, making it one of the best options to watch AFL grand final in the USA, along with all regular season games. However, WatchAFL comes without a free trial, and its subscription plans are quite pricey.
YouTube TV
Availability: The US
Price: $73+ per month
Free trial: 7 days
US-based fans can also watch AFL on YouTube TV. This over-the-top streaming platform provides access to all FS1 and FS2 content. Plus, you can activate Fox Soccer Plus via the paid Sports Extra add-on ($10.99 per month on top of your regular subscription). Apart from AFL, YouTube TV provides access to many other sports competitions, such as NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, and golf.
Find out how to enhance your streaming experience with a trustworthy VPN for YouTube TV in our blog.
Fubo
Availability: The US
Price: $73+ per month
Free trial: 7 days
Another viable option to access Australian rules football in the US is Fubo. The service offers a 7-day free trial and comes with the two major Fox Sports networks — FS1 and FS2. Fox Soccer Plus is also available, but only through the International Sports Plus package ($6.99 per month additionally).
Sling TV
Availability: The US
Price: $40+ per month
Free trial: No free trial
AFL games are also available in the US on Sling TV via Blue and Orange + Blue subscription packages. Unfortunately, the service only provides access to FS1 and FS2, while lacking FSP. Also, Sling TV doesn’t offer a free trial.
DirecTV Stream
Availability: The US
Price: $85+ per month
Free trial: 5 days
DirecTV Stream is a popular option for American sports enthusiasts, which covers FS1 and FS2 along with dozens of other decent networks, such as ESPN, ESPN2, NHL Network, NBA TV, and Tennis Channel. But keep in mind that DirecTV Stream doesn’t provide access to Fox Soccer Plus content.
Hulu + Live TV
Availability: The US
Price: $77 per month
Free trial: No free trial
Hulu + Live TV also provides access to select AFL games on FS1 and FS2. However, the FSP content is unavailable on the platform. Also, Hulu doesn’t have a free trial. Other popular sports networks available on the platform include ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Golf Channel.
Find out how to improve your Hulu experience with the help of a VPN in our blog.
How to watch AFL live in other countries
If you reside outside the US or temporarily visit another country, here’s a quick look at your AFL streaming options around the world.
- 🇦🇺 Australia: Channel 7, Kayo, ABC
- 🇨🇦 Canada: TSN+, RDS+, WatchAFL
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand: Sky GO NZ, WatchAFL
- 🇬🇧 The UK: TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport), WatchAFL
- 🇲🇽🌎 Mexico and Latin America: Star+, WatchAFL
- 🇪🇺 Europe (Italy, Germany, Spain, France, and more): WatchAFL
Now, let’s glimpse at the AFL schedule for the USA, including the most crucial events and season finals.
Key dates for the 2024 AFL season
🏈 AFL event | 🗓️ Date |
Opening round | Thursday, March 7 – Saturday, March 9, 2024 |
Round 24 | Friday, August 23 – Sunday, August 25, 2024 |
Finals Week 1 | Thursday, September 5 – Saturday, September 7, 2024 |
🥉 Semi-finals | Friday, September 13 – Saturday, September 14, 2024 |
🥈 Preliminary Finals | September 20 – Saturday, September 21, 2024 |
🏆 Grand Final | Saturday, September 28, 2024 |
With so many streaming options out there, it may seem like watching AFL in the US isn’t challenging at all. But there are several potential pitfalls that shouldn’t be overlooked. The most significant ones include access limitations, connectivity issues, and privacy-related concerns.
Luckily, all those bummers can go away thanks to a reliable VPN.
Why do you need a VPN to stream AFL in the USA?
Here are the key reasons why it’s worth using a VPN for AFL streaming in the USA:
- To avoid geoblocking. When you visit another country or region, you may find that certain websites and streaming services, including those airing AFL games, are unavailable in your current location. It means that particular content is blocked there due to licensing and copyright agreements. A VPN masks your IP address and alters your virtual location, letting you browse the web as if you were at home.
- To stop Internet throttling. Internet service providers (ISPs) often throttle users (limit their traffic and bandwidth), especially when it comes to intensive activities like gaming or streaming. A VPN hides your online activities from everyone, including your ISP, so they won’t have a reason to slow down your connection speed.
- To stay private and secure. Stay protected and keep your data safe whether at home or connected to a public Wi-Fi spot in a bar, hotel, or airport. A VPN won’t let sniffers, snoopers, and cybercriminals compromise your online presence. It encrypts your traffic and hides your personal details from prying eyes, making your digital footprint nearly untraceable.
Not all VPNs comes with these benefits, though. In particular, free service providers may not be effective and reliable enough. Here are some details.
Can you watch AFL in America with a free VPN?
Choosing a free VPN for AFL might seem to be a great idea at first. But in fact, “free” apps usually come at a certain price — and in the case of VPNs, the price is your online privacy.
Since free VPN services should make a profit somehow, they tend to monetize customer data. Simply put, it means that they may collect your personal information and sell it to third parties, such as advertising agencies and corporations. Besides, you may be dealing with a VPN scam — a malicious program designed to compromise your security (for example, by infecting your device with malware).
Another potential challenge is the lack of server locations offered by free VPNs. A limited server network causes significant connection problems. Moreover, some AFL streaming services may simply turn out to be unavailable with a free VPN.
Considering the above, it’s always better (and safer) to use a reliable paid VPN for AFL. Explore the most important factors to take into account when making your choice below.
How to choose the best VPN for AFL
Consider the following when choosing an AFL VPN in the US:
- 🌐 Server network. Pick a VPN that comes with a vast network of remote servers. The more locations it offers, the better your connection speed will be. Besides, it’s beneficial for your browsing and streaming freedom.
- ✅ Supported streaming platforms. Make sure the chosen VPN supports the major AFL streaming services, such as WatchAFL, YouTube TV, or Fubo.
- 📄 No Logs policy. Choose a VPN that follows a transparent No Logs policy, meaning it doesn’t collect, store, or sell your personal information (unlike with free VPNs).
- 🔓 Privacy and security. Look for a VPN with all the necessary privacy and security features in place, including strong data encryption, Kill Switch, and an anti-tracking function like VeePN NetGuard.
- 💰 Affordability. Finally, prioritize VPNs with affordable subscription plans. Most reputable services offer a money-back guarantee, so you can test the app without the risk of losing your funds.
VeePN ticks all the boxes above, providing all the required features, streaming-optimized servers across 89 locations, and user-friendly interface. Here’s how to get started with VeePN — one of the best VPNs for sports fans out there.
How to watch AFL in the USA with VeePN: A step-by-step guide
Follow these steps to watch AFL outside Australia with the help of VeePN:
- Choose the most suitable subscription plan. Select the pricing plan that suits your needs best and sign up for VeePN.
- Download and install VeePN. Get the VPN app for your particular device, be it Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, or else. VeePN also offers solutions for Smart TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Plus, you can use it on up to 10 devices simultaneously with a single subscription.
- Open the app and log in. Log in to your VeePN account and allow the app to reconfigure the VPN settings on your device. You can also switch on additional privacy and security configurations, such as Kill Switch or ad blocker, and change your tunneling protocol before activating the VPN.
- Choose your VPN server location. Select your location from the 89 options in 60 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, and more.
- Activate VeePN. Tap the Connect button at the center of your screen to turn the VPN on. Once done, you will get an alternative IP address associated with the chosen location, while your real IP will remain anonymous.
- You’re all set! Open the platform that streams AFL games in your location and enjoy the game.
Watch the most exciting Australian rules football events wherever you are — try VeePN today with a risk-free money-back guarantee!
FAQ: How to watch AFL in the USA
US-based viewers can watch AFL games on the WatchAFL platform, which is also available in most parts of the world, excluding Australia. Also, you can stream Australian football on live TV streaming platforms that include Fox Sports networks, such as YouTube TV, Fubo, or DirecTV Stream. Check out this article for more info.
In the US, the AFL grand final will air on Fox Sports 1 (FS1). You can also access it online on YouTube TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, or Hulu + Live TV. Another option is to access all the AFL events, including the grand final, through the WatchAFL platform. For more details, read this blog post.
In most parts of the world, AFL games are available on the WatchAFL platform. Also, consider using a reliable VPN service like VeePN to access AFL on the desired platform when temporarily leaving your country. A VPN replaces your real IP address with the one associated with the chosen location, so you can stream any content as if you were at home.
You can stream AFL games for free via the Fox Sports website or app. But note that a cable or live TV streaming subscription is required to access the service. Viewers in the US can also watch AFL games on YouTube TV or Fubo with a 7-day free trial.
No, AFL is currently not streaming on ESPN+. The competition airs on Fox Sports, so it’s available on live TV streaming services that come with FS1, FS2, and Fox Soccer Plus in their listings.
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