How to Use VPN to Watch NBA League Pass 2022 Season Without Blackouts

If you are a passionate basketball fan looking for the most convenient way to stream the upcoming NBA season, we have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that NBA League Pass provides full access to all basketball games, including playoffs, both live and on-demand. On top of that, this popular streaming platform offers various subscription plans, so you can choose the one that suits you best. But, there is a fly in the ointment, as well. If you’re located in the US or Canada, some games will be blacked out. 

But do not worry. We have a solution to help you overcome this challenge. A trustworthy VPN will allow you to watch the new NBA season without any hassle. How? Read on to find out. 

What is the NBA League Pass blackout, and why it happens

As mentioned, one of the most critical downsides of NBA League Pass is the unavailability of certain content in the US and Canada due to local broadcast blackouts. 

So what are those blackouts, and why do they occur?

In a nutshell, NBA League Pass blackouts prevent some games from live streaming because local content providers and broadcasting companies have exclusive rights to televise that content. As a result, the difference between watching NBA inside and outside the US and Canada is drastic. While you can watch any Clippers, Knicks, or Lakers game in most parts of the world, many basketball matches cannot be streamed in North America due to local or national regulations. 

For example, a local TV station may own the rights to your favorite team’s games. These rights holders are also known as regional sports networks (RSNs). In this case, you can watch those matches only on their channel, and even the almighty NBA cannot allow you to stream this content. 

Besides, if a national TV station, like ESPN or TNT, has the right to broadcast the team’s games, you can only watch them on a given sports channel. So even if you pay for your NBA League Pass subscription, your access to certain live matches and events is limited. Instead, they appear on the streaming platform for viewing on-demand soon afterward.  

How are NBA games blacked out?

NBA League Pass limits access to certain games by detecting your current location with the help of your IP address. This way, it can see where you are and black out the games owned by a local TV station. Also, it can determine your country and city by the ZIP code. And, if you’re trying to access the service with your mobile phone, it can track your GPS data if your location services are turned on. 

As a result, when visiting another state or country, you may find it challenging to watch some team’s games on your device, whether it’s a desktop, mobile phone, or Smart TV. That is why many seek League Pass alternatives to get full access to NBA games. 

NBA League Pass alternatives to watch your favorite games

Here are the services you may opt for to watch the new season without blackouts.

AT&T TV Now 

This platform provides access to all major sports channels. However, it’s quite expensive ($49.99/month) when compared to other alternatives. 

Hulu + Live TV

This popular streaming service includes all sports content from ABC, ESPN, and TNT. But it lacks access to SportsNet and Bally Sports RSNs. 

Sling TV

You can watch the NBA season when paying for Sports Extra ($11 per month). Alternatively, you can upgrade to the Sling TV Orange + Blue pricing plan ($50/month) enabling more sports channels, including ABC.

YouTube TV

With YouTube TV ($64.99/month), you can access every channel required for streaming the NBA season, including ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT. However, similar to Hulu, it lacks Bally Sports and SportsNet RSNs. 

How to bypass NBA League Pass blackout

Although the alternatives we listed above may suit your individual needs, NBA League Pass is still one of the most convenient options due to its numerous benefits. In particular, this streaming platform is relatively inexpensive and provides multiple subscription plans for various needs. So unsurprisingly, many users strive to avoid blackouts and make the most out of this service.

There are quite a few ways to make NBA League Pass bypass possible. If you cannot watch the preferred NBA games, you will likely find them on some of your local TV networks or national TV channels, such as ABC, ESPN, or TNT. However, if you don’t have access to those channels or cannot watch TV while away, the problem needs a smarter solution – a virtual private network (VPN). 

You can use a VPN service to spoof your IP address and make your location impossible to detect. As a result, you will freely access your favorite content to its fullest. On top of that, a virtual private network will run your data throughout a securely encrypted tunnel, so you won’t have to worry about your online privacy.

How to use VPN for NBA League Pass

With a VPN, you can access any NBA League game, including Playoffs, and avoid blackouts. Here is an easy step-by-step guide on how you can do it. 

1. Choose a trustworthy VPN service. VeePN is a great solution offering multiple servers in different locations. It also provides several pricing plans for users with different needs. 
2. Download and install the chosen VPN app on your device. You can also use a browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, or Edge. 
3. Open the app and pick an appropriate server location. A VPN service will provide an alternative IP address allowing you to watch all games with no limits.
4. Open NBA League Pass and enter your account. At this point, your VPN app should be turned on. 
5. Enjoy the desired NBA game. If the access is still denied, you can clear your browser cache and cookies. Next, try connecting to another VPN server.  

Also, keep in mind that the reliability of VPN services varies. Some VPNs, especially the free ones, can be ineffective and won’t help you access the desired content. Moreover, when it comes to online security, such tools can be quite risky. Pretending to be trustworthy and legit, they may spread malware or steal your private information. So be careful when choosing a VPN and avoid malicious apps.

Now, let’s take a closer look at how to use a VPN for NBA League Pass on various devices.

Get around blackouts on desktop

To watch NBA League Pass with VPN on your desktop, follow these easy steps:

1. Download and install the chosen VPN app. 
2. Turn on VPN in the app or browser extension.
3. Choose the needed server to alter your IP address.
4. You’re all set! Start watching the NBA League without blackouts.

Get around blackouts on mobile phone

Here’s how you can stream NBA games with VPN on your mobile phone:

1. Download and install a VPN app on your mobile phone.
2. Change your IP address.
3. Turn on the app and open the NBA League Pass app.
4. Watch the desired game trouble-free. 

Keep in mind that your GPS data can also be used to detect your current location. So if you want to stay completely anonymous, it’s better to use a VPN on your desktop when watching NBA games.

Get around blackouts on Smart TV

It’s a bit more challenging to watch NBA with VPN on Smart TV. That’s because the majority of such devices, including Apple TV, FireStick, and Roku, do not support native VPN apps. However, you can still do it in one of the following ways:

1. Install VPN on your router. This way, you will have your VPN always turned on. You can read a detailed guide on setting up a VPN on a WiFi router or contact VeePN’s support team. 
2. Use Smart DNS configuration. Configuring Smart DNS in your Smart TV settings will hide your IP address, just like a virtual private network. But, unlike VPNs, Smart DNS doesn’t encrypt your data, so your traffic won’t run through a secure tunnel.  

VeePN does not promote, condone, or encourage using a VPN in ways that would potentially violate Terms of Service of streaming service providers. For more details, please read the VeePN Terms of Service.

Try VeePN – the best VPN for NBA League Pass

NBA League Pass is a perfect streaming platform for true basketball fans worldwide. However, the blackout policy imposed in the US and Canada may spoil the fun and make you switch to other services or TV channels. So to avoid this issue and keep watching all games with no limits, you can opt for a trusted VPN tool.

If you’re looking for a powerful VPN to access all NBA League Pass games with no limits, consider VeePN. It’s an excellent solution that can guarantee complete privacy, top-notch security, and seamless connection. VeePN provides more than 2500 servers across 89 locations in 60 countries worldwide. So even if you cannot bypass a blackout, you may use another server and change your IP once again. Use VeePN and forget about frustrating gaps when watching the upcoming NBA season games. 

FAQs

Can I change my location on the NBA League Pass?

Yes! A VPN will spoof your IP address to change your current location. This way, you can enter your NBA League Pass account and watch any basketball games with no limits. If you still cannot access the desired content, clear your browser cache and cookies. Then, switch the server and try once again.

How do I watch NBA League Pass internationally?

NBA League Pass is a streaming platform available in most parts of the world, with some rare exceptions. However, the citizens of the US and Canada may face live blackouts due to local or national broadcast ownership regulations. In this case, you can use a VPN service to watch every single game of this NBA season. 

How do you get around blackout restrictions on NBA League Pass?

You can avoid blackout limitations by using a trusted VPN service like VeePN. Follow these simple steps:

1. Download and install a VPN app on your device or use a browser extension.
2. Choose an appropriate server location and turn VPN on.
3. Open NBA League Pass and enter your account.
4. Enjoy full access to all NBA games.

For more detailed information, read this article.