While the NBA League Pass is an excellent option to watch games, some games may be unavailable (blacked out). Fortunately, a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to overcome NBA League Pass limitations by creating the illusion of being in another area (but more on that later! ), allowing you to view your home services while traveling out of state or internationally.
How to circumvent NBA League Pass blackouts: a step-by-step tutorial
Are you pressed for time to read the whole article? The following is a straightforward, step-by-step method on how to overcome NBA League Pass bans.
- To begin with, sign up for a high-quality VPN service that provides fast connections and many server locations (particularly in the US). NordVPN is recommended.
- Install the correct VPN mobile application, desktop application, or browser extension for the device from which you want to stream NBA League Pass.
- Connect to a server in a location where the game is not blocked using the VPN software or browser extension. If a game is being broadcast locally, you should connect to a server in another state. If broadcasting nationwide, connect to a server in another country, such as Canada or Mexico. This will provide you with a local IP address and trick NBA League Pass into believing you are in another place.
- If you haven’t already, create an NBA League Pass account. It’s $28.99 USD per month or $199.99 USD per year. An NBA Team Pass, on the other hand, costs $17.99 per month or $119.99 per year. Access the game normally now that it has been unblocked!
- If you continue to have issues, delete your browser’s cache and cookies. Alternatively, check to see if the server you’re currently using has been banned. The VPN mentioned above provides 24/7 help if you need further assistance.
If you’re unsure if blackouts will impact your region, you may utilize the NBA Blackout Explorer (note: this tool was recently withdrawn), which allows you to input your ZIP code to get further information.
What is a live blackout and how is it implemented?
Several local and national broadcasting organizations acquire the rights to broadcast NBA games live before each NBA season. The issue is that while these rights are exclusive, even the NBA is unable to live stream these games online in that geographic region (instead, the games are only available on-demand three hours after they have aired). This implies that it is probable that matches involving your local teams will be blacked out.
For example, suppose you reside in Los Angeles and your local Fox or NBC television station has exclusive live broadcast rights to Clippers and Lakers games. Due to the presence of a local broadcaster, these games will be blacked out in Los Angeles and hence inaccessible through the NBA League Pass. Similarly, if a game is shown nationally on a network such as ESPN or ABC, the game will be blacked out nationwide.
NBA League Pass determines your location based on your IP address. As a result, if a local or national broadcaster has exclusive rights to show a game live, the game may be blacked out on the NBA League Pass. This happens when a VPN comes in handy!
Through the use of a VPN, you can circumvent NBA prohibitions.
When we entered the NBA League Pass from New York, we saw the following blackout notice:
“Based on your current location, you are unable to view live Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks games. You can listen to a live radio broadcast or watch an archive of these games 3 days after broadcast.”
Local blackouts, however, are not the only limits associated with NBA League Pass. Indeed, several nationally televised games are omitted as well:
“Games broadcast on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV will not be available to watch live on NBA League Pass. You can listen to a live radio broadcast or watch an archive of these games 3 hours after broadcast.”
So how might a VPN assist you in circumventing NBA League Pass blackouts? Your internet traffic is secured when you connect to a VPN server. As a result, websites and services have a tough time determining your exact location. By connecting to a server in a different state in the United States or a different country completely, you’ll receive a new, temporary IP address. This will deceive the NBA League Pass website into believing you are in another area, thus bypassing the blackout.
Utilize the desktop version of the NBA League Pass to circumvent blackouts.
You may avoid NBA League Pass limitations by using your PC or Mac. All you need to do is establish a VPN connection to a server located outside the blackout zone. For instance, if the blackout is local, all you need to do is connect to a server in another US state.
National blackouts are unique. In this instance, you would need to connect to a server located outside of the nation. This should ideally be the nation that is geographically nearest while remaining outside the blackout zone. For instance, if you live in the United States, you should consider servers in Canada and Mexico. The blacked-out game should then be unblocked, making it possible to watch NBA games without a cable subscription. Keep in mind that if the content does not load, you should delete your browser’s cache and cookies.
On mobile, circumvent NBA League Pass limitations.
On mobile, like with desktop, you may want to avoid NBA League Pass ban dates. However, it’s worth noting that the NBA utilizes the GPS and location data on your phone to establish your position. As a result, some VPNs are incompatible, notably with the NBA League Pass applications. If you’re viewing it on a mobile device, you may also use a web browser on your phone.
At the time of writing, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost VPN mobile applications are all capable of bypassing NBA League Pass bans. If you continue to have issues, you may be able to fake your phone’s GPS position. However, the majority of third-party GPS spoofing programs involve jailbreaking or rooting your iPhone or Android smartphone. Please keep in mind that there is no assurance that this will work. Methods vary across all devices, and certain applications pose a security risk, so proceed with care.
Is it possible to use a free VPN to circumvent NBA League Pass blackouts?
Regrettably, many free VPNs are incapable of circumventing NBA League Pass bans. One issue is that they often have a limited number of servers. As a result, your selections may be restricted if you’re looking for a server in another US state or nation. Another problem is that free VPN servers are often overloaded. This results in sluggish rates, which is especially noticeable during live broadcasting. To handle this, some free VPN providers block your bandwidth, resulting in latency and buffering while viewing NBA games online.
Additionally, we advise against the use of free VPNs for security reasons. While a free VPN should provide access to a variety of prohibited content, it should also safeguard your privacy. This includes encrypting your data and safeguarding it against leakage. Regrettably, a large number of free VPNs lack such safeguards. After all, a free VPN is a business, which means it may record and sell your surfing data. Additionally, you may be flooded with irrelevant, unsuitable pop-up advertisements. In general, a free VPN is not worth the trouble.