The English Premier League (EPL) is one of the most watched football competitions in the world. But if you travel outside the UK, or your stream suddenly stops working, the problem is usually the same: broadcast rights and location restrictions.
In this guide, I will show you:
- Where to watch Premier League football in the UK
- Why EPL streams stop working when you travel
- How UK viewers can keep watching abroad
- The best VPN for EPL live streaming (UK & abroad)
Watch matches more reliably when travelling or on restricted networks. Fast speeds, stable streams, and easy device support; plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Last Update Made On: 13 February 2026
Where to watch Premier League in the UK
If you are in the UK, Premier League matches are primarily shown by Sky Sports and TNT Sports, with highlights available on the BBC.
-
Sky Sports (UK)
Visit Sky Sports -
TNT Sports (UK)
Visit TNT Sports -
BBC Sport (highlights)
Visit BBC Sport
If you are searching for where to watch Premier League or Premier League streaming online, the key thing to know is this:
most official EPL streams require a paid subscription.
Sky Sports (UK)
Sky Sports carries a large share of live Premier League fixtures. If you already subscribe, you can usually stream through Sky’s services while in the UK.
TNT Sports (UK)
TNT Sports also shows a selection of Premier League matches. This is why the schedule is often split across services.
BBC (highlights only)
For free-to-air coverage, the BBC focuses on highlights rather than full live match streaming.
Premier League coverage abroad
If you are travelling outside the UK, Premier League rights belong to different broadcasters in each country. For example, in the US, matches are shown via NBC platforms:
NBC Sports Premier League.
Why Premier League streams stop working abroad
If you try to access UK streaming services while travelling, you will often see a message saying the content is unavailable in your region.
This happens because streaming platforms check your IP address to confirm your location. If your IP address is not in the UK, access is restricted.
There is also a second issue: streaming performance. Live sport can be affected by network congestion or ISP throttling, especially during peak match times. This can impact users on major UK ISPs such as BT, Sky, Virgin Media, and EE.
How to watch the EPL abroad with a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes your internet connection through a server in another location. When you connect to a UK server, websites see a UK IP address instead of your real one.
That allows UK viewers to access their usual services while travelling, including football streams that would otherwise be blocked.
If you are new to this, see:
What is a VPN?
This same setup also helps with other UK streaming services, such as:
watching Sky Go abroad and
watching BBC iPlayer outside the UK.
Best VPN for EPL Live Streaming (UK & Abroad)
If you want the most reliable option for Premier League streaming, ExpressVPN is my top recommendation.
- Fast UK servers for stable live match streaming
- Better reliability when travelling and trying to access UK services
- Strong performance on UK ISPs (BT, Sky, Virgin Media, EE)
- Easy device support for phones, laptops, and streaming devices
- Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee
Stream with ExpressVPN
30-day money-back guarantee
Want the broader streaming pick first? Start here:
Best VPN for Streaming in the UK.
If you are deal-hunting, use these pages:
Best VPN Deals UK and
VPN Coupon Code.
Premier League live stream free: what is the catch?
Many people search for terms like epl live stream free or premier league free live streaming.
In reality, unofficial streams often come with problems:
- Poor video quality and buffering
- Streams disappearing mid-match
- Heavy delays compared to official broadcasts
- Unreliable apps and broken links
If you already pay for UK streaming services, using a VPN while travelling is usually the most stable solution.
Free VPNs often have speed limits, restricted servers, and unreliable access to streaming platforms. Some also rely on aggressive data collection practices.
For live sport, a paid VPN is usually the difference between constant buffering and a stream that actually lasts the full match.
Other VPNs that work for Premier League streaming
If you want to compare alternatives, the list below includes other VPNs that can work for EPL streaming.
I rank them based on:
- User-friendliness
- Streaming speed
- Consistency for UK access while abroad
My #1 pick is ExpressVPN; the list below is only for comparison.
Premier League streaming with a VPN: quick setup
- Sign up for a VPN (ExpressVPN is my top pick).
- Install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server.
- Open your streaming service and refresh the page/app.
- Start watching the match.
Final tip for UK viewers
If you regularly travel or your streams fail on certain networks, a VPN built for streaming is the simplest long-term fix.
For most UK viewers, ExpressVPN offers the best balance of speed, reliability, and ease of use; backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream with ExpressVPN
30-day money-back guarantee
