Want to bypass MLB blackout games? Need to unblock MLB.TV on vacation? A VPN lets you change your IP address to another state or city, making it easy to watch games that are blocked locally. A VPN can also give you a US IP address from abroad, perfect for streaming baseball on the go.

Keep reading for the best MLB.TV VPNs for streaming MLB games during blackouts, on vacation, or on restricted networks. I’ll also show you how to use a VPN to bypass MLB blackouts.

How to bypass MLB blackouts with a VPN

Sick of receiving the “This game is unavailable for live viewing in your area” message when you try to watch your local team on MLB.TV? A VPN makes it easy to spoof your location to another state, and the process is simpler than you might think. Just follow the steps below.

Steps to unblock MLB.TV from anywhere with a VPN:

  1. Choose a VPN for MLB.TV. I recommend NordVPN because it has fast servers across the US and works reliably to bypass MLB blackouts. Surfshark is a budget-friendly alternative that offers unlimited connections, ideal for larger families. Total VPN is ideal if you want a VPN bundled with antivirus.
  2. Subscribe to the VPN. Our links implement an exclusive discount code and include a money-back guarantee. This means you can test the VPN with MLB.TV and get a full refund if you change your mind for any reason.
  3. Install the VPN app. My recommended VPNs for MLB.TV have apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and other streaming devices, making it easy to watch MLB.TV at home or on vacation.
  4. Connect to a server outside the blackout region. Choose a US server in another state or city. This gets you an IP address in a region where the game is available on MLB.TV. Stick to a nearby state or city, as this will give you better connection speeds.
  5. Open MLB.TV in your browser. Log in to your MLB.TV account and select the game you want to watch. The VPN replaces your IP address, helping you bypass local geo-restrictions.

That’s it! MLB.TV should now treat you as being in the VPN server’s location. That means you can watch the blackout game using your existing MLB.TV subscription. The same method works to bypass blocks if you want to watch MLB.TV at work, in school, or on public wifi.

VPN not working with MLB.TV? Try these fixes

Having trouble streaming MLB.TV with your VPN? Don’t worry, running through the steps below will fix most issues.

Use these VPN troubleshooting steps to unblock MLB.TV from anywhere:

  1. Use a private browser window. Incognito mode stops old MLB.TV cookies and sessions from revealing your real location. If incognito mode works, you may want to clear your cookies and cache to make the fix permanent.
  2. Clear your browser cookies and cache. Stored location data or trackers left in your browser by MLB.TV can conflict with your VPN and trigger the blackout message even after you connect. Removing these cookies or using incognito mode prevents these conflicts.
  3. Try another US server. The VPNs I recommend have servers in many different US cities and states. You can test different server locations to find one that not only unblocks the game but does so without any buffering.
  4. Reconnect the VPN. Disconnecting and reconnecting the VPN can assign you a different IP address in the same server location. Test this method if the location works to stream, but you need faster speeds.
  5. Use the MLB.TV website. I recommend streaming via the MLB.TV website in Chrome or Firefox instead of the mobile app. The MLB.TV mobile app uses device location data such as GPS, which can cause a conflict with your VPN. Streaming via your browser usually works better because it avoids GPS data.
  6. Disable non-essential extra features such as NordVPN’s scam, phishing, and malware protection features. These features are useful when engaging in activities that require added protection, but can create friction when using legitimate streaming platforms like MLB.TV.
  7. Turn off location services. Turn off browser and device location access to prevent GPS or other location data from conflicting with your VPN.
  8. Change VPN protocol. Try WireGuard, OpenVPN, or the provider’s own protocol if MLB.TV still detects the connection.
  9. Check for leaks. An IP, DNS, or WebRTC leak can reveal your real location and trigger a blackout. If you are having issues, it is a good idea to run a local leak test.
  10. Update the VPN app. The latest version may include bug fixes and updated servers that work better to unblock MLB blackouts.
  11. Ask live chat for a server recommendation. The VPNs I recommend have live chat support, meaning you can ask which server currently works best with MLB.TV.
  12. If you are trying to stream on a gaming console or smart TV, you may want to use the VPN’s Smart DNS or install the VPN on a compatible router. Smart DNS can change your streaming region on supported devices, while a VPN router shares the encrypted VPN connection with devices that cannot install the app directly.
  13. Switch to a proven VPN. Many VPNs have already been blocked by Major League Baseball. If you already have a VPN subscription, you can test these troubleshooting steps. With any luck, you might get it working. However, if all else fails, you might need to switch to a VPN with a proven history of accessing MLB.TV, such as my top recommendation, NordVPN.

Can a VPN unblock MLB TV at work or school?

Yes, VPNs are designed to give you both privacy and access. They encrypt your data and route your internet connection through a remote VPN server. This bypasses restrictions imposed by local network administrators, allowing you to access MLB.TV, YouTube, Netflix, Reddit, Discord, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or any other site blocked by your boss or network.

The same is true if you encounter blocks at school, while staying in a school dorm, or when using free public wifi networks in malls, coffee shops, or hotels. A VPN can restore access to your MLB.TV account in any of these restricted scenarios.

The privacy provided by a VPN makes it safer to use your accounts on workplace wifi. However, remember that installing a VPN on a work computer may violate company policy. For this reason, I advise sticking to a VPN on your own smartphone or tablet and only watching MLB TV if you have legitimate downtime.

Is it legal to use a VPN to watch MLB TV during blackouts?

Using a VPN to watch MLB.TV is legal in the US and most other countries. If the game is already available in your physical location, there is nothing illegal about using a VPN for privacy or to bypass a workplace network block.

This is different from using a VPN to circumvent an MLB.TV blackout. MLB’s terms prohibit attempts to bypass geographical viewing restrictions and warn that doing so may lead to consequences, including account termination. Thankfully for baseball fans, these threats rarely appear to be enforced. This is because MLB.TV wants you to keep paying your bill each month.

Rather than blocking individuals suspected of location spoofing, streaming providers like MLB tend to focus on blocking VPN IPs. This is why most VPNs fail to unblock MLB.TV, and why it is important to stick to a fully tested VPN that makes it part of its core mission to keep providing IPs that work to stream MLB.

Anybody concerned about their account being suspended may want to consider a dedicated IP. This gives you the same IP address each time you connect, which avoids raising suspicions and makes it less likely to be blocked when there is a home game.

What is a dedicated IP and how can it help unblock MLB TV?

A dedicated IP is a static VPN IP address reserved for your use only. The benefit is that you are the only person who uses it to access streaming services like MLB.TV. This makes the IP address behave more like a regular residential IP than a shared VPN address, which makes it less likely to be detected and blocked.

It also means you use the same IP address each time you log in to MLB.TV. This provides better consistency and reduces the risk of MLB.TV flagging your account because of sudden IP or location changes.

My top two recommended VPNs for MLB.TV offer dedicated IPs as optional add-ons starting at US$3.69. If you want a VPN that includes a dedicated IP in the main plan, the ExpressVPN Pro plan currently offers one at no extra cost.

Can I use a free VPN to unblock MLB TV from anywhere?

I tested trusted free VPN plans from providers like Proton VPN and Hotspot Shield, but they didn’t work for watching MLB.TV abroad, at work, or during blackouts.

Free VPNs have fewer US server locations to pick from, and those servers are heavily oversubscribed with users from around the world. This leads to congestion, slow speeds, and buffering. It also makes it easier for platforms like MLB.TV to identify and block those IP addresses.

The reason reputable free VPNs do not work is that they reserve streaming access and faster servers for paying subscribers. This gives free users access to a VPN that works for basic privacy, but forces them to upgrade to a premium account if they also want lifestyle benefits such as streaming access during blackouts.

It is also worth noting that a major CSIRO-led study analyzed 283 Android VPN apps and found that 18% did not encrypt traffic, 38% contained signs of malware, 75% used third-party tracking libraries, and 84% leaked IPv6 or DNS data.

This makes many of the unknown free VPNs advertised online too risky to use for privacy. If you intend to use a free VPN, be extremely careful about which one you install, as it could put your data and the health of your device at risk.

What are Major League Baseball blackout games?

An MLB blackout is a deliberate block imposed on viewers within a certain city, state, or region due to licensing agreements. Major League Baseball enters into numerous broadcasting agreements each season. These agreements stipulate which broadcasters are allowed to livestream each game.

To bolster live game attendance and ensure that local TV networks get viewers, games involving local teams are often blocked on MLB.TV. According to MLB.TV’s blackout policy:

“Clubs located within the United States may be subject to home television territory blackout restrictions that may expand to outside of the United States.”

This means you need to choose your server location carefully when streaming a blackout game.

The problem for baseball fans is that the local broadcaster may only be available through an expensive cable or streaming package. The good news is that you do not have to miss the game just because you do not have a TV or a cable plan with the broadcaster that paid for the exclusive rights. A VPN lets you change your virtual location and watch the game through your existing MLB.TV account.

You can check which teams are blacked out in your area by entering your ZIP code on MLB.TV. This lets you plan for the upcoming season by giving you a clear picture of when you will need a VPN.

Common MLB.TV blackout messages

Seeing an error when you try to watch a live game on MLB.TV? Below, I have included a list of MLB.TV error messages and what they mean.

  • “We’re sorry. The broadcasters’ required blackout checks cannot be performed at this time. Please try again in a few moments.” MLB.TV was unable to complete its location checks. This may be caused by a temporary service problem, conflicting IP or GPS data, or a blocked VPN server.
  • “We’re sorry. We have determined that you are located inside one of the applicable Club’s home television territories and are therefore blacked out of watching the game you selected. Live Audio of this game is available as part of your MLB.TV subscription.” MLB.TV believes you are inside the local blackout region. If this appears while connected to your VPN, test a different server location.
  • “Media Error. This game is temporarily unavailable. Please try again in a few moments.” This may be caused by your browser, app, internet connection, VPN, or a temporary MLB.TV playback problem.
  • “This video is not currently available due to local or national blackout restrictions. Please click ‘Learn More’ if you require assistance.” A local or national broadcaster has the exclusive rights to show the game in your location. For a local blackout, try a VPN server in another city or state where the game is available.

I included troubleshooting steps earlier in this guide that will help you resolve these errors and get MLB.TV working with your VPN.

MLB.TV blackouts: FAQs

Are MLB.TV blackouts based on my billing address?

No. MLB.TV blackouts are based on your physical viewing location rather than the billing address on your account. MLB may use your IP address and other available location data to decide which games you can watch.

This is why changing your billing ZIP code will not unblock MLB.TV. You need a VPN to get an IP address in a city or state where the game is available.

Will MLB playoffs be blacked out?

MLB.TV postseason access works differently from regular-season streaming. In the US, you need to authenticate with a participating pay-TV provider to watch live playoff games through MLB.TV. A VPN can change your location, but it cannot provide the required TV credentials.

Live postseason games are available through MLB.TV in many international locations without authentication, but Canada is excluded and other blackout restrictions may still apply.

What are the 2026 MLB season blackout dates?

There is no single list of 2026 MLB blackout dates that applies to every subscriber. MLB.TV blackouts depend on your physical location, which means they are specific to you and the local broadcaster that has the rights to each game.

The easiest way to check is to enter your ZIP code into MLB.TV’s blackout checker. You can check game availability before each live stream and load your VPN if you find that the game you want to watch is unavailable.

Is MLB.TV available outside the US?

Yes. MLB.TV is available outside the US in many countries, including:

If you live in one of these countries and are on vacation, simply connect to a server back home to regain access to your account.

Living in a country with no baseball broadcaster or MLB.TV service? You can use a VPN to switch your IP address to one of the countries above and subscribe to MLB.TV. Just remember that prices vary between regions, so it is worth comparing international subscription plans before paying. An MLB.TV subscription in Mexico, for example, can offer better value for money because, unlike in the US and Canada, it provides access to postseason and World Series games without a separate cable TV provider.