How to Bypass Blackouts and Watch MLB.TV with a VPN

To bypass MLB.TV blackouts, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is crucial. By connecting to a server in the appropriate US region, a VPN service enables you to effortlessly bypass MLB.TV blackout restrictions.

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to circumvent blackouts and enjoy uninterrupted MLB.TV streaming, including registration details.

Why Isn’t MLB.TV Accessible Outside Specific Areas? – Understanding Blackout Restrictions

The reason you can’t watch certain games on MLB.TV is due to MLB’s specific restrictions and blackout rules. Local games are often subject to these restrictions, meaning games may not be available for streaming within certain regions. This is because regional sports networks (RSNs) hold the distribution rights to these games. And also, blackouts do not apply to live audio of all games.

MLB.TV Blackout Policy

Due to certain Major League Baseball exclusivities, select regular season, special event, and Postseason games are unavailable on MLB.TV domestically and internationally.

In addition, note:

・Home television territory blackout restrictions apply regardless of whether a Club is home or away and regardless of whether or not a game is televised in a Club’s home television territory.
・Clubs located within the United States may be subject to home television territory blackout restrictions that may expand to outside of the United States.
・All San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics live games will be blacked out in the U.S. territory of Guam.

Source: MLB.TV Help Center

You can determine which games are subject to blackout restrictions in your area by entering your Zip Code and pressing “Submit.”

For instance, viewers with a New York Zip Code (such as 10001) are unable to watch Yankees or Mets games on MLB.TV. Conversely, those with a Chicago Zip Code (like 60007) can access Yankees and Mets games but are blocked from streaming Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox games.

How Does a VPN Enable You to Bypass MLB.TV Blackouts?

Using a VPN allows you to mask your location and access as if you were in a different region. MLB.TV determines which content to display based on your IP address. For instance, if you try to access the site from outside New York, the New York-specific content will be blocked. However, by connecting through a VPN server located in New York, you will appear to be accessing from within the state, allowing you to view content that is normally restricted to New York residents.

On the left is the IP address via the VPN server in Chicago, and on the right is the IP address via the VPN server in New York.

How to Bypass Blackouts and Watch MLB.TV with a VPN

Here are the steps to access MLB.TV using a VPN:

ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. So, using ExpressVPN, you can enjoy TV programs normally available only in other countries without a noticeable difference in speed. After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can easily browse the internet using ExpressVPN just by downloading their app.

STEP1. Register with ExpressVPN

To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Get ExpressVPN Today” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.

STEP2. Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in the Appropriate US Region

After signing up for ExpressVPN, download, install, and open the app. Next, click on “…” within the app and enter “United States” in the search box. You will then be able to select a specific region. Choose a server and click the power icon to establish a connection to a server within the US.

If you reside in New York State and wish to watch New York Mets games, connect to a VPN server located in Chicago, Colorado, or Dallas, Texas, where the New York Mets games are not subject to blackout restrictions. Wondering which games are restricted in your area? Refer to the table below, which provides examples based on ZIP Codes. Please click here to check the blackout restrictions for your own ZIP Code.

Examples of MLB.TV’s List of Blackouts

State	Largest City	Zip Code	Blackout Restrictions
Alabama	Huntsville	35649	Atlanta Braves
Alaska	Anchorage	99501	Seattle Mariners
Arizona	Phoenix	85001	Arizona Diamondbacks
Arkansas	Little Rock	72002	Houston Astros Kansas City Royals St. Louis Cardinals Texas Rangers
California	Los Angeles	90001	Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles Dodgers
Colorado	Denver	80014	Colorado Rockies
Connecticut	Bridgeport	06601	New York Mets New York Yankees
Delaware	Wilmington	28401	Baltimore Orioles Washington Nationals
Florida	Jacksonville	32034	Tampa Bay Rays Miami Marlins
Georgia	Atlanta	30033	Atlanta Braves
Hawaii	Honolulu	96795	Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles Dodgers Oakland Athletics San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants
Idaho	Boise	83701	Seattle Mariners
Illinois	Chicago	60007	Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox
Indiana	Indianapolis	46201	Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Chicago White Sox
Iowa	Des Moines	50047	Chicago Cubs Kansas City Royals St. Louis Cardinals Minnesota Twins Chicago White Sox Milwaukee Brewers
Kansas	Wichita	67052	Kansas City Royals
Kentucky	Louisville	40018	Cincinnati Reds
Louisiana	New Orleans	70032	Houston Astros Texas Rangers
Maine	Portland	04019	Boston Red Sox
Maryland	Baltimore	21201	Baltimore Orioles Washington Nationals
Massachusetts	Boston	02108	Boston Red Sox
Michigan	Detroit	48127	Detroit Tigers
Minnesota	Minneapolis	55111	Minnesota Twins
Mississippi	Jackson	39056	Atlanta Braves
Missouri	Kansas City	64030	Kansas City Royals
Montana	Billings	59101	Seattle Mariners
Nebraska	Omaha	68007	Kansas City Royals
Nevada	Las Vegas	88901	Los Angeles Angels Arizona Diamondbacks Los Angeles Dodgers Oakland Athletics San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants
New Hampshire	Manchester	03101	Boston Red Sox
New Jersey	Newark	07101	New York Mets New York Yankees
New Mexico	Albuquerque	87101	Arizona Diamondbacks Colorado Rockies
New York	New York City	10001	New York Mets New York Yankees
North Carolina	Charlotte	28105	Baltimore Orioles Cincinnati Reds Washington Nationals Atlanta Braves
North Dakota	Fargo	58102	Minnesota Twins
Ohio	Columbus	43004	Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Guardians Pittsburgh Pirates
Oklahoma	Oklahoma City	73008	Houston Astros Kansas City Royals St. Louis Cardinals Texas Rangers
Oregon	Portland	97035	Seattle Mariners
Pennsylvania	Philadelphia	19019	Philadelphia Phillies
Rhode Island	Providence	02860	Boston Red Sox
South Carolina	Charleston	29401	Atlanta Braves
South Dakota	Sioux Falls	57101	Minnesota Twins
Tennessee	Nashville	37011	Cincinnati Reds Atlanta Braves
Texas	Houston	77001	Houston Astros Texas Rangers
Utah	Salt Lake City	84044	Arizona Diamondbacks Colorado Rockies
Vermont	Burlington	05401	Boston Red Sox
Virginia	Virginia Beach	23450	Baltimore Orioles Washington Nationals
Washington	Seattle	98101	Seattle Mariners
West Virginia	Charleston	29401	Atlanta Braves
Wisconsin	Milwaukee	53201	Milwaukee Brewers
Wyoming	Cheyenne	82001	Colorado Rockies
–	Washington DC	20001	Baltimore Orioles Washington Nationals

STEP3. Access MLB.TV via the Chosen US Region

Access the MLB.TV.

You need to access the website while connected to a server the region of the US, so that the website will treat you as if you are accessing it from the region of the US.

How to Subscribe to MLB.TV

Here are the steps to Subscribe to MLB.TV using a VPN. MLB.TV offer a 7-day free trial, allowing you to explore their offerings during this period.

STEP1. Choose Your Plan on MLB.TV

Navigate to MLB.TV and select the plan you’re interested in. Click the “BUY NOW” button to proceed.

STEP2. Register Your Account

You’ll be taken to the login screen. Click “Sign Up” in the lower right corner.

Enter your email, password, and date of birth, then click “Register.”

STEP3. Enter Your Payment Method

Choose your payment method. MLB.TV accepts credit card and PayPal payments. Complete the payment process to finalize your subscription.

Once subscribed, select the games you want to watch and begin streaming.

The Best VPN Services for Watching MLB.TV

FAQ

Conclusion