How to Watch the Super Bowl Online (Free and Paid Streams)

Two football helmets next to the Super Bowl Trophy on a screen
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A Quick Guide: How to Watch the 2022 Super Bowl LVI From Anywhere

Super Bowl LVI is just around the corner. If you want to watch the NFL’s biggest game of the year, you might need to use a VPN to bypass geo-blocking. There are several (free) streams you can choose from, but most of them require you to be in the US.

To stream Super Bowl LVI with a VPN, follow our quick step-by-step guide below:

  1. Choose your preferred VPN provider and create an account. We recommend using Surfshark because of its excellent streaming capabilities.
  2. Download the VPN app on the device you want to stream the Super Bowl from.
  3. Log into the software with the account you created in step 1.
  4. Choose a U.S. server if you want to watch on the Yahoo Sports App or a different U.S. streaming site, or a U.K. server if you want to watch on BBC iPlayer.
  5. Go to your preferred streaming platform, start your stream, and enjoy Super Bowl LVI!

There are plenty of other ways to watch the Super Bowl for free from anywhere in the world. Check out our full article below for more available streams and the Super Bowl starting times.

The Super Bowl is back! The Cincinnati Bengals are set to battle it out with the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, February 13th at 6:30 p.m. EST!  Drawing in more than 100 million viewers every year, the Super Bowl is hands-down America’s biggest sporting event. As usual, Super Bowl LVI will feature a mega list of artists who will perform during the halftime show, including Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar.

While the big game flickers on TV screens in nearly every bar and living room across the U.S., finding a (free) live stream of Super Bowl LVI can be a little trickier, especially when you’re abroad. Are you unsure which streaming services show the Super Bowl? Trying to watch Super Bowl LVI outside the U.S.?

Check out the guide below and we’ll have you streaming the championship game before the play clock runs out.

Super Bowl LVI Rundown

Here’s a quick look at the Super Bowl LVI’s details:

AspectSuper Bowl 2022
Edition56 (LVI)
LocationSoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Kickoff timeSunday, Feb 13, 2022, 3:30 pm PST/6:30 pm EST
TeamsCincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams
RefereeRon Torbert
Halftime showDr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg
BroadcasterNBC Sports (free online stream available)

How to Watch Super Bowl LVI Online

There are three ways to watch Super Bowl LVI:

  • Watch a local stream that airs the Super Bowl: If you’re in the United States, you’re in luck! You can simply log onto a streaming website like FuboTV, SlingTV or Peacock TV and watch the game. You won’t be geo-blocked. Canada (DAZN) and the United Kingdom (BBC iPlayer) also have streams available.
  • Watch a Super Bowl stream using a VPN: A VPN lets you access American live streams of Super Bowl LVI. If you live in Portugal and want to watch the game, for example, a VPN can reroute your internet connection to a US server. This makes it appear as if you’re a local, and allows you to access American content.
  • Watch the Super Bowl via local TV: There are countless TV channels across the world that air the Super Bowl, including ESPN, DAZN, and O2.

The easiest way to watch the Super Bowl online is through live television or a (usually U.S.) streaming service. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to live television, and broadcasters that live stream the Super Bowl use a technique called geo-blocking to restrict people’s access to the game based on their geographical location. In these cases, you’ll need a VPN to unblock those restrictions.

How to Watch Super Bowl LVI for Free Wherever You Are

Each year, the broadcasting rights switch hands, and in 2022 you can watch the Super Bowl through NBC and its affiliates in the US. If you want to watch the game for free, there are some options for free streams worldwide you can check out, such as BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom and the Yahoo Sports App in the United States. However, not everyone has access to these free streams.

If you’re not in the U.S. or the U.K., check out our step-by-step guide below to get your VPN set up and ready to watch the Super Bowl online.

Step-by-step guide to watching the Super Bowl with a VPN

To watch the Super Bowl online when you don’t have access to a stream in your country, you will need to use a VPN. Check out our guide below to get your VPN set up and ready to watch the Super Bowl online.

How to install VPN software on your desktop, 6 steps infographic

  1. Choose your VPN provider and create an account. We recommend using Surfshark because of its excellent connection speeds and its cheap subscription — the ideal combination for watching the Super Bowl online. If you’d like to check out Surfshark, click on the orange button below.
  2. Download the VPN software on your preferred streaming device. The Surfshark app is available on all major app stores. Alternatively, you can visit their website and download the app directly from the website onto your computer.
  3. Install the app. On your phone, this will happen automatically. On your desktop, you’ll need to follow the steps outlined by the installation wizard.
  4. Log into the software using the account you created when you signed up in step 1.
  5. Choose a server in the right location. If you want to watch for free through the Yahoo Sports App, choose a location in the United States. For access to the free stream on BBC iPlayer, pick United Kingdom. If you don’t yet know which stream to pick, scroll down for a full list!
  6. Click “connect” to turn on the VPN and go to your preferred streaming service to find a Super Bowl LVI stream. Enjoy the NFL’s biggest event of the year!
Visit the Surfshark website

We don’t recommend using free VPNs as they can have drawbacks such as slow connection speeds, limited global servers, and a bandwidth limit. However, if you insist on using a free VPN, you can always take a look at our list of the best free VPNs.

Where Can I Watch Super Bowl LVI Live? (Free and Paid Streams)

If you want to watch the Super Bowl online, there are tons of streams to choose from. NBC Sports has the main broadcast of the biggest event in the NFL season this year. However, there are multiple online streams you can watch the Super Bowl on as well. Some of them have free trials you can use when you’re just interested in watching the Super Bowl online.

ServiceCountryFree Trial?Cost per month
Yahoo Sports AppUSFree to use$0
Peacock TVUSNo (No Super Bowl in free version)$4.99 (ads)
$9.99 (no ads)
BBC iPlayerUKFree to use$0
SlingTVUSNo$35
YouTube TVUS14-day free trial$64.99
FuboTVUS7-day free trial$64.99
Hulu + Live TVUS7-day free trial$64.99
DAZN (Canada)CanadaOne month free$20

If geo-blocking prevents you from accessing any of the above streams, a VPN will help you bypass that. This way, you won’t have to miss out on anything! Simply use the step-by-step plan above to get access to all the Super Bowl action.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many legal free streams available to stream the Super Bowl. If you’re looking for more places to watch NFL matches, you can find some of the best free NFL live streams here!

Super Bowl broadcasters

Watching the Super Bowl is easy if you’re in the United States. Major networks such as CBS and NBC broadcast the Super Bowl for free, both on their cable TV channels and by streaming it live through their website. However, the broadcasting rights change hands between NBC, CBS and other media outlets every year, so make sure you subscribe to the right one. Last year, the Big Game was broadcasted on CBS, and this year it will be on NBC. Unfortunately, this means you won’t be able to watch Super Bowl LVI on Paramount+.

There are multiple channels and websites that broadcast the Super Bowl across the globe. Depending on the country you’re in, you might need a VPN to access these websites. Also, most of these platforms require you to get a paid subscription to access their content online. Here’s a list of the different sites that broadcast Super Bowl in various countries around the world:

  • Argentina (ESPN)
  • Australia (ESPN)
  • Brazil (ESPN)
  • Canada (Bell)
  • China (Guangdong Sports, Fujian Sports, Hangzhou sports, Tianjin Sports, BesTV, Fox Sports, Tencent, G-Sports)
  • France (BeIN Sport, L’Equipe)
  • Germany (ProSieben (Maxx), DAZN)
  • Mexico (TV Azteca, ESPN, Fox Sports, Televisa)
  • South Korea (Coupang)
  • U.K. (BBC, Sky Sports)

For a full list of licensed broadcasters, take a look at this page on the NFL website.

The Best VPN Services to Watch the Super Bowl

In order to get the best reliable and uninterrupted streaming experience for this year’s Super Bowl, you’ll need to use a good VPN. Below are three of our favorite VPNs that are ideal for streaming. We have put each one to the test and can recommend them based on their value for money, connection speeds, and reliability.

1. Surfshark: A cheap but excellent option for streaming

Surfshark Banner

Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, which makes it an ideal option when it comes to streaming the Super Bowl. The excellent connection speed will allow you to sit back and enjoy the game without any lag or buffering, which is what most VPNs tend to struggle with. It’s a popular, user-friendly option, too, with millions of users worldwide.

Their VPN is very reasonably priced, too: for just a couple of dollars a month, you can enjoy their software without any limits. Just like many other premium VPNs, Surfshark stands by the quality of its service and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee that you can essentially use as a free trial. Simply get a subscription, use it to watch the Super Bowl and, if you don’t intend to use the service for anything else, cancel your plan without any questions asked.

Surfshark
Deal:
Safe and anonymous internet for only $2.30a month
From
$2.30
9.0
  • Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
  • 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
  • Cheap with many extra options
Visit Surfshark

2. NordVPN: Securely stream the Super Bowl

NordVPN Banner

Another great option to consider when it comes to streaming is NordVPN. The best thing about NordVPN is that it is one of the most secure VPNs on the market. It’s also excellent in terms of its user-friendliness. Even if you have never used a VPN before, you’ll easily be able to find your way on their excellent app.

On top of that, NordVPN still boasts excellent connection speeds which are great for streaming, and you won’t experience any lag or buffering here. NordVPN is also decently priced and, just like Surfshark, offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN
Our pick
Our pick
Deal:
Only $3.29 a month for a two-year subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
From
$3.29
9.3
  • Excellent protection and a large network of servers
  • Nice and pleasing application
  • No logs
Visit NordVPN

3. ExpressVPN: Watch sports streams without delay

ExpressVPN Banner New Branding

ExpressVPN has long been one of the leading VPNs on the market. They have rapid connection speeds and a stable and reliable connection, which will ensure that you can comfortably stream content from all over the world. The app is very user-friendly, and everything from the setup to getting connected to a server is a breeze.

Unfortunately, ExpressVPN is definitely a more expensive VPN. Even so, by taking advantage of their 30-day free trial, you can watch Super Bowl LVI without spending any money. Just make sure you cancel your subscription once you’re done if you’re not 100% happy with your Super Bowl viewing experience.

ExpressVPN
Deal:
Great discount on annual subscription + 30-day money-back guarantee!
From
$6.67
8.9
  • Very easy to use VPN
  • Perfect for anonymous browsing, downloading, and streaming (i.e. Netflix)
  • 3000+ servers in 94 countries
Visit ExpressVPN

Benefits of Using a VPN

While a VPN is the perfect tool to jump those digital geo-blocking fences, it’s also used as a cybersecurity tool. Using a VPN encrypts your data and allows you to route your internet traffic through servers across the globe. This has a number of benefits:

  • It masks your location, allowing you to browse the internet anonymously.
  • It hides your online activity, so not even your internet service provider will be able to keep track of your internet traffic.
  • It helps protect your data against hackers.
  • It allows you to unblock content that would otherwise be banned or restricted in your country.

For a deep dive into the many benefits of a VPN, check out our full article here.

Super Bowl Schedule: Kickoff Times Around the Globe

The Super Bowl is taking place on the 13th of February at 6:30 p.m. EST. The broadcasts will start half an hour before kickoff as the tension builds for the NFL’s biggest event of the year. The Cincinnati Bengals will go head-to-head with the Los Angeles Rams.

Those who watch the Super Bowl from the U.S. will be able to watch it in the afternoon. However, if you live in Europe, you’ll need to stay up late to watch the Super Bowl. If you want to find out what time the Super Bowl is on during your timezone, check out the table below:

Timezone (major regions)Super Bowl LVI Kickoff
PST (US Pacific Time and Canada’s west coast)Sunday, Feb 13, 2022, 3:30 PM (15:30)
MST (US Mountain Time and the western part of Mexico)Sunday, Feb 13, 2022, 4:30 PM (16:30)
CST (US Central Time and a big part of Mexico)Sunday, Feb 13, 2022, 5:30 PM (17:30)
EST (US Eastern Time and the eastern part of Canada)Sunday, Feb 13, 2022, 6:30 PM (18:30)
BRT (Most of Brazil, Argentina)Sunday, Feb 13, 2022, 8:30 PM (20:30)
GMT (United Kingdom, Ireland)Sunday, Feb 13, 2022, 11:30 PM (23:30)
CET (The Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and parts of Africa)Monday, Feb 14, 2022, 12:30 AM (00:30) (Sunday to Monday)
MSK (Part of Russia, Middle East, and African east coast)Monday, Feb 14, 2022, 2:30 AM (02:30) (Sunday to Monday)
WST (Western Australia, China)Monday, Feb 14, 2022, 7:30 AM (07:30)
JST (Japan)Monday, Feb 14, 2022, 8:30 AM (08:30)
AEDT (Eastern Australia)Monday, Feb 14, 2022, 10:30 AM (10:30)

Super Bowl LVI Matchup: Bengals vs. Rams

The Cincinnati Bengals face the Los Angeles Rams on Super Bowl Sunday. If you’re looking for an underdog, the Bengals haven’t appeared in a Super Bowl since the 1988 season, and have never won. The Rams aren’t strangers to the Vince Lombardi trophy, though. They won the championship during the 1999 season, and have made four Super Bowl appearances — with the most recent being in 2018.

Super Bowl 2022 Halftime Show

One of the biggest attractions of the Super Bowl is the spectacular halftime shows. Last year, we had an incredible performance from The Weeknd. This year will be just as big a hit, as there’s a star-studded lineup waiting to light up the SoFi stadium on Sunday afternoon. Check out the most notable names below:

  • Dr. Dre
  • Eminem
  • Mary J. Blige
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Snoop Dogg

Make sure you don’t miss this halftime show by using a VPN to watch the Super Bowl online.

How to Watch the Super Bowl Online: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a lingering question about watching the Super Bowl online? Are you unsure of which stream to pick, or whether you need a VPN? Our FAQ below will help you out! Simply click on a question to read the answer.

You can watch the Super Bowl online for free through selected streaming services. In the United States, the Yahoo Sports App offers a free stream, whereas in the U.K. the Super Bowl is available to watch via BBC iPlayer. Alternatively, you can use a free trial from a premium streaming services to watch. If you don’t have access to any of these streams, you might need to use a VPN. You can find more information in our article “How to Watch the Super Bowl Worldwide.”

Yes, the Super Bowl of 2022 will be aired on BBC One and Two in the United Kingdom, and will also be available online via BBC iPlayer. This streaming platform is completely free, too. If you’re not in the U.K. at the time of the event, you might find yourself unable to access the stream. You can read all about watching BBC iPlayer beyond the U.K. in this article.

The 2022 Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, the 13th of February at 6:30 p.m. EST. This means it’ll be airing in the late afternoon or early evening in most parts of the Americas. For most of Europe, it’ll be airing in the middle of the night from Sunday to Monday. Australia and Asia will be able to witness the spectacle on Monday morning.

Tech journalist
Tove has been working for VPNoverview since 2017 as a journalist covering cybersecurity and privacy developments. She has broad experience developing rigorous VPN testing procedures and protocols for our VPN review section and has tested dozens of VPNs over the years.