If Sky Sports is no longer working with ExpressVPN, the streaming service has managed to block all of the IP addresses ExpressVPN currently has available.
This is frustrating and could result in you missing upcoming sports events. But, don’t panic, I’ll explain the way I fixed this problem, so you can watch Sky Sports with a VPN again.
See also:
- How to watch MOTD in Australia: The EASIEST method! (2023)
- ExpressVPN not working with BT Sport? Try these EASY fixes! (2023)
ExpressVPN not working with Sky Sports: Fixes
To fix ExpressVPN not working with Sky Sports, try these fixes. Follow them in order. If one doesn’t work, move to the next.
You’ll be watching Sky Sports with a VPN again in no time:
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Delete Cookies
Some websites and apps use Cookies to make your online experience with them more streamlined.
Sometimes you’re asked to accept these Cookies, sometimes they’re downloaded automatically.
These aren’t malicious files; however they sometimes contain information about your location.
Sky Sports can potentially access this information, and whether you’re using ExpressVPn or not, it can see if you’re outside of its broadcast zone. If you are outside the UK, it will block your connection.
When trying to fix ExpressVPN not working with Sky Sports, a good place to start is deleting your Cookies.
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Change to a different UK server
ExpressVPN isn’t working because Sky Sports have blocked the IP address it has given you.
This doesn’t mean all of its IP addresses have been blocked.
Changing to a different UK server will give you a new IP address, and if this one hasn’t been blocked, Sky Sports will work with ExpressVPN again.
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Upgrade to a better VPN
If you’ve made it this far in the list of fixes, I’m sorry to say Sky Sports has managed to block all of ExpressVPNs IP addresses.
It has managed to do this because ExpressVPN can no longer stay ahead of Sky Sports VPN blocking techniques.
You could wait for Express to release new IP addresses however because it doesn’t have measures I place, these will inevitably be blocked as well. The proper way to fix this problem is to upgrade to a VPN with effective measures in place to stay ahead of Sky Sports.
The best VPN for getting around Sky’s blocks is NordVPN ($3.79/month). This VPN plays a game of cat and mouse with Sky Sports. When an IP address provided by this VPN is blocked, NordVPN ($3.79/month) will close that IP and open a new one.
This means you won’t run into the same issues watching Sky Sports as you have with ExpressVPN. And you’ll be able to watch Sky Sports anywhere in the world reliably.
Why does Sky Sports block ExpressVPN?
Sky Sports blocks ExpressVPN to protect itself from potential copyright and licensing issues.
Sky doesn’t have the rights to broadcast its content worldwide. Sky Sports is a UK-based service only for UK-based customers.
Because ExpressVPN is a good way to watch Sky Sports outside of the UK, it could be the reason for breaching the agreements Sky has with its content partners. To stop this, Sky tries to block ExpressVPN. If it didn’t do, this Sky could potentially face serious financial punishments.
How does Sky Sports block ExpressVPN?
Sky Sports blocks ExpressVPN by monitoring for and blocking IP addresses provided by Express connecting to its service.
ExpressVPN is a large VPN and because of that, it has more customers than IP addresses. It struggles to keep up with the demand of its customer base and so customers are forced to share IP addresses.
Usually, only a household of connections will access Sky Sports via the same IP address. When Sky Sports sees an abnormal amount (more than an average household) of connections coming from the same IP address, it knows it’s an IP address provided by ExpressVPN and blocks it.
Does Sky Sports still work with VPNs?
Yes, Sky Sports, still works with VPNs, however, you’ll need a VPN that has a lot of IP addresses and has measures in place to stay ahead of Sky’s VPN blocking methods.
NordVPN ($3.79/month) has measures in place to get around Sky’s VPN blocking techniques. Not only does it have a large amount of IP addresses, meaning you will have less chance of sharing an IP address with other customers, its also capable of staying ahead of Sky’s blocks.
When Sky Sports blocks an IP address provided by NordVPN ($3.79/month). This VPN will close that IP address and open a new one. This will allow you to watch Sky Sports anywhere in the world reliably.
The best VPNs to watch Sky Sports
1. NordVPN $3.79/month
An incredibly fast and trustworthy VPN
- ✔Over 5,000 servers worldwide
- ✔6 simultaneous devices
- ✔Reliable customer service
- ✔Fast NordLynx protocol
- ✔Cybersec ad and tracker blocker
- ✔Easy to use interface
NordVPN is the most widely-used VPN in the world. And it’s easy to see why. It’s a polished app that delivers fast connections (more on this later) to a massive network of VPN servers.
It’s the most reliable at unblocking popular streaming services too – US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. This is because NordVPN hired a full-time technical team (that’s responsible for monitoring its servers’ connections with popular TV streaming services) and has been aggressively investing in its network of IP addresses in key locations.
Read our full NordVPN review.
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(30-day money-back guarantee)
2. Private Internet Access $2.03/month
An affordable, reliable VPN
- ✔35,000 servers worldwide
- ✔Unlimited simultaneous devices
- ✔24/7 chat support
- ✔Servers in over 80 countries
- ✔MACE ad blocker included
- ✔Supports multiple protocols
Private Internet Access is one of the leading no-log VPN services with over 1-million paying customers.
This VPN is one of the best in the industry at beating streaming sites’ VPN bans. It provides reliable connections with US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, MAX, Disney+ Amazon Prime, and many more.
Even better, it allows for an unlimited number of simultaneous devices to be connected to its servers at the same time. So you can share the account with all of your friends.
Read our full Private Internet Access review.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
3. Ivacy $1.00/month
A trustworthy and affordable VPN
- ✔5700+ servers worldwide
- ✔10 simultaneous devices
- ✔24/7 customer support
- ✔Dedicated IP address option
- ✔Available on all major platforms
- ✔Great price
If you’re looking for an excellent VPN, with an even better price tag, Ivacy ($1.00/month) is a great option.
While it doesn’t do much more than the other VPNs on this list, the main attraction is the price. This is an affordable VPN that will allow you to stream BBC iPlayer, in HD, from any country in the world on Mac, PC, Android, iOS and FireStick. You’ll also be able to unlock other services like US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, MAX, Amazon Prime, etc. with ease.
Read our full Ivacy review.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
4. CyberGhost $2.19/month
A solid VPN package
- ✔Deloitte verified no logs policy
- ✔Servers in 91 countries
- ✔7 simulatenous devices
- ✔Proprietary NoSpy servers
- ✔Multiple protocol options
- ✔Split tunneling support
CyberGhost is one of the more established VPNs on the market. It has a well-established, and well-tested global network of servers that perform well.
It also offers NoSpy servers which are specially designed to provide an extra layer of security and privacy for users.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
Is watching Sky Sports with a VPN legal?
Yes, watching Sky Sports is legal however it may go against the streaming service’s terms of service.
When you sign up to Sky Sports, you automatically agree to the terms of service. This is a contractual agreement that outlines the conditions and rights you have when using Sky Sports and explains what you are allowed and are not allowed to do with the streaming service.
If you breach these terms of service, Sky Sports has the right to block and or ban your account. The terms of service state “You must not or authorise or assist any third party to access the Service or stream any content available via the Service from any device which is located outside of the UK (including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) or ROI.”
Basically, what this means is if you use a VPN to access Sky Sports outside the UK, Sky Sports may ban your account.
With that said, given the wide-spread use of VPNs, plus the many legitimate and legal use cases for VPNs, it’s fair to suggest that banning customers for using a VPN would be an extremely costly policy for Sky Sports to enforce.
In theory, if you’re trying to watch Sky Sports in a region where it does not traditionally operate, you risk having your account banned. However, as the best VPNs use military-grade encryption, it’s impossible for streaming services to trace where you’re physically accessing its content from. Also, Sky Sports has never banned anyone for using a VPN to access its service.
It’s also important to know that if you’re using a VPN in one of these countries: China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, North Korea, Iraq, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Seychelles, Suriname, Namibia, Slovenia, Nicaragua and Tajikistan, it’s illegal and you may face punishments for doing so.
