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How to Watch BT Sport (TNT Sports) in the USA in 2024
Last updated April 3, 2024
BT Sport (rebranded as TNT Sports in 2023) has one of the most comprehensive content libraries for sports fans. From football to racing, there’s something here for everyone. Unfortunately, this group of sports TV channels is geo-restricted to the UK and the Republic of Ireland due to licensing contracts between BT and sports associations.
Moreover, Discovery+ is now the streaming home for TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport). While Discovery Plus can be streamed in the US, the plan, including BT Sport, is not available. Luckily, you can unblock BT Sport in the USA by spoofing your IP address with a VPN. If you’re a UK resident and just traveling abroad, you may use a VPN and keep up with your favorite sports on the go.
In this article, we'll explain step-by-step how to watch BT Sport in the USA, discuss why you need a VPN, and offer some VPN recommendations. We'll also list examples of what you can watch, share troubleshooting tips if BT Sport is not working with a VPN, answer some FAQs, and much more.
How to Watch BT Sport in the USA
To watch BT Sport in the USA, you'll need to get the UK version of Discovery+, the new streaming home for TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport). This will require a valid UK payment method. Of course, you'll also need a reliable VPN to connect to a UK server. Here’s how to do it:
- Sign up for a VPN that unblocks BT Sport (we recommend NordVPN).
- Download and install the VPN on your device(s).
- Launch the VPN, log in, and complete the initial setup.
- Connect to a UK server from the in-app list.
- Go to the Discovery Plus UK website and click “Sign Up” in the top-right of the page.
- Choose the "Premium (incl. TNT Sports)" plan and click “Sign Up.”
- Enter all your details to create your Discovery Plus UK account.
- Choose your payment option (UK credit/debit card or PayPal) and complete payment.
- That's it! Now you can pick an event and watch TNT Sports in the USA!
Aside from Discovery+, there are various other ways to watch TNT Sports. You can get TNT Sports in the UK directly through BT broadband packages, or you can add it to certain Sky packages and devices. It's also offered in the UK through EE and Virgin Media. In the Republic of Ireland, it's available through Sky, Now, Virgin Media, and Vodafone.
Why Do You Need a VPN for Watching BT Sport (UK TNT Sports) in the USA?
You need a VPN for watching BT Sport in the USA because it’s exclusive to the UK and the Republic of Ireland. TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) streaming is offered in the UK with Discovery+. TNT Sports channels are also available with Sky, EE, and Virgin Media broadband packages.
However, the Discovery+ plan with TNT Sports is not available to users in the Republic of Ireland. They are limited to getting TNT Sports channels on Sky, Now, Virgin Media, and Vodafone broadband plans.
If you try to watch BT Sport outside the UK without a VPN via the TNT Sports website, you’ll get the following error message: “This video cannot be played because of a technical error, please try again.”
On the other hand, if you try to watch TNT Sports on Discovery+ outside the UK without a VPN, you'll see this error: “Sorry, access to Discovery+ is available only within the country where you created your account.”
Fortunately, a VPN allows you to switch to a different virtual location (e.g., the UK), and gain access to any local content you want. How does it all work? Well, when you connect to a VPN server in the UK, your device is assigned a UK IP address. BT Sport will see that you’re connected from a supported region and allow you access.
That said, not all VPNs work properly on BT Sport. BT is obligated to enforce geo-restrictions due to their contracts with UEFA, Premier League, and other sports leagues. Therefore, TNT Sports routinely blocks VPN IP ranges as part of its contractual obligations.
This is why we recommend using NordVPN - it easily unblocks TNT Sports because they regularly update their IP tables (or use other methods) to prevent pesky blocks. Not to mention, you'll get access to 440+ UK servers that support fast 4K streaming, which is perfect for live sports events.
The Best VPNs to Stream BT Sport in the USA
When choosing a VPN, you need to make sure it meets a number of criteria. First, it should be able to unblock BT Sport and other streamers. This means it needs to have a sizable network of servers in the UK, Ireland, and worldwide. Moreover, it should deliver fast speeds and stable performance for streaming live sports events in 4K.
Naturally, the VPN should include a kill switch and obfuscation to prevent BT Sport from finding your true location. It should also have a strict no-logs policy, top protocols (e.g., OpenVPN, Wireguard), and strong encryption (e.g., AES-256) to protect your data.
Look for a VPN that offers user-friendly apps on all your devices (PC, mobile, and more). That, and enough simultaneous connections for all your gadgets. Lastly, value-packed pricing, 24/7 live chat, and a robust money-back policy should be included.
Based on the criteria above, these are the 4 best BT Sport VPNs available now:
- NordVPN - Our #1-Ranked VPN to Watch BT Sport in the USA
- Surfshark - Fully Obfuscated VPN for Streaming BT Sport in the USA
- ExpressVPN - Watch BT Sport Online with Fast UK Servers
- CyberGhost VPN - Unblock BT Sport in the US on a Budget
1. NordVPN - Our #1-Ranked VPN to Watch BT Sport in the USA
NordVPN is the best VPN to stream BT Sport (TNT Sports) in the USA. It has a smart DNS hybrid system called SmartPlay to unblock BT Sport and other streamers without leaking your location. Couple that with its 440+ UK servers in 4 locations (Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester) and 50+ servers in Dublin, Ireland, and you won’t miss a match on BT Sport. Overall, it has 6,200+ servers in 111 countries.
Performance is impeccable and speeds are super fast, whether you connect from close-by or from across the world. NordVPN perfectly streams HD and 4K content on BT Sport. Watching BT Sport events has never been faster or easier, no matter where you are located.
NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been audited, and their apps have a reliable kill switch that is customizable by app. On top of that, their obfuscated UK servers can be found under “Specialty Servers” in the app.
As for security, you'll get the advanced NordLynx protocol, based on the fast and secure WireGuard with ChaCha20 encryption. OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec options are included, too, with AES-256-GCM encryption to safeguard your browsing.
NordVPN's apps have a clean interface and work on all major platforms, including computers, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, routers, and more. You can use NordVPN to watch BT Sport on up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is quite generous.
This provider is very affordable, with a 2-year plan on offer for as low as $3.09 per month. Lastly, NordVPN has 24/7 live support and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions.
PROS
- 440+ ultra-fast UK servers.
- SmartPlay for bypassing geo-blocks.
- Audited no-logs claims.
- 10 simultaneous connections.
- 30-day refund period.
- 24/7 live chat available.
CONS
- Obfuscation only on certain servers.
2. Surfshark - Fully Obfuscated VPN for Streaming BT Sport in the USA
You can't go wrong with Surfshark for streaming BT Sport in the USA because it effortlessly unblocks BT Sport outside the UK, along with other streaming services. This is thanks to its 212 servers in 4 UK locations (Glasgow, London, Manchester, and Edinburgh) and servers in Dublin, Ireland. Its entire network spans 3,200 servers in 100 countries.
Surfshark delivers lightning-fast speeds and consistent performance no matter what server you connect to. This will allow you to stream events on BT Sport in 4K without buffering from any location. Moreover, its Nexus technology routes your traffic through its entire network to enhance speed and connection stability.
All Surfshark servers are obfuscated, so you won't have to worry about TNT Sports figuring out you're using a VPN. Plus, you'll be covered by an audited no-logs policy and a reliable kill switch. You can choose from WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols with either AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption (protocol-dependent).
Surfshark supports all popular devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, smart TVs, and more. Even better, it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. This makes it perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Given all these benefits, it's impressive that Surfshark keeps its pricing so affordable. Its 2-year plan is just $2.29 per month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support, in case you run into any issues.
PROS
- 212 servers in the UK.
- Incredible speeds.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Full network obfuscation.
- 30-day money-back policy.
- 24/7 live chat.
CONS
- Initial connection times can lag.
3. ExpressVPN - Watch BT Sport Online with Fast UK Servers
ExpressVPN is another excellent choice if you want to stream BT Sport in the USA because it easily unblocks BT Sport and other streaming platforms. This is thanks to plenty of servers in Dublin, Ireland, and 5 UK locations (East London, London, Docklands, Wembley, and Midlands). It also offers thousands of servers in 105 countries in total.
You'll enjoy blazing-fast speeds and reliable performance with ExpressVPN. Its server network works flawlessly regardless of the distance between you and the server. It doesn't matter where you’re watching BT Sport from - you'll be able to stream high-quality sporting content buffer-free.
All ExpressVPN servers have obfuscation enabled to hide your VPN activity from BT Sport. The provider keeps no user logs and has a powerful kill switch. Their cutting-edge Lightway protocol (paired with WolfSSL encryption) nets you fantastic speeds for HD and 4K content. OpenVPN and IKEv2 are also available, with AES-256 encryption protecting your data.
ExpressVPN offers user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and more. Its router app is especially handy for protecting streaming devices that don't support VPNs natively, like game consoles. Plus, it allows 8 simultaneous connections, which is enough for most users.
On the higher end of the pricing range, ExpressVPN has a 1-year plan for $6.67 per month. Finally, you get 24/7 live chat and a robust 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans if you feel like trying out another provider.
PROS
- Beginner-friendly apps.
- High-performance UK servers.
- Easily unblocks BT Sport.
- Obfuscation on all servers.
- Expert 24/7 live chat.
- 30-day refund policy.
CONS
- Can be expensive.
4. CyberGhost VPN - Unblock BT Sport in the US on a Budget
CyberGhost VPN is the streaming enthusiast’s dream, as it unblocks BT Sport and 40+ other streaming platforms around the world without a hitch. Users get to connect to 1,140+ fast UK servers in 3 locations (Berkshire, London, and Manchester) and 120+ servers in Dublin, Ireland, to enjoy their favorite sports programming. In total, it comes with 11,500+ servers in 100 countries.
While a little slower than its competitors, CyberGhost still provides medium-fast speeds and sufficient performance as long as you’re connected to servers closer to you. This was good enough for streaming BT Sport during our testing. You'll likely notice drops in speed if you connect to more distant servers, though.
No obfuscation, unfortunately, but there are specialized streaming servers that work well for bypassing VPN detection. CyberGhost does have a strict no-logs policy and an always-on kill switch. When it comes to security, you can choose from WireGuard alongside OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec protocols (with the usual AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption).
CyberGhost's apps are available for all systems - both PC and mobile and many more - and have an intuitive interface. The provider allows a decent 7 simultaneous connections.
If you're on a tight budget, CyberGhost is a perfect choice because it only costs $2.19 per month on a 2-year plan. It also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on longer plans. Lastly, as always, you benefit from 24/7 live chat regardless of your subscription status.
PROS
- 1,140+ servers in the UK.
- Works on 40+ streaming sites.
- Strict no-logs policy.
- 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Customer support available 24/7.
CONS
- Slower than competition.
- No obfuscation.
What to Watch on BT Sport in the USA?
BT Sport (now TNT Sports) is the best place to keep up with your favorite teams in leagues like the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, (and more), catch the latest fights in the UFC and WWE, enjoy MotoGP races, and get plenty more coverage in the world of sports.
You can also stream BT Sport exclusive documentaries like The Special 1 or George Best - True Genius, stick around for extensive coverage on UFC Now, Greatest Fights, or MotoGP Chequered Flag, or just see who’s playing on channels like TNT Sports 1 through 4.
Here’s what else you can watch on BT Sport in the USA:
BT Sport Not Working with a VPN - How to Fix
Many issues could result in BT Sport not working with a VPN. Below, we’ll provide actionable tips to solve problems regarding connectivity, outdated software, persistent cookies, system or antivirus firewalls, software conflicts, or just a case of BT Sport blocking your access. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Reboot Your System/VPN – Rebooting will solve most errors causing streaming sites to not work with a VPN (especially on mobile).
- Troubleshoot Any Internet Issues – Connect to a hotspot or use a wired connection for watching BT Sport online to see if that solves things.
- Update Your VPN App – The latest updates may include fixes to whatever lead to BT Sport not working with a VPN.
- Try Another VPN Server – Streaming providers frequently block VPN IPs, so switch VPN servers before trying anything else.
- Try a Different VPN Protocol – Your workplace or school may block VPNs by protocol, so choose a different one to see if it helps.
- Clear Your Cookies – If you’re previously tried to stream BT Sport online, their cookies will expose your true location. Here’s how to clear cookies just in case.
- Verify Firewall and Antivirus Settings – Check if your system or antivirus firewall are blocking the VPN from functioning normally.
- Remove Other VPNs – App conflicts causing streaming sites to not work are rare, but not unheard of. Try uninstalling other apps to see if it solves the issue.
- Contact Customer Support – Your VPN’s support team can keep you posted about any service errors preventing you from watching BT Sport outside the UK, as well as provide some helpful tips here and there.
- Get a Different VPN – If all else fails, it’s a good time to shop for a new provider.
Can You Use a Free VPN to Watch BT Sport Outside the UK?
Yes, you can use a free VPN to watch BT Sport outside the UK, though we don’t suggest it. Companies like the newly rebranded TNT Sports block free VPNs, as they’re contractually obligated to maintain region exclusivity for their matches and leagues.
What’s more, free VPNs sell user data, don’t have many servers on their free plans (which could lead to overcrowding), and typically impose data caps, severely limiting how much you can watch. No such problems with a VPN free trial from a premium provider, though.
We recommend the NordVPN free trial to watch TNT Sports online. It comes with a completely free 7-day trial on Android or a generous 30-day money-back policy for all other devices, so you can try it out before committing long term. Speaking of which, all the best VPN providers offer similar trial periods and money-back plans, so you can check them out, too.
Final Thoughts
BT Sport (now TNT Sports) is an excellent provider for sports fans. Unfortunately, if you live in the US, you won't be able to watch BT Sport because it's only available in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Sports fans in the US and UK residents traveling abroad can unblock BT Sport outside the UK by using a VPN to spoof their IP.
We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN to watch BT Sport in the US. With their fast, extensive server network in the UK, SmartPlay, and obfuscation, you get all the tools necessary to stream TNT Sports with no interruptions.
That’s everything you need to know about how to watch BT Sport in the US. Thanks for reading, and let us know in the comments if you have any other questions!
