How to stream ESPN & ABC from outside USA

ESPN / ABC logos as we explain how to watch ESPN and ABC from outside the USA
(Image credit: ESPN / ABC)

ESPN and ABC are a dynamic duo when it comes to sports – their slate of live action includes the NFL, NBA, NHL, college basketball, college football, F1, NWSL, La Liga and Bundesliga.

But how can you stream ESPN and ABC from abroad when traveling outside the U.S. for the holiday season, on a summer vacay, or merely working outside the States?

There's no need to miss out. Below we reveal everything you need to know about how to watch and stream ESPN and ABC – and from from anywhere in the world.

How to stream ESPN and ABC online in the US

You don't need cable to watch ESPN and ABC in the US

You can stream the channels online instead, via a multitude of cord-cutting services.

The best ones are listed below:

🟩 Sling, which starts at $45.99/mo, though you'll get 50% off your first month.
🟩 Fubo, which starts at $59.99/mo after a 7-day FREE trial.
🟩 Hulu + Live TV, which is $82.99/mo after 3 months for $64/mo

Note: ESPN and ABC are are not currently available through YouTube TV – many customers have lost both channels due to an ongoing dispute with Disney.

How to watch ESPN & ABC outside the US

ESPN and ABC, as well as Sling, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, are American services that are only available if you are located within the U.S. or its territories (including Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands).

That’s where a VPN comes in handy – not only does it let you access your home streaming services from anywhere, but it also protects you from potential online threats.

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Get NordVPN and stream ESPN & ABC outside the USA.

What devices and platforms are supported by NordVPN?

Amazon Fire Stick
Android
Android TV/Google TV
Chromecast
iOS
iPadOS
Nvidia Shield
Raspberry Pi
Web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)

Although you can't run NordVPN directly on other devices, such as PlayStation and Xbox consoles, TVs running Apple TV and various other smart TV systems, and VR headsets, an easy workaround is running NordVPN on your smartphone or computer and setting up a hotspot.

American football with an NFL logo

(Image credit: Twin Design / Shutterstock.com)

Which sports can I watch on ESPN?

ESPN carries a very wide variety of sports. Among them:

  • NFL (American football) and related programming — e.g., “NFL Live”
  • NBA (basketball) and WNBA (women’s basketball)
  • College sports: College football, men’s and women’s college basketball
  • Soccer (various leagues) and other international sports
  • NHL (ice hockey) — ESPN has rights for NHL coverage
  • Other sports like tennis, golf majors, combat sports (boxing), etc

Which sports can I watch on ABC?

ABC, being a broadcast network, features many major prime-time sports events along with its general TV programming. Some of the sports you’ll find depending on your location:

  • College football — regular-season games and championships
  • NFL (American football) — including Monday Night Football simulcasts
  • NBA (Basketball) — regular season, playoffs and NBA Finals
  • WNBA — some games are aired on ABC
  • MLB (Major League Baseball) — Wild Card / postseason games
  • NHL (National Hockey League) — select regular-season / playoff games
  • Soccer — including MLS and other major matches
  • Tennis — major tournaments (e.g., Wimbledon) on ABC
  • Auto racing / motorsports — e.g., selected Formula One races
  • Softball, college-baseball and other college sports (women’s softball, etc.)
  • Lacrosse — e.g., the Premier Lacrosse League.
  • X Games and other action sports

What TV shows can I watch on ESPN and ABC?

A promo photo for Grey's Anatomy

(Image credit: Sky/Now TV)

ABC broadcasts huge TV hits such as Grey's Anatomy, High Potential, Dancing with The Stars and 9-1-1.

Abbott Elementary season 5 regularly tops streaming charts too, and will be in full flow over the festive period.

ABC has almost as many 2025 Christmas TV specials planned as Santa himself, and they're not restricted to staples like CMA Country Christmas, The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular, The Great Christmas Light Fight, the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, and New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be something a little different, while Kevin Costner will have his serious hat on for the documentary The First Christmas. The Snowball Protocol, the fifth instalment in the animated Prep & Landing series that's been 14 years in the making, is brand-new for 2025, starring Danny Pudi and Sarah Chalke.

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Aatif Sulleyman

Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.

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