How to watch Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and live stream 2021 action from anywhere

With just a few days left of the Paralympics left, don't miss out on the final moments of the athletics, cycling, football and more, as well as the spectacular Closing Ceremony. Spanning across 539 events and 22 different sports, there are plenty of gold medals still left to be awarded in this fantastic display of diverse talent and strength. Here's how to watch the 2021 Paralympic Games and get a free Paralympic live stream where you are in the world.

There's plenty to look forward to across the last weekend of the games, from tradition track and field competitions, to those in the swimming pool, as well as the almost-therapeutic boccia and chaotic joy of goalball.

Brazil's Jefinho - known as the Paralympic Pele - is a star to watch out for. Though perhaps the biggest of them all is 13-time champ Jessica Long, an irresistible force in the pool for the US.

China has topped the medal table at five consecutive Paralympics, but the gap between the best and the rest is getting steadily narrower, with Great Britain, Ukraine, Australia and the US looking to finally halt that streak.

Whichever country or athlete you follow, the good news is that it's easy to get a FREE Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games live stream right now - just follow our 2021 guide to watch the Paralympics online and from anywhere, and catch the last of the Paralympic action.

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How to live stream Paralympics 2021 action if you're not in your country

Without wishing to state the obvious, the Paralympic Games is a huge global event, and there should be a way to watch no matter where you find yourself during the gold-frenzy fortnight. But if you're abroad and struggling to see it - or if you just want the comfort and language of your home nation's coverage - then geo-restrictons may stand in your way of getting an Paralympics live stream in 2021.

But there's a really easy way around that problem. By downloading and installing a VPN, you can effectively trick your computer into thinking that it's back at home. That way you can enjoy your home coverage without having to find an illegal stream - assuming you comply with the broadcaster's fine print, of course.

Use a VPN to watch Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games from anywhere

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Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...

1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN

2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location

3. Go to the broadcaster's live stream - so if you're from the UK, just head to All4 (opens in new tab)

Remember, VPNs aren't just about watching sport (or other TV shows when you're overseas). They also provide a handy layer of extra anonymity and security to your everyday life online, and can help you get around blocks websites, apps and services when you're in countries (or schools or offices) that have more stringent web rules, such as China, Cuba or the Middle East.

FREE Paralympics live stream: how to watch Tokyo 2020 online in the UK 

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Channel 4 (opens in new tab) is the place to tune into for comprehensive coverage of 2021's Paralympics without paying a penny, and it's really going all-out. 

As well as hosting more than 300 hours of round the clock coverage on Channel 4, More 4 will be showing all things team sports, and if you're not in front of a TV you can live stream all of it via the All4 (opens in new tab) streaming service. 

But even better - the dedicated Channel 4 Paralympics microsite (opens in new tab) will be showing up to 16 live streams at a time, amounting to more than 1,000 hours of action. 

If you don't already, you'll need to make a free account to watch Channel 4 on demand, but there's no payment or credit cards involved.

If you're watching from your mobile, it's the All 4 app you'll need for Android or iOS. And the streaming service is also compatible with Chromecast, PS4, Xbox One, YouView, Roku, Samsung, Amazon Fire, FreeviewPlay, Now TV, Sky and Virgin Media.

Not in the UK for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics? No worries - just download and install a VPN (opens in new tab) to port yourself back home to a UK location, then watch live as usual. 

How to watch Paralympics 2021: live stream Tokyo 2020 in the US 

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NBC has upped its game for the 2020 Paralympics, with the action from Tokyo being split between linear TV coverage on NBCSN (opens in new tab) or NBC (opens in new tab), the Olympic Channel (opens in new tab), and its dedicated streaming service Peacock TV.

What Paralympics events can I watch on Peacock?

Peacock is live streaming the finals of multiple sports, including wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball, where Team USA tends to shine. It's also showing the wheelchair rugby and marathons. In short, the only live coverage it has will be at the weekends... but at least it's free!

Casual fans will find that Peacock's free Tokyo Live and Tokyo Today Paralympics highlights and analysis shows are good for dipping in and out of. 

How to watch Paralympics without cable

All of the Paralympics action that's aired on linear TV can be watched affordably without cable - courtesy of great value over-the-top streaming service Sling. 

NBCSN comes as part of its $35 a month Sling Blue package. But be sure to check the Sling website for special offers (opens in new tab)  - there's usually something eye-catching on. For example, at the time of writing your first month for only $10 (opens in new tab).

How to watch the Paralympics online from anywhere

If you subscribe to this or any other streaming service and find yourself unable to access it because you're out of the country, remember that you can use a VPN to tune into your usual coverage just like you would at home. 

Of the many options, we rate ExpressVPN as the best of the best (opens in new tab) - our latest 2021 testing showing that it works brilliantly in helping US residents access services like Sling and Peacock from abroad.

How to watch the Paralympics FREE: live stream Tokyo 2020 in Australia

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Aussie sports fans can watch the 2020 Paralympics for FREE Down Under, thanks to Channel 7 (opens in new tab).

And if you’d like to stream the action from Tokyo online instead, Channel 7's coverage is also available to watch via the network’s 7Plus (opens in new tab) streaming service.

The even better news is that it's looking like coverage is really at a maximum, and you can pick and choose what you want to watch live as it's happening. A fantastic win for Aussie viewers!

Not in Australia? Use a VPN (opens in new tab) if you're away from home, in order to tap into your local Paralympics coverage.

How to watch the Paralympics: live stream Tokyo 2020 in Canada for FREE

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Tokyo 2020 coverage is split between broadcasters in Canada, but CBC is our top pick, as it's making loads of free coverage available absolutely free on its website (opens in new tab) and apps.

And on top of that, the channel's standalone streaming service, CBC Gem, offers a 1-month FREE trial (opens in new tab). After that, a subscription costs CA$4.99 per month.

Sportsnet is also offering some Paralympics coverage, and Sportsnet Now (opens in new tab) is perfect for cord-cutting fans, costing just $19.99 a month.

But whatever you're trying to watch, we'd heartily recommend that you take a look at your local schedules to see which broadcaster has what.

And don't forget that using a VPN (opens in new tab) is the way to get your regular Paralympics live stream if you're away from Canada during the event.

How to watch the Paralympics: live stream Tokyo 2020 in New Zealand

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The official broadcaster for the 2020 Paralympics in New Zealand is TVNZ Duke (opens in new tab), which is FREE to watch. It's showing the action from Tokyo from lunchtime all the way through to the early hours, every day.

You can also stream the action online via the free TVNZ OnDemand (opens in new tab) streaming service, which is also completely free to use and available on a wide range of devices. 

If you're away from New Zealand right now, use a VPN (opens in new tab) and you'll be streaming the Paralympics in no time at all.

Tokyo Paralympics 2020 schedule and events

• Paralympics Opening Ceremony - August 24
• Archery - August 27 - September 4
• Athletics - August 27 - September 5
• Badminton - September 1-5
• Boccia - August 28 - September 4
• Canoe Sprint - September 2-4
• Cycling Road - August 31 - September 3
• Cycling Track - August 25-28
• Equestrian - August 26-30
• Football 5-a-side - August 29 - September 4
• Golf - July 29 - August 7
• Goalball - August 25 - September 3
• Judo - August 27-29
• Powerlifting - August 26-30
• Rowing - August 27-29
• Shooting - August 30 - September 5
• Sitting Volleyball - August 27 - September 5
• Swimming - August 25 - September 3
• Table Tennis - August 25 - September 3
• Taekwondo - September 2-4
• Triathlon - August 28-29
• Wheelchair Basketball - August 25 - September 5
• Wheelchair Fencing - August 25-29
• Wheelchair Rugby - August 25-29
• Wheelchair Tennis - August 27 - September 4

Are there any new sports for 2020 Paralympics?

Adding to the hundreds of events, there are two new sports added to the Paralympics schedule athletes can compete for. Badminton and taekwondo both debuted on September 1 and 2 respectively.

You'll also be able to watch a handful of new disiciplies, with the va'a event now added to canoeing, and R9 mixed 50 prone SH2 in the shooting.

There's also been a tweak to the rowing format worth noting, with races being contested over 2,000m, an increase from 1,000m, which we also saw at the Olympics.

Will there be domestic spectators at the Paralympics?

As was the case at the Olympics, spectators will not be allowed to attend Paralympics events in the Japanese capital. That's because Covid-19 is still spreading rapidly in Tokyo, with mid-August seeing record numbers of serious cases.

Where are the 2020 Paralympics being held?

For the first time since 1964, Tokyo is the host city for the Paralympic Games. 

The '64 Paralympics was the second ever iteration of the event, comprising just nine sports. Great Britain topped the medal table with 18 golds.

The Olympic Stadium in in Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku, is the centre of Tokyo 2020, and will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics, but many of the events will be held elsewhere.

Will the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics go ahead?

When the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was postponed last summer, an International Olympic Committee member said that a further postponement would have a knock on effect to the next Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics, which are both set to take place in Beijing, in February and March 2022. 

Things can change quickly, but it's growing increasingly likely that the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics will go ahead as originally planned.

Is the Olympic Channel free?

After that little more depth in your Olympics spectating. The Official Olympic Channel is available via your browser or as an app on many devices. Here you can find replays of some of the most iconic moments in Paralympics broadcasting history, as well as live events in some territories, documentaries, and so much more.

A great means to get you geared up in the lead up to the Opening Ceremony, check out the Olympic Channel (opens in new tab).

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