Raven Wu
Updated on: January 2, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Watch the NFL Kickoff Game Online With a VPN in 2024:
- Step 1: Download and install a VPN. ExpressVPN is my top pick because it works with all services that show the NFL kickoff and has the fastest speeds on the market.
- Step 2: Connect to a VPN server. Launch your VPN app and connect to a local server. If the NFL kickoff game isn’t available in your location, you can still hypothetically stream it by using a VPN. However, this would be against most streaming platforms’ Terms of Service and can constitute copyright infringement.
- Step 3: Start watching! You’re all set. You can now stream the NFL kickoff game more securely.
The best way to watch the NFL kickoff game is with a VPN (virtual private network). This is because a VPN encrypts your internet traffic to protect your data and shields you from prying eyes, including your ISP (Internet Service Provider). So, if it’s throttling your speed because of bandwidth-demanding activities, like streaming, your ISP will no longer know what you’re doing once you connect to a VPN.
A VPN can, in theory, help you watch the NFL kickoff game from a different location (where it’s not available). But doing so would be in violation of most streaming platforms’s Terms of Service and copyright laws, which isn’t something that I or any of my colleagues at SafetyDetectives condone.
I recommend ExpressVPN for safely watching the defending Super Bowl champs face the Lions. It works with many streaming services that broadcast the game and has the fastest speeds on the market. But in my list below, you’ll find a couple of other VPNs that are decent alternatives.
Best VPNs for Watching the NFL Kickoff Game in 2024
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for watching the NFL kickoff game in 2024.
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Fast VPN for watching the NFL kickoff game in the US.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Great for watching the NFL kickoff game on dedicated NFL servers.
- Comparison of the Best VPNs for Watching the NFL Kickoff Game.
My colleagues and I at SafetyDetectives do not condone copyright infringement. The VPNs below have strict no-logging policies that prevent them from keeping track of what you do online, which means, you’re responsible for following all applicable rules and regulations when using a VPN.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Watching the NFL Kickoff Game in 2024
Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for streaming the NFL kickoff game in 2024. It works consistently with all major streaming services that broadcast the game and has unparalleled connection speeds.
I was very impressed with its streaming support. ExpressVPN works with 100+ streaming platforms, and my US colleague confirmed that it works flawlessly with sites and apps where you can watch quarterback Patrick Mahomes battle the Lions’ defense, such as YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and Hulu+Live TV. My colleague in the UK also said he was able to watch Channel 5 and DAZN UK when connected to ExpressVPN’s UK servers. This is why it’s #1 on our list of the top VPNs for streaming.
Speeds are very important for streaming, and ExpressVPN is the fastest. In my speed tests, I streamed a variety of shows and sports events in crisp HD and 4K and never ran into any buffering. I also think it’s great that it has a large server network spread across 105 countries, including 20+ server locations in the US, so you’ll have no trouble finding a nearby server for the best possible speeds.
ExpressVPN has user-friendly apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, so you can watch the game on any device. If you prefer watching on a large screen, ExpressVPN has apps for smart TVs and Amazon Fire Stick, and it’s one of the only VPNs with a dedicated router app and a smart DNS tool. These two features make it easy to watch the Chiefs and Lions on devices that can’t normally use a VPN, like certain smart TVs and gaming consoles.
It’s very strong in the privacy and security department as well. ExpressVPN provides protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, uses perfect forward secrecy, meaning it refreshes the encryption key used to protect your data constantly, and has RAM-only servers, so any data kept on its servers is wiped with every reboot, further guaranteeing your privacy.
ExpressVPN plans start at $6.67 / month, which is a bit higher than most other providers. But I think it’s a great investment considering how much it brings to the table. It backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great Speeds for Watching the NFL Kickoff Game in the US
Private Internet Access (PIA) is great for streaming the NFL kickoff game in the US. It works with streaming sites that carry the NFL season, including the NFL kickoff game, like YouTube TV, NFL+, and Hulu, and it has servers in every single US state, which gives you a ton of connection options. It has servers in 91 other countries, too, so there are still plenty of options to watch the NFL kickoff game in other locations, like the UK, Germany, and Australia.
I put PIA’s speeds to the test by streaming various sports events over a week in my location. While it doesn’t quite match the blazing-fast speeds of ExpressVPN, I had no cause for complaint: Every stream played smoothly in HD and 4K without interruptions.
This provider has customizable apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. I especially like that PIA lets you choose between 256-bit AES encryption, which offers fast speeds and great security, and 128-bit AES which is still very secure but slightly faster, especially for streaming. PIA comes with a smart DNS tool, too, if you want to watch the first NFL game of the year on devices that aren’t VPN-friendly.
PIA is a very secure VPN. It has an independently audited no-logs policy and full leak protection and uses both perfect forward secrecy and RAM-only servers. I’m a fan of how transparent PIA is too: Its apps are open source, meaning anyone can inspect its code for issues. Furthermore, it releases regular transparency reports that let you easily look up legal requests it’s received for user data and how it was unable to comply due to its no-logs policy.
Private Internet Access (PIA) starts at a very affordable price of $2.11 / month, and all of its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Great for Watching the NFL Kickoff Game on NFL+
CyberGhost VPN has servers optimized to work with sites that stream the kickoff game. These include an NFL+ streaming server in the US that always works with the streaming service (my colleagues in the US confirmed this), a dedicated server for YouTube TV and Hulu, and 3+ streaming-optimized servers for DAZN, including in Germany.
Still, its regular servers work with a lot of other streaming sites, too — my colleague in the UK tested it with Channel 5 and said he could stream it while connected to a local CyberGhost server, so it’s a great pick no matter what subscription you bought for this year’s season.
This provider is especially great for those new to VPNs. Its Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS apps keep the streaming-optimized servers in a separate tab for easier access and all of its major features are accompanied by brief explanations. Additionally, it has a smart DNS tool for watching the primetime game on your smart TV or gaming console.
It has pretty fast connection speeds for streaming the NFL kickoff game. In my speed tests, HD videos loaded in 1–2 seconds, which is quick, and I never encountered any buffering once streams started playing. That said, it wasn’t as fast as ExpressVPN.
You get great security and privacy, too. CyberGhost has an independently audited no-logs policy, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and RAM-only servers. Finally, it publishes regular transparency reports, just like Private Internet Access.
CyberGhost VPN starts at a low cost of $2.03 / month. Its monthly plans only come with a 14-day money-back guarantee, but its annual plans come with a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Watching the NFL Kickoff Game in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN for Watching the NFL Kickoff Game Online in 2024
- Get a VPN that has excellent streaming support. All of the VPNs on my list work with major streaming platforms that broadcast the NFL kickoff game — my colleagues in other countries, including the US, where the game is streamed confirmed this.
- Find a VPN with a large server network. A large server network means that you’ll have an easier time finding a nearby local server to connect to for the best possible speeds and will be able to avoid overcrowded servers.
- Pick a VPN with fast speeds. All VPNs will reduce your connection speeds to some extent due to the encryption process, but top VPNs are fast enough to let you watch the game in HD without buffering. In my tests, ExpressVPN was the fastest.
- Check for device compatibility. Make sure the VPN you choose has easy-to-use apps for the device(s) you intend to watch the Chiefs and Lions face off in the regular season debut. Additionally, if you plan on watching the game on your smart TV or gaming console, ensure that the VPN is compatible with your router model or has a smart DNS tool.
- Go for a VPN with strong privacy and security features. The VPNs on my list come with all the industry-standard security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, which makes your data unreadable to third parties, a strict no-logs policy, meaning the provider doesn’t keep logs of your online activities, and a kill switch, which shuts down your internet connection if your VPN connection drops to avoid accidental data leaks.
- Choose a VPN that provides good overall value. I only recommend VPNs with reasonably-priced plans, accept multiple payment methods, allow at least 7 simultaneous device connections, and back their plans with at least a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to Watch the NFL Kickoff Game on Any Device
How to Watch the NFL Kickoff Game on Your PC or Mac Device
- Get a good VPN for streaming. I recommend ExpressVPN — it has a great Windows and Mac app and is compatible with most streaming platforms that broadcast the NFL kickoff game.
- Install the VPN app on your device(s). The on-screen instructions provided by the installation wizard will guide you through the process.
- Connect to a local VPN server. And you’re all set! You can now stream the game more securely.
How to Watch the NFL Kickoff Game on Your Smartphone or Tablet
- Pick a VPN with good Android and iOS apps. ExpressVPN has feature-rich and intuitive mobile apps. You won’t need more than a couple of seconds to find and connect to any server.
- Set up the VPN on your device(s). Just follow the installation wizard’s instructions. This should only take 2–3 minutes.
- Connect to a local VPN server. That’s it! You’re ready to watch the defending champs face the Lions, who are contenders to win the NFC North Division.
How to Watch the NFL Kickoff Game on Your Smart TV
- Find a VPN with smart TV apps and router support. My top pick is ExpressVPN — it’s compatible with Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and more, and it has a user-friendly smart DNS tool.
- On Android TVs: Get the VPN app from the Google Play Store, then open the app and connect to a local VPN server.
- On non-Android-TVs: Set up the smart DNS tool. ExpressVPN has excellent setup guides on its website.
- Open your streaming app. You can now watch the game on the big screen.
How to Watch the NFL Kickoff Game on Amazon Fire Stick
- Look for a VPN with an Amazon Fire Stick app. I’m a big fan of ExpressVPN’s Amazon Fire Stick app, as it’s very easy to use.
- Get the VPN app. Download and install the app from the Amazon App Store.
- Connect to a local server. That’s it! Enjoy the game.
How to Watch the NFL Kickoff Game on Your Gaming Console
- Get a VPN that supports your router. Find the list of compatible routers on your VPN provider’s website. ExpressVPN is compatible with most major routers, has a dedicated router app, and provides easy-to-follow setup instructions for all compatible routers on its website.
- Set up the VPN. Simply follow the instructions on the provider’s website. This usually takes about 5–10 minutes.
- Start streaming! You can now watch league MVP Patrick Mahomes on your Xbox and Playstation devices.
What Streaming Services Show the NFL Kickoff Game?
This year’s NFL kickoff game is set to take place on September 7.
While it’s theoretically possible to use a VPN to watch the NFL kickoff game from a different location, this may constitute a copyright infringement and is against most platforms’ Terms of Service. The VPNs listed here follow strict no-logs policies and don’t view or log your online activities. It’s up to you to use VPNs responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the NFL kickoff game?
The NFL kickoff game is available on these streaming services: YouTube TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, Hulu+Live TV, NFL+, and Peacock in the US, ProSieben Maxx in Germany, Channel 5 in the UK, and DAZN for international viewers.
How can I watch the NFL kickoff game live internationally?
To watch the regular season debut live internationally, you’ll need an NFL Game Pass, which is available on DAZN in 200+ countries. This excludes fans in the US who can watch the game with an NFL+ subscription.
However, even if you have an NFL Game Pass, you’ll need to be in the same location where you created your DAZN account to be able to access it. For example, if you bought your NFL Game Pass in Germany, you’ll need to be in Germany to access your account and watch the NFL kickoff game.
To stream NFL games securely, I recommend ExpressVPN — it works with all streaming sites where you can watch them and it has the fastest speeds out there.
What’s the best VPN for streaming the NFL kickoff game?
My top pick is ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest VPN on the market and works with all major NFL streaming services. Plus, it has servers in 105 countries across the world, so you’ll always be able to find a nearby server and get the fastest possible speeds, and it comes with easy-to-use apps for all major platforms, allowing you to watch the Kansas City Chiefs open their Super Bowl title defense against the Lions on any device.
Can I watch the NFL kickoff game with a free VPN?
I don’t recommend using free VPNs to watch the game. They rarely work with popular sports streaming services and a lot of them have slow speeds, which means you’ll have to watch in low quality and/or endure constant buffering. Plus, many of them offer a very limited number of server locations, have restrictive data caps, and lack essential privacy and security features. Some free VPNs even collect user data and sell it to third parties. If price is a major concern, consider checking out Private Internet Access — it’s one of the most affordable VPNs out there.
