How to Easily Watch ESPN in Canada
Want to watch ESPN in Canada but are bummed out you simply can’t access its content? We know how frustrating it can be given how many decent sports ESPN’s programming features.
Well, don’t worry - we’ll show you exactly what you need to do to bypass any restrictions that stand in your way!
Why Is ESPN So Popular?
ESPN is one of the most popular sports channels in the US. Their online platform offers a diverse, amazing selection of sports in HD, and the subscription is pretty cheap. Plus, subscribers get access to insider ESPN content free of charge too.
And while you do have ESPN Classic in Canada, it’s just not the same thing since it mostly covers Canadian sports like curling, hockey, and Canadian football, so you won’t get your fix of American sports.
Why Can’t You Watch ESPN in Canada?
Normally, to watch ESPN’s content you will need a subscription, which can be a bit hard to get if you’re not from the US, so that’s one obstacle in your way.
Still, let’s say you go across the border on a quick vacation to set up a subscription, or maybe you’re a US citizen with an ESPN subscription who moved or commutes to Canada, or is there on vacation. In that case, you won’t be able to watch ESPN content because the platform uses geo-restrictions.
If you’re not familiar with them, they are a way of blocking user access to a website or a website’s content based on their geographical location.
Why Does ESPN Enforce Geo-Restrictions?
It mostly has to do with content licensing and copyright regulations. ESPN basically just buys the rights to broadcast content in the US. Since licensing rights can sometimes reach millions if not billions of dollars, it’s understandable why ESPN doesn’t go ahead and buy rights to broadcast content in every country.
Besides that, since there are broadcasters in Canada who already bought the rights to broadcast the same content across Canada which ESPN shows. Whether they choose to go ahead with the broadcasts or not is entirely up to them, but ESPN has to restrict access to their content from viewers from Canada to comply with those regulations.
Overall, while all that corporate and network bickering makes sense from the companies’ perspectives, it’s really not fair for you, the viewer.
How to Watch ESPN in Canada Hassle-Free
Obviously, you need to find a way to hide your geo-location when you’re on the Internet so that ESPN’s platform doesn’t realize you’re connecting to it from Canada.
It sounds difficult, yes, but it really isn’t that complicated. In fact, you have 2 options at your disposal to watch ESPN in Canada:
1. Use a Smart DNS
A Smart DNS is a service that replaces your ISP-assigned DNS address which contains data that can be linked to your geo-location with a different DNS address that points to a location in the US. If you’re not sure what a DNS address is, it stands for Domain Name System, and it translates website names into IPs, and the other way around.
Besides that, a Smart DNS will also intercept your connection request to ESPN’s website, and replace any information found within it that can reveal your geo-location with data that is linked to a location in the US. You don’t notice that process, of course, since it’s instantaneous.
2. Use a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that can help you access geo-blocked content by hiding your real IP address (which contains information that reveals your geo-location).
Basically, you connect to a VPN server from the US, and your IP gets switched with the server’s IP address. As a result, it will seem like you’re accessing ESPN’s content from the US, not Canada.
Though, you should consider this - VPNs normally use strong encryption to secure your Internet connections and online traffic. Sometimes, the encryption might slow down your connections a bit, causing slower speeds and buffering. Just remember that’s not likely to happen 100% of the time.
Which Option Works Best?
Well, it all depends on your preferences. We recommend trying out both services to see which one offers you the best experience. Still, as a general recommendation, here’s what you should keep in mind:
- A VPN is more suitable if you want to secure your online connections and protect your Internet privacy on top of being able to access geo-restricted content, and if you don’t mind the possibility of your speeds taking a minor hit.
- A Smart DNS is a better option if online speeds matter a lot to you, and you’re only interested in unblocking geo-restricted content and nothing else since it uses no encryption and lets you enjoy your original ISP speeds.
Watch ESPN in Canada With SmartyDNS Like a Pro!
We offer a high-end Smart DNS service that can help you bypass any geo-restrictions in your way. It comes with unlimited bandwidth, attractive pricing, and access to 19 other US sports platforms besides ESPN.
And if you ever get bored of just US sports content, you’ll be able to enjoy over 280 other unblocked websites from the US and countries like:
- The UK
- Australia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Poland
- France
Oh, and we also offer a VPN service too if you’d like to try it out. It features strong encryption, high-speed servers, a no-log policy, and DNS leak protection.
How to Watch ESPN in Canada with SmartyDNS
- Register a SmartyDNS account.
- Next, automatically install our service using our user-friendly apps, or check out our helpful tutorials if you want to set up the Smart DNS manually on other devices.
- Enjoying being able to watch ESPN in Canada without having to worry about any annoying regulations.
What Devices Can You Watch ESPN on?
We did our best to make sure you get to enjoy ESPN on multiple devices at the same time. Right now, SmartyDNS works on:
Windows
macOS
iOS
Android
Android TV
Apple TV
Amazon
Fire TV
Roku
Check Out Our Free Trial If You’re Still Unconvinced
We know spending money can come with a bit of stress and pressure, so we want to take care of that for you. You can try out our free 3-day trial first to see if SmartyDNS can offer you everything you need. Yes, the trial covers both our Smart DNS and VPN services.
Plus, even after you become a user, we’ll still have your back with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Conclusion
ESPN content is available only in the US, so you wouldn’t normally be able to enjoy it in Canada because geo-blocks prevent you from doing so.
Luckily, you don’t have to settle for the sub-par ESPN Classic in Canada since you can just use a Smart DNS or a VPN to bypass any geo-restrictions that stand in your way, and start watching ESPN in Canada with ease.
