How To Watch the AFL Live Online From Anywhere in 2025

Can I watch AFL overseas? The 129th season of the Australian Football League is available internationally via the WatchAFL platform but costs $44/month. A few other streaming services also air the event, including BT Sports in the UK and Fox Sports in the US.

A VPN can provide secure access to free AFL streaming platforms from anywhere, like 7plus, since it masks IP addresses and encrypts traffic. This prevents your ISP and anyone else from monitoring your streaming activity or slowing you down.

My team and I tested 45+ VPNs, and ExpressVPN consistently delivered the best performance for streaming AFL online. With many servers worldwide (including several locations in Australia) and fast connections, it's perfect for watching live matches and replays. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN without risk thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Watching the AFL in 2025

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

How To Watch AFL Games for Free From Anywhere — 2025 Season

Can I watch AFL for free? Every match of the 129th AFL season airs for free on 7plus, which is set to lead as the top free-to-air streaming platform this year (Mumbrella)¹. 7plus viewership rose by 44% during the 2024 Grand Final compared to 2023 (SportsPro)². Services like Kayo Sports and WatchAFL also offer full AFL coverage but aren't free.

A VPN with fast servers worldwide can provide uninterrupted access to AFL matches from anywhere. Follow the steps below to watch players clash in hard-hitting tackles, chase down fast-moving balls, and execute precise kicks to outsmart their opponents.

1. Download and Install a VPN

Choose a VPN with servers worldwide for reliable AFL streaming from anywhere. Because it's consistently the fastest VPN we test, I recommend ExpressVPN for watching football matches live online. It's also compatible with all major devices, including smart TVs. You can also easily set up ExpressVPN on a compatible router and use it to securely stream on any WiFi-connected device, even those that don't support VPNs, like PlayStation.

Installing ExpressVPN on your device takes less than 5 minutes

2. Connect to a Server

Open your VPN app and select a nearby server for the best streaming speeds. For example, connecting to the closest New Zealand server lets you safely watch AFL games live online on Sky Sport Now. An Australian IP address is needed to securely access 7plus and watch every AFL match for free.

You can even set up an in-app shortcut to 7plus and other broadcasters

3. Create an Account

7plus provides free AFL streaming with a simple registration process. The free platform offers live streaming and on-demand content, including AFL women's matches and the Grand Final. However, it's ad-supported.

Kayo Sports is an excellent paid alternative that avoids missing any action due to ads. It also provides extra features like multi-view and interactive statistics. You can take advantage of its 7-day free trial to test it first.

7plus requires basic information like email and date of birth for registration

4. Stream AFL Matches Live Online

You can now securely watch AFL matchups, highlights, and commentary in great quality. Remember to keep your VPN connected while streaming to prevent quality drops or buffering.

The same connections supported uninterrupted streaming on Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Where Can I Watch the AFL Online?

Several streaming platforms offer full or partial AFL coverage, with availability and pricing varying by region. While Australian viewers have access to both free and paid options, international viewers typically need specialized services or streaming subscriptions.

For free highlights, recaps, and exclusive interviews with AFL players and coaches, the official AFL YouTube channel is a great go-to.

Best VPNs To Watch the AFL From Anywhere in 2025

The best VPNs for streaming provide reliable access to AFL broadcasts from anywhere. We tested the VPNs below and confirmed that they deliver fast speeds for 4K streaming while protecting you from ISP throttling and third-party snooping. They also work seamlessly with popular devices, including smart TVs and gaming consoles.

1.ExpressVPN — Excellent Speeds to Stream AFL Live Without Buffering

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested February 2025

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol maintains consistent speeds for smooth AFL streaming from anywhere, even at peak viewing times like the Grand Final. We averaged 182.81Mbps testing servers in Sydney and Melbourne. 4K requires 25Mbps. This performance allowed us to watch multiple HD-quality AFL matches without any buffering or quality drops.

The MediaStreamer feature makes watching AFL games on any device easy, including older smart TVs and gaming consoles that don't support VPNs directly. This smart DNS feature enables HD access to US, UK, and Australian content without encryption. ExpressVPN also has native Android and Apple TV apps for secure one-click connections to online sports platforms.

While slightly pricier at $4.99/month, The VPN offers discounts up to 61% on longer plans. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free for streaming AFL matches using its 30-day money-back guarantee. When I tested the refund policy by canceling via 24/7 live chat, the support team processed my request within minutes. I got my money after 3 working days.

2. CyberGhost — Intuitive Interface to Stream AFL Online in Just a Few Clicks

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost provides user-friendly apps that simplify safe streaming of AFL from anywhere. Every app we tried was straightforward to navigate and required minimal setup, making CyberGhost ideal for VPN beginners. There are also some servers optimized for reliable streaming, like Fox. Even though our speed was a bit slower than ExpressVPN, we watched football on 7plus without interruption, testing servers in Australia.

I was a bit disappointed that the monthly subscription is so costly and has a short refund window. However, long-term plans start at just $2.19/month and come with an extended 45-day money-back guarantee. This gives you plenty of time to test CyberGhost’s performance with various AFL streaming platforms risk-free.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Large Server Network to Reliably Stream AFL Anywhere

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA offers a huge number of servers in locations where the AFL is broadcast, including Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, and more. So, if one doesn't work (a rare occurrence), you can quickly switch to another nearby. In our tests, we connected to 15 servers across the network, and they all let us watch AFL highlights in HD. PIA also offers location-specific streaming servers, like those in Australia and the UK.

The abundance of customization options makes its apps less beginner-friendly. However, default settings work well for secure online streaming without buffering from anywhere. All plans are also backed by a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Watching AFL

We prioritized testing VPN performance with the streaming services that broadcast AFL games, like 7plus. This included evaluating connection speeds, streaming quality, and reliability across the network. We also measured connection stability during peak viewing times, particularly during live matches, to prevent buffering or quality drops.

2025 AFL Schedule

The 129th season of AFL runs from March to September, with matches primarily scheduled around Australian time zones. Understanding the schedule is key to catching every moment of the action.

Key AFL Viewing Tips

• Primetime matches typically start at 7:20 PM AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
• Saturday afternoon games usually begin at 1:45 PM AEST
• Sunday matches are scheduled between 1:10 PM and 4:40 PM AEST
• Public holiday games often feature special time slots

FAQs on Watching the AFL Live

Can I watch AFL in the US?

US viewers can watch AFL matches on Fox Sports. The official WatchAFL platform also provides comprehensive coverage but comes at a premium price point. With a VPN, it's possible to safely stream AFL matches for free from anywhere.

Is there an app to watch the AFL?

The official AFL app brings live scores and match updates, while the WatchAFL app serves international viewers with subscription-based streaming. For viewers in Australia, AFL streaming platforms like the 7plus and Kayo Sports apps offer extensive match coverage. Both apps support Chromecast and AirPlay, making it easy to watch matches on larger screens.

Is it legal to use a VPN to watch AFL?

VPNs are legal in most places as legitimate tools for online privacy protection. Streaming the AFL with a quality VPN is usually no issue. However, some countries—like China, Iraq, Russia, Iran, and Oman—have restricted or banned VPN use.

Can I use a free VPN to watch AFL online?

Free VPNs typically struggle with streaming AFL content due to limited server options and slow connection speeds. Many free services also raise privacy concerns, as they may collect and sell user data to offset operational costs. A premium VPN provides more reliable access to AFL streams. Though they require an initial investment, most have a money-back guarantee, and their performance make them worth considering for regular AFL viewing.

Will a VPN slow my connection when streaming AFL games?

A quality VPN typically causes minimal speed reduction, usually less than 20% on nearby servers. Premium providers like ExpressVPN regularly optimize their networks to minimize encryption slowdowns, making it possible to stream in HD or 4K, even during live AFL matches. Connecting to the closest server also helps maximize speed.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching AFL from anywhere...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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References

1. https://mumbrella.com.au/7plus-will-leapfrog-nine-abc-to-become-the-dominant-free-to-air-streaming-platform-next-year-sevens-bold-plan-for-2025-856329?utm_source=chatgpt.com/
2. https://www.sportspro.com/news/afl-2024-grand-final-brisbane-lions-sydney-swans-seven-tv-viewership/?utm_source=chatgpt.com/