How to Watch the British Open Live From Anywhere in 2024

Unfortunately, The Open Championship live stream isn’t available everywhere. NOW TV will air the tournament in the UK, while YouTube TV and Peacock are the best ways to watch it online in the US.

It’s possible to stream the British Open in HD from anywhere using a VPN. A VPN encrypts your traffic and masks your real IP address, enabling it to bypass geo-restrictions. It also keeps your activity private, so no one, not even your ISP, can see what you do online and throttle your streaming speed.

My team and I tested 49 VPNs and found ExpressVPN to be the most reliable for watching The Open uninterrupted. Its fast server network worldwide enables streaming without buffering and it's compatible with the most popular operating systems. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN without risk. 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 British Open in 2024

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 the British Open Live Online (UK & US)

Peacock, YouTube TV, and NOW TV are some of the best platforms to catch all rounds of The Open Championship live online. Regardless of your preferred platform, you can sign up and start streaming the British Open within minutes. To secure your online activities while streaming without compromising speed, be sure to first connect to a reliable VPN.

How to Watch the British Open in the US

NBC is the exclusive rightsholder to broadcast the British Open throughout the US. That makes its official streaming service, Peacock TV, the best place to watch the British Open from the States. USA Network will air some events, but NBC and Peacock will air every match.

1. Download a VPN

Choose a VPN with multiple US server locations to prevent slowdowns due to overcrowding. With over 24 US server locations and fast, reliable connections, ExpressVPN is my #1 recommendation for securely streaming The Open by providing a reliable US IP address.

Type "US" into the search bar and click the power button to connect

2. Sign Up for Peacock TV

Visit the Peacock TV website to create an account. You may see different subscriptions depending on whether Peacock is running any special offers. Click the Pick a plan button if you want to see all its membership options. Only premium VPNs work with Peacock due to its tough geoblocking technology.

Look out for the frequent deals and promotions Peacock TV offers

3. Choose a Plan

Peacock TV offers two base plans: Premium Monthly and Premium Annual. You can also watch a very limited selection of golf content for free, but this doesn’t include the British Open. Choosing the Premium Plus option will remove most ads, but some will remain due to streaming rights, particularly on its live channels.

Although Peacock doesn’t currently offer a free trial, you can cancel anytime

4. Fill In Your Details

Provide the details needed to create your account. Peacock will also ask you to enter a valid US zip code. To pay for your account, you can use either a credit card or PayPal.

If you have an promo code, click the "Have a promo code?" link to add it now

5. Login and Start Streaming

Once you’re logged in, navigate to Sports and go to the Golf section to find The British Open. You can also go to Channels and browse through all of the live programming. Peacock also offers content from past British Open events.

Peacock offers a range of live and on-demand golf content year-round

How to Watch the British Open in the UK

NOW TV is one of the only streaming platforms that allow you to subscribe for a 1-day pass. If you only need to catch the 4th and final round of The Open on Sunday, it’s the best and most affordable option with no commitments.

1. Connect to a UK Server

You need a UK IP to sign up to and watch NOW TV. A VPN can give you a UK IP and secure your connection so that you can stream the British Open safely and without any interruptions.

2. Go to the NOW TV Website

Visit NOW TV in your web browser and click Sports in the top navigation menu.

Look out for any of NOW TV's frequent discounts or free addons

3. Choose a Package

NOW TV offers three Sky Sports membership plans. Unfortunately, these Sky Sports packages don’t come with free trials, unlike NOW TV’s regular entertainment addons.

Only the monthly and 6-month options include "Bonus Streams" with extra content for some events

4. Create an Account

NOW TV requires some basic personal details and a valid UK address to sign up. You can pay for your subscription using either a credit card or PayPal.

You'll need to provide a valid UK postcode and address

5. Start Streaming the British Open

Log into your NOW TV account and click on Sport in the main menu. Find the Sky Sports section, and then look for the Sky Sports Golf channel. If The Open is live, you can now watch it safely while connected to a VPN. Take note that if you signed up for the 1-day package, your subscription will only remain active for 24 hours from when you first start streaming.

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 British Open Online?

The British Open is available on many different streaming services around the world. However, availability changes from year to year as new licensing agreements are made. Check this table to find the best streaming option for the Open Championship in 2024:

The Best VPNs to Watch the British Open in 2024

Setting up a VPN to watch the British Open securely is easy if you choose the right one. The shortlisted VPNs offer reliable and fast servers across the globe to stream the entire tournament from anywhere without buffering. Plus, they’ve consistently proven to work with popular streaming services and bypass network restrictions.

1. ExpressVPN — Fast Speeds to Stream The Open Championship Uninterrupted From Anywhere

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Tested November 2024

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol moves data faster, providing excellent speeds for streaming the British Open in crystal-clear quality. This makes it possible to watch live golf matches from anywhere without buffering, even on mobile phones. We lost just 2% of our 238.33Mbps baseline speed while testing ExpressVPN’s nearby servers. You only need 25Mbps to stream in UHD.

With its MediaStreamer Smart DNS, you can watch the British Open on devices not usually compatible with VPNs, like older smart TVs or Roku. Following the step-by-step guides on its website, I connected it to my PlayStation in less than 5 minutes. However, it only works with US and UK content and doesn’t encrypt your connection. You can also configure ExpressVPN on your router and get similar results but with online protection.

The only drawback is that plans are pricier than the other VPNs on this list. However, ExpressVPN regularly offers great deals to help you save. I got 82% off my long-term subscription plus 3 extra months of service for free. All plans also have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Easily Watch the British Open

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers reliably work with platforms airing The British Open. So, it's possible to securely access Peacock, ESPN, and more from anywhere. Expand the app and click For streaming to find a list of servers dedicated to streaming. During our tests, we found the YouTube TV server in seconds simply by typing it into the search bar. Speeds were nearly as fast as ExpressVPN, with only a 3% drop.

On the downside, its short-term plans only offer a 14-day refund period. However, with its money-back guarantee, you can use CyberGhost free for 45 days when you sign up for a long-term plan. I tested the refund policy by canceling my subscription via 24/7 live chat. I received confirmation 24 hours later, and the money was back in my PayPal wallet within 4 days.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Unlimited Connections to Watch the British Open On All Your Devices

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

With PIA, your entire household can stream conflicting sports matches simultaneously, as there's no limit on the number of devices you can connect. We didn't experience delays streaming live golf on R&A TV, even with 6 devices connected to PIA. The VPN also has servers in over 91 countries, making it possible to watch the British Open from anywhere in HD.

A small con is that the VPN could be more straightforward to navigate. However, the settings come pre-configured; simply connect to a server and start streaming. It's also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try PIA before committing.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Watching the British Open

Fast and reliable connections are crucial for uninterrupted live streaming of the British Open. While all the VPNs listed are capable of HD streaming, my global team of testers also made sure that these VPNs work with all the most popular golf streaming services, like Peacock and NOW TV. The VPNs also provide military-grade encryption to protect your online privacy and user-friendly apps for a range of devices, including smart TVs.

The 2024 Open Championship Schedule

The 2024 British Open is scheduled for 15 to 21 July 2024. On Tuesday and Wednesday, live broadcasts will show players participating in various practice rounds with Pro-am events or special exhibitions. The full 2024 British Open tournament schedule is as follows:

FAQs on Watching the Open Championship With a VPN

Is it possible to watch the British Open online for free?

When you sign up for a new YouTube TV account, you can use the service for free for 5 days. However, YouTube TV is a US-exclusive service and only works with an American IP address. VPNs with worldwide servers make it possible to watch the British Open from anywhere in HD.

Several other streaming platforms offer a free trial as well, including FuboTV, Foxtel Now, and Kayo Sports. The free trials range between 3 and 10 days. Since the British Open is only 4 days long, there are options that provide more than enough time to watch all rounds within the free trial period.

Can I use a free VPN to watch the British Open?

Maybe, but it’s not advisable. Free VPNs tend to restrict server locations, so they probably won’t work with your preferred sports streaming service. A premium VPN with a money-back guarantee and global network is a more reliable alternative for watching the British Open.

Also, free VPNs limit speed and bandwidth, so you might experience buffering. But even more concerning is the lack of security features and a reliable privacy policy. Many free VPNs keep detailed logs of their users, which they sell to third parties.

Can I watch the British Open on my smart TV or Roku?

Yes, as long as your streaming service supports it. If you want to stream the British Open securely, the shortlisted VPNs are also compatible with most smart TVs and streaming devices. Most newer smart TVs support native VPN apps. For those that don’t work with VPNs, like older TVs and Roku, you can configure a VPN on your router by following these steps:

1. Make sure your router supports a VPN. Check your model’s manual and your VPN’s documentation to ensure they’re mutually compatible.
2. Configure the VPN router. Follow the steps on your VPN vendor’s website — usually only takes a while, and doing it wrong could damage your router. Some VPNs, like ExpressVPN, offer dedicated router firmware requiring minimal configuration.
3. Connect to a VPN server. The nearer the server is to your real location, the faster the connection can be.
4. Watch the British Open. All your WiFi-connected devices will now use the VPN connection. Launch your preferred British Open streaming app on your smart TV, and enjoy watching securely without any interruptions.

Is using a VPN to watch the British Open Golf legal?

Yes, as long as you’re not using it to break any laws. In most countries, like the US and the UK, VPNs are legal tools to safeguard your online activity and minimize interruptions caused by ISP throttling. There are also a few countries, like Russia and Iran, where VPN use is restricted. So, be sure to familairise yourself with the lws in your country before using a VPN.

How to watch the British Open on R&A.tv?

R&A.tv is the new streaming service launched by The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the organizer of The Open Championship. As the official streaming service for The Open, it offers live TV streams of past British Open content and will also live stream the full 2024 event. Currently, it's free to use and available globally. Connecting to a nearby VPN server will allow you to stream R&A.tv securely in HD uninterrupted.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching the British Open 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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