If you’re anything like me a die-hard EFL Championship fan who also happens to travel a lot you know how frustrating it is to miss a match just because you’re outside the UK. Whether you’re following Leeds, Sunderland, or that underdog club pushing for promotion, being abroad shouldn’t mean missing out.

That’s why I decided to dive headfirst into the world of VPNs virtual private networks. I tested, compared, and analyzed them based on streaming speed, server locations, security, and ease of use. If you want to stream the EFL Championship abroad without geo-restrictions, here’s everything you need to know.

Why You Need a VPN to Watch the EFL Championship Abroad

Most official streams of the EFL Championship—like Sky Sports, NOW TV, or iFollow are geo-blocked outside the UK. That means if you’re in the U.S., Europe, or Asia, you’ll often see this message: “This content is not available in your location.”

With a VPN, you can mask your IP address and connect through a UK server. That tricks streaming platforms into thinking you’re watching from within the country—giving you full access to every match.

What I Looked for in a VPN for EFL Championship Streaming

Before we get to the list, here’s the criteria I personally used while testing:

• Speed: No one wants buffering during a crucial match.

• UK Servers: The more UK-based servers, the better.

• Streaming Compatibility: Must work with Sky Go, NOW TV, and iFollow.

• Ease of Use: I needed a clean, simple UI—no tech degree required.

• Price & Free Trials: Bonus points for free trials or money-back guarantees.

My Top 5 VPNs for Streaming the EFL Championship Abroad

 1. Express VPN – Best Overall for EFL Streaming

My Experience:
Express VPN was the first one I tried—and honestly, it set the bar high. I connected to a UK server in less than 30 seconds, logged into NOW TV, and started streaming a Birmingham City vs. Ipswich Town game. Zero buffering. The video was crisp even at 1080p, and the speed stayed consistent throughout. Why It’s Great:

• 5 UK servers to choose from (London, East London, Wembley, etc.)
• Works flawlessly with Sky Go and NOW TV
• Best-in-class security (AES-256 encryption)
• Super intuitive on both desktop and mobile 
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • price ;From $6.67/month (with 30-day money-back guarantee)
  • Free Trial: No, but has a 30-day refund policy

  Drawbacks:
  It’s a bit more expensive than others, but worth every penny if you’re serious about your streams.

2. NordVPN – Most Reliable with Strong Security

• Rating: ★★★★☆

• Price: From $3.29/month

• Free Trial: Yes (7-day mobile trial) + 30-day money-back guarantee

My Experience:
NordVPN gave me excellent speed and worked perfectly with iFollow. I followed a Blackburn Rovers game while I was in France, and the experience was smooth—even on mobile data. It automatically connected to the fastest UK server.

Why It’s Great:

• Over 440 UK servers!

• SmartPlay tech bypasses geo-blocks automatically

• Works with BBC iPlayer, Sky Sports, iFollow

• Strong focus on privacy

Drawbacks:
Sometimes slower during peak hours, but not enough to ruin the match.

3. Surfshark – Best for Budget Users (and Families)

• Rating: ★★★★☆

• Price: From $2.49/month

• Free Trial: 7-day free trial on Android/iOS

My Experience:
I tested Surfshark while traveling through Spain. It gave me access to Sky Go and iFollow without issues. The speeds weren’t as fast as ExpressVPN, but for the price and unlimited device connections, it’s a steal.

Why It’s Great:

• Unlimited simultaneous connections

• Solid speeds for the price

• Reliable access to most UK streaming services

• Clean, beginner-friendly interface

Drawbacks:
May require switching servers if one gets flagged.

4. CyberGhost – Best for Beginners

• Rating: ★★★★☆

• Price: From $2.19/month

• Free Trial: 24-hour free trial + 45-day money-back guarantee

My Experience:
I love how CyberGhost labels its servers by streaming platform. I just picked the one optimized for NOW TV, and boom—instant access. While streaming a QPR game, I noticed it used a bit more data than others but handled the match well.

Why It’s Great:

• Pre-optimized servers for streaming (NOW TV, BBC, Sky Sports)

• Super simple setup—ideal for non-techies

• Massive 45-day money-back guarantee

Drawbacks:
Fewer manual server options; can feel restrictive to advanced users.

5. Private Internet Access (PIA) – Best for Customization

• Rating: ★★★☆☆

• Price: From $2.03/month

• Free Trial: 30-day money-back guarantee

My Experience:
PIA is for the tweakers and tinkerers. I had to manually configure a few settings to get it working seamlessly with iFollow. Once set up, it worked fine, especially on desktop. Not as user-friendly on mobile, though.

Why It’s Great:

• Tons of server customization options

• Decent streaming access once configured

• One of the cheapest options available

Drawbacks:
Not beginner-friendly; some trial and error required.

How to Stream the EFL Championship Abroad Using a VPN (Step-by-Step)

1. Choose a VPN  I recommend ExpressVPN or NordVPN for ease and reliability.

2. Install the App – Download it on your device (PC, Mac, Android, iOS).

3. Connect to a UK Server – Select a UK-based server like London or Manchester.

4. Log in to a Streaming Platform – Open Sky Go, NOW TV, iFollow, or other official streaming services.

5. Start Watching! – Enjoy the EFL Championship live, without restrictions.

Is Using a VPN for Streaming Legal?

Yes, using a VPN is legal in most countries, including the UK and the U.S. However, bypassing geo-restrictions may go against some streaming platforms’ terms of service. Always read the fine print and use your VPN responsibly.

 Final Thoughts: Best VPNs for EFL Championship Streaming Abroad

If you’re passionate about EFL football and don’t want to miss a single match while traveling or living abroad, a VPN is a must-have tool. Based on my experience:

• ExpressVPN is the best all-around option for seamless streaming.

• NordVPN offers rock-solid reliability with top-tier security.

• Surfshark is great for families or users on a budget.

No more geo-blocks, laggy streams, or missed moments. Just pure, uninterrupted EFL action—no matter where you are in the world.