How to Watch the MLB Playoffs Live Without Cable in 2026

• Written by Ashleigh Naidoo Cybersecurity & Tech Writer

I was disappointed to learn that the MLB playoffs only air on national TV in the US and Canada . So, you can’t catch up on these intense matches from another country.

If you’re already in the US or Canada, you should still use a VPN to secure yourself while streaming the MLB playoffs. Otherwise, you could leak your IP address online, and hackers might spy on whatever you’re doing. I consider ExpressVPN the best choice for airtight online safety , and you can even try ExpressVPN risk-free. There’s a 30*-day money-back guarantee, so you can ask for a full refund if you’re unsatisfied. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.

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Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Safely Watch the MLB Playoffs

1. Get a VPN. You should get ExpressVPN because it offers the best protection without compromising speeds.
2. Connect to a server. Navigate the server browser and connect to a server in the US or Canada, depending on where you live.
3. Stream safely. Securely access your preferred streaming platform with an encrypted connection and start streaming.

How a VPN Keeps You Safe while streaming the MLB Playoffs

A VPN keeps you safe and anonymous online with various security features. First off, the top VPNs offer AES 256-bit encryption to protect your connection, which is an unbreakable encryption standard. Plus, they have no-logs policies to ensure your activity isn’t tracked. VPNs also use features like leak protection to ensure your identifying information isn’t leaked online.

All the best VPNs offer solid protection, but ExpressVPN is the best choice . It has AES 256-bit encryption, a strict no-logs policy, leak protection, a kill switch, and more for guaranteed online safety.

The Best VPNs for Safely Watching the UEFA Euro in 2026

1.ExpressVPN — The Top Choice for Safely Watching the Playoffs Without Buffering

Key Features:

• Has a vast network of 3,000+ worldwide servers
• Delivers online safety via AES 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and other features
• Maintains superfast connection speeds without compromising security
• Connect up to 14 devices at once
• 24/7 customer service via live chat and email
• 30*-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN has blazing-fast speeds, making it a perfect choice for watching MLB playoffs in UHD. When I tested it, ExpressVPN consistently maintained speeds over 300Mbps — fast enough to support buffer-free HD streams, which is critical for a live game.

Even though ExpressVPN has servers in 20+ US cities, the app helps you choose the best available servers based on your location . When my colleague in the US tested it, ExpressVPN recommended New York, Washington, New Jersey, and LA. They all helped them safely access their Hulu + Live TV account without issues.

My colleague also tested ExpressVPN with YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and MLB.TV (the native MLB streaming service). ExpressVPN let them safely access all these services and enjoy lag-free UHD streams without buffering or pixelation.

Of course, you’ll remain completely safe and anonymous while using ExpressVPN . The app offers AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, leak protection, a kill switch, and more to guarantee online protection.

Although it is a bit more expensive than other providers, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. All offers have a “no questions asked” 30*-day money-back guarantee, so it’s easy to get a refund if you’re unsatisfied. I tested the policy by contacting an agent through the 24-hour live chat, and she approved my refund within a few minutes. My account was credited with the full amount 4 days later.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.

2.CyberGhost — Offers Optimized Servers for Secure and Lag-Free Streams

Key Features:

• Offers 11,690+ worldwide servers, including 1300+ US servers
• Includes optimized servers that provide fast speeds while maintaining protection
• Up to 7 simultaneous connections
• Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Roku, Nintendo Switch, and more
• Customer support is available via 24/7 live chat, email, and online ticketing system
• 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost has specialized streaming servers for YouTube TV, Hulu, and Sling TV , which carry the MLB playoffs. These servers are constantly tested and upgraded to ensure you can safely access your streaming deals and enjoy buffer-free viewing in the highest resolution. When my colleague in the US tried these servers with MLB broadcasters, their streams were UHD and never buffered.

When I tested its non-optimized US servers, I was impressed that there wasn’t much of a difference in speed or performance. I randomly tried servers in Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, and Seattle, and they all provided good connection speeds. Streams may take a while to start, but you’ll have no interruptions once they start playing.

Of course, CyberGhost ensures you remain completely safe while streaming . It has military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to safeguard your traffic. Plus, there’s a no-logs policy, a kill switch, and leak protection to ensure you always remain anonymous.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.

3.Private Internet Access — A Massive Server Network for Safe and Uninterrupted Live MLB Streams

Key Features:

• Has a massive worldwide network of 29,650+ servers
• Uses AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and more for security
• Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
• Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and more
• 24/7 customer support available via live chat
• 30-day money-back guarantee

PIA’s 29,650+ servers make it easy to find an uncrowded server that doesn’t cause slowdowns or interruptions. So, you won’t experience any mid-stream lag or pixelated video at critical moments in the game.

As I expected, I never had issues with choppy livestreams when I tested PIA. But, on some of the most distant servers, I experienced speed drops up to 82%. However, with servers spread across all 5o states, you can prevent this speed loss by only connecting to servers closest to your actual location .

When my colleague in the US tested PIA’s US-based servers, they quickly accessed DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV , but Hulu only worked on the East Coast streaming server.

A malware blocker called PIA MACE protects your privacy while you watch games by blocking trackers and data mining bots. PIA’s integrated ad blocker also makes your streams faster and more reliable since these bots build up in the background and slow down your connection.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.

4.NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Offers

Key Features:

• Short and long-term offers available
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• 8918+ global servers in 178 countries
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Protect up to 10 devices at once

I was particularly impressed with the high performance of every server I tested. Just because a VPN has thousands of servers doesn’t mean they all work. Servers can still struggle to work — and some can even fail to connect completely. However, NordVPN’s servers work with Netflix for smooth, buffer-free streaming .

I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it mostly worked with Netflix, it sometimes had issues and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost .

NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:

• AES 256-bit encryption
• kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly
• built-in ad and malware blocker , so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker
• fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN

In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server .

It’s easy to find a NordVPN offers that suits your needs . You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days.

NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV

Get NordVPN today

5.Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds

Key Features:

• Short and long-term offers available
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• 4,500+ global servers in 100 countries
• No bandwidth restrictions
• Connect unlimited devices at once

Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market . You can connect an unlimited number of devices, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out.

I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality.

When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:

• AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users
• Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default
• diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)
• kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)
• IP and DNS leak protection

Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account.

While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests . I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet.

You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my offer, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!).

Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers

Get Surfshark today

6.PrivateVPN — Best Budget-Friendly VPN for Safely Watching the Playoffs

Key Features:

• Has a network of 200+ servers across 63 countries
• 10 simultaneous device connections
• Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Mi Box, Android TV, and more
• 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, and remote setup service
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Even with its small network of 200+ global servers and 12 in the US, PrivateVPN delivers excellent speeds — over 67 Mbps on all but one . While it wasn’t comparably fast, you can still watch 4K YouTube videos and livestreams after only a few seconds of buffering.

Besides the speeds, PrivateVPN offers superb protection through AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and other safety features. So, it’s a great choice if you want to remain safe and anonymous online.

I found PrivateVPN’s apps easy to download and set up, but PrivateVPN has comprehensive installation guides on its website if you need any help. I installed the apps on my Android phone, Macbook, and Fire TV Stick and used them for hours without any bugs or crashes. It’s also compatible with Windows, iOS, Linux, and some routers.

You can also use its 30-day money-back guarantee to try PrivateVPN risk-free. After testing it for 2 weeks, I used its 24-hour live chat to cancel my purchase and ask for a refund. The agent asked a few questions and then quickly processed my request. I had the money back 4 working days later.

7.IPVanish — Offers Safe and Fast Connections on All Your Household’s Devices

Key Features:

• Has a network of 3,100+ servers across 109 countries
• Uses AES 256-bit encryption, no-logs policy, and other features for safety
• Protects unlimited devices simultaneously
• Email, chat, and phone support in 6 countries
• 30-day money-back guarantee

With unlimited simultaneous connections, IPVanish will let you safely watch every playoff game — from the Wild Card games to the World Series — on all your devices. This means you can watch on your phone while commuting, on your desktop in your office, and on your TV when you get home (all without having to log out on any device when you switch).

Of its 3,100+ worldwide servers, over 1200 of IPVanish’s servers are in the US. My speed tests showed only a 30-35% slowdown on servers within 8000km of my location , and I only experienced slight speed reductions when I connected on 7 devices at once. Unlike ExpressVPN, which provides excellent simultaneous streaming speeds, my colleague in the US had some issues with pixelated video when streaming 4K videos on multiple devices.

With so many servers, I like that IPVanish automatically picks the best server in your location. All you have to do is select your country and click “Connect,” and IPVanish automatically connects you to the best available server . The first time my colleague tried it, the app connected them to a server in Boston that provided lag-free streams.

Where to Watch the MLB Playoffs in 2026

The 2026 MLB Playoffs will only be broadcast on TBS, ESPN, FS1, FOX, and the MLB Network. If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a deal to one of the following services that carry these channels.

There are some third-party streaming websites you can use to stream the MLB playoffs, but I don’t recommend them. In addition to being unreliable, these sites are usually full of spam, ads, trackers, and malware. To watch the MLB playoffs safely, try :

Sling TV (US)

You can customize your Sling TV package to include all 5 playoff channels. Its Blue + Orange package gives you access to ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS — you’ll need to buy the Sports Extra add-on for $11 more to get MLB Network . You can stream on up to 3 devices at once, and you’ll get 50 hours of DVR storage.

Unfortunately, your Sling TV purchase doesn’t include any RSNs , so you won’t be able to use it to watch any in-market games during the regular season.

YouTube TV (US)

YouTube TV carries all 5 playoff channels, so you can watch every postseason game in one place. You can connect up to 6 devices to your account and will automatically record games played by your favorite teams on unlimited DVR storage. It even has a 14-day free trial.

Your purchase also includes some NBC RSNs and SportsNet NY. This means you can also stream regular-season in-market games for the Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Mets .

DirecTV Stream (US)

With DirecTV Stream’s Choice Deal, you’ll get 90+ live channels, including all 5 playoff channels , for full coverage of the postseason games. Its entry-level deal is slightly cheaper but doesn’t include the MLB Network.

DirecTV Stream also carries the most RSNs of any service on this list — you’ll be able to watch in-market games for every team except the Phillies and Blue Jays during the regular season.

Hulu + Live TV (US)

Hulu carries 4 of 5 MLB playoffs channels (ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS). While you’ll miss out on some of the action on the MLB Network, your purchase includes ESPN+, Disney+, and 70+ live channels.

You’ll also be able to watch regular-season in-market games for the Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets.

Sportsnet/SN Now (Canada)

Viewers in Canada will be able to watch the 2026 MLB Playoffs, all regular-season games, as well as every Toronto Blue Jays game.

RDS Direct (Canada)

In addition to all the playoff games, RDS Direct will also broadcast every regular-season game live.

Where to Watch Regular-Season MLB Games

• MLB.tv — The MLB’s own streaming service will let you watch every out-of-market game during the regular season (there are blackouts in every home team’s territory). You’ll also be able to watch full replays of every in-season game 90 minutes after the live broadcast ends. With a VPN, you can beat the blackouts and use MLB.tv to watch every regular-season game.
• Apple TV+ — Apple TV+ subscribers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and South Korea will have access to Friday Night Baseball during the regular season.
• YouTube — For the 2026 regular season, YouTube will broadcast the MLB Game of the Week for free.
• Peacock Premium — With a Premium deal, you can watch 18 regular-season Sunday Morning Games on Peacock.
• Amazon Prime Video — Sharing broadcast rights with YES Network, Prime Video will broadcast all regular-season in-market Yankees games.

Gift Card Method

1. Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN ’s fast speeds for lag-free MLB streams.
2. Connect to a server in the US. Sling TV and its MLB channels are restricted outside of the US, so that’s where you’ll need to connect.
3. Buy a Sling TV gift card from MyGiftCardSupply. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to create an account and buy a Sling TV gift card for $100.
4. Find the code in your email. The gift card will be sent to your email address. Open it, and copy the code.
5. Create an account. Visit Sling TV’s redeem page, create an account, and pick the Orange & Blue package with the Sports Extras add-on.
6. Redeem the gift card. Paste your gift card code in the last box on the Billing Information page.
7. Start watching the 2026 MLB playoffs from anywhere!

Credit Card Method

1. Download a VPN. ExpressVPN reliably unblocks Sling TV and is the fastest VPN for streaming the MLB playoffs from anywhere.
2. Connect to a US server. Since Sling TV’s MLB coverage is only available in the US, that’s where you need to connect.
3. Visit the Sling TV website and start your deal. Choose the Orange & Blue deal with the Sports Extras add-on.
4. Complete the registration and pick a payment method. You’ll need a US address and payment method to create an account. If you don’t have a US PayPal account or credit card, use the gift card method to sign up.
5. Enjoy watching the 2026 MLB Playoffs on Sling TV.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.

Yes! You can use a VPN to watch the MLB games on US-based streaming services or stream the games on local services.

In Canada, you can watch the 2026 MLB playoffs and regular-season games live on Sportsnet (SN Now) and RDS Direct. If you have a fuboTV or DAZN account, you can watch the National League Division Series on MLB Network.

Aussie MLB fans need to tune in to ESPN to watch every regular-season game , MLB Strike Zone, the Home Run Derby, the All-Star Game, all playoff games, and the World Series. ESPN is available via Kayo and Foxtel.

Yes, you can stream the MLB games on all 3 platforms , but not all of them will broadcast the 2026 playoffs. For instance, ESPN will only broadcast out-of-market Sunday night games, the Home Run Derby, and the Little League Classic. The Wild Card series is the only postseason broadcast on ESPN.

If you don’t have cable, you can use the free trial of a service like YouTube TV or Apple TV+ to watch some of the MLB playoffs for free . Just combine one of their free trials with the money-back guarantee of a VPN from this list which gives you plenty of time to watch baseball and claim a full refund.

Alternatively, you can also watch some MLB games on non-cable channels like ABC, Fox, and NBC.

If you have a Roku, smart TV, or another device that doesn’t support VPN apps, you can download a VPN directly to your WiFi router. This will let you use the VPN on all the devices in your WiFi network, including media players, gaming consoles, and smart TVs.

A VPN can do a lot more than just access the MLB playoffs . The best providers can also:

• Hide your location from hackers , so they can’t figure out who you are or how to access your data.
• Block ads and malware with automatic filters that prevent malicious URLs from opening on your devices and speed up streaming performance.
• Torrent files securely and anonymously using P2P software. If you decide to download torrents, be aware that it’s against the law to share files you don’t own all copyrights to. This applies even if you own the movie, show, or downloaded software. I don’t condone any form of illegal activity.

No, despite a few good choices, I wouldn’t rely on a free VPN to keep you safe. Free VPNs have various problems, with the biggest being that a free VPN provider might sell your data to advertisers and third parties, which would compromise your privacy.

Also, even the top free VPNs have limits on data, speeds, and servers that make it impossible to watch all the games. Some free providers will spam you with annoying ads that could cut off your video right in the middle of a home run. Others are outright scams or malware that steal your information to sell to the highest bidder.

Always use a reliable premium VPN to ensure you get the best possible security without compromising speeds. There are several reliable VPNs available, but ExpressVPN is the best overall option.

Safely Watch the MLB Playoffs Today

In conclusion, you need a VPN to protect yourself before streaming the MLB playoffs or doing anything else online. Otherwise, you risk leaking identifying information like your IP address. Also, hackers can easily spy on your activity if your connection isn’t encrypted.

All the above VPNs provide excellent security with military-grade encryption and features like kill switches. Plus, they maintain fast connection speeds to ensure you can enjoy lag-free UHD streams.

While all the above choices are effective, ExpressVPN stands out as the best overall option . It uses unbreakable AES 256-bit encryption and has leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy to keep you safe. You can also try ExpressVPN risk-free . There’s a 30*-day money-back guarantee that lets you get a full refund if you’re unsatisfied with the app’s performance.

*Please note that ExpressVPN’s generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.

Summary — These Are the Best VPNs to Watch the MLB Playoffs in 2026

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: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.