How to watch a Super Bowl live stream without cable

How to watch a Super Bowl live stream without cable
(Image credit: Getty)

We’re just days away from Super Bowl LV, the biggest event in the football calendar and we’re here to help you figure out where to stream Super Bowl LV for the best results. If you’ve got cable TV, you’re likely going to watch it on there but for many people streaming is the best way to watch the big game.

If you’re living in the USA then the process of watching the Super Bowl is straightforward enough - just find the network it’s being broadcasted on and login to the online streaming app for that network (It’s CBS this year, so you want CBS All Access). You’ll need to pay for a subscription, but CBS All Access does have a one week free trial if you haven’t already signed up.

If you’re not currently in America then the best way to watch the Super Bowl without cable is undoubtedly using a VPN like ExpressVPN, which will let you watch the game no matter where you are in the world. A VPN lets you encrypt and bounce your signal off servers anywhere in the world, making websites you’re visiting think that you’re in a different country - very handy when you need to access streaming websites that are only available in the US (or other countries, which we’ll get to).

Fortunately, watching the Super Bowl without cable access is relatively easy and cheap (or even free). You just need to login to the appropriate streaming service and while some cost money in subscription fees, others are available for free if you use a VPN. Some other countries like the UK actually have free access to the Super Bowl via the BBC, and you can get in on that action with any of the best VPN services too.

What VPN providers should you use?

Not all VPNs are created equal, and if you want to do more research, check our guide to the best VPN services of 2021. They often have different features, pay-scales, and levels of security. Our favorite is Express VPN as it offers a great all round experience for a competitive price. If you’re looking to watch the Super Bowl without cable, then Express is very much the one to go for, and you’ll probably stick with it long after the final play of the Super Bowl this year. Here are our top three options below, along with the best pricing plans right now.

Where is Super Bowl 2021 showing? 

US - CBS will be broadcasting the Super Bowl live in the US, via cable. You can also stream online via CBS All Access if you have a subscription to this service. If you’re outside the US and want to log into your account, then you’ll need to use your VPN to simulate your local area. 

You can also access via Hulu with Live TV, and you can access this service with a subscription. It’s $54.99 per month and includes Fox, CBS, ESPN and NBC. If you sign up now, you get a free one-month trial. FuboTV has it too, and that’s $55 for the first month - not a cheap option.

Canada - As is tradition, the place to watch Super Bowl in Canada in 2021 is CTV / TSN. There is an On The Go app for those who are away from their home cable, so if you have a subscription you can simply log-in here.

UK - The Super Bowl 2021 will be shown on the BBC for free. You can watch live on TV, or via the BBC iPlayer. If you happen to be in a different country, because you’re on holiday for example, then you can use a VPN to access the BBC from wherever you are and continue to watch the game for free. Very handy.

Australia - Want to watch Super Bowl 2021 down under, without cable? You can access it via Channel 7, which is free, so just tune in when you’re ready. Again, if you’re outside the country and want that Aussie commentary, use a VPN to dial in and watch it for free wherever you are in the world.

How to use a VPN to access a TV service 

Now if you don’t have access to any of the above options and would like to watch the Super Bowl, then you can still watch the biggest game of the year with the help of a VPN. Follow the handy step-by-step guide below to get set up:

1. Download a VPN

The first thing you’re going to need is download and install a VPN. See our advice above on choosing the best option available.

If you’re lost and don't know what a VPN is, we've got a great will answers the burning questions - what is a VPN and why do you need one? The short version is that a VPN lets you access the internet as if you were in a different location. So if you’re on holiday in France and want to watch the Super Bowl, you can use a VPN to access a US server. VPNs can be used on most devices including laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

2. Connect to a UK-based server

This might seem like an odd choice but stick with us. Once you’ve installed your VPN and signed up for an account, open the VPN app and find the option that lets you choose a location. Choose a UK location. Why the UK you ask? Because the BBC is broadcasting the Super Bowl in the UK and crucially, the BBC doesn’t run adverts, so you can watch the entire show uninterrupted. 

3. Access TVPlayer.com

Now that your VPN is online and telling the world you’re based in the UK, you can access TVPlayer.com. This is a free (and entirely legal) streaming website which covers hundreds of channels. Find the BBC from the selection and you’re good to go. Just sit back and enjoy the greatest spectacle in the sporting calendar.

All you need to know about Super Bowl 2021

Super Bowl 2021 will see the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be the Chiefs second consecutive Super Bowl and their third time they’ve made it to the big showdown overall. As for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this is only their second appearance in the Super Bowl, though they did win their only prior appearance, beating the Oakland Raiders back at Super Bowl 37 back in 2003.

Super Bowl 2021 takes place on Sunday, Feb 7, 2021. Kick-off is set for 6:30 pm ET. It will be coming to you live from the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This will be the third time that the Super Bowl has been hosted at the stadium (the others were in 2001 & 2009).

Getting tickets to the Super Bowl

Nothing beats the atmosphere of a live football game and the Super Bowl is the biggest game of the year, so it’s understandable that watching it via TV or streaming might not be good enough for you. Sadly, the ongoing pandemic has meant that there is a reduced capacity for the event, with fewer than 25000 fans being allowed into the stadium. If you're desperate to see it live, then we have good news and bad news.

The good news is that we have reviewed and rated a whole host of websites to find the best sport ticket sites. All of the major sport ticket sites still have Super Bowl tickets on sale, so it's not too late.

The bad news is that no matter where you look for tickets, you’re going to struggle to find anything much under $4000. SeatGeek, our top-rated sport ticket seller is offering seats that start at $4050, with their most expensive regular tickets reaching an eye-watering $56,788 each (and you'll pay $70,988 for Hall of Fame Club seats). Maybe it’s better to just stream the show and buy a new car with that money instead?

Ian Stokes

Ian Stokes is the Tech Editor here at Top Ten Reviews. He has extensive experience in tech and games journalism, with work published on IGN, Kotaku UK, Waypoint, GamesRadar, Trusted Reviews, and many more. You'll find him covering everything from smartphones and home computers to 3D printers and headphones. He's also our resident cocktail expert.