If you’re an American overseas, the main legitimate way to watch NFL games, including the Thanksgiving slate on Thursday, November 26, 2026, is NFL Game Pass International on DAZN, which the NFL directs international viewers to in most countries outside the US. NFL+ is the league’s US service and, per NFL support, is available in the United States only. A VPN can protect your connection on hotel or rental Wi-Fi and help you reach accounts back home while you travel, but streaming services set their own rules on VPN use and location, so check each service’s terms before relying on one.
- Outside the US, the NFL directs fans to NFL Game Pass on DAZN, subject to local availability. The DAZN partnership is described as global with China as the notable exception.
- NFL+ is US-only and not available in US territories. Its live local and primetime games are limited to phones and tablets.
- A VPN helps with security on travel Wi-Fi and with reaching home services. It doesn’t override a service’s terms, and many services restrict VPN use.
- Plan for time zones. Thanksgiving and Sunday games can land late at night or early morning abroad.
Your legitimate options, as of the 2026 season
| Service | Where it’s meant to be used | What it covers (per official sources) |
|---|---|---|
| NFL Game Pass International (on DAZN) | Outside the US, subject to local availability. The DAZN deal is described as global except China. | Regular-season and postseason games, including the Super Bowl, for international subscribers |
| NFL+ | United States only, not US territories | Live local and primetime games on phones and tablets, live game audio, and NFL Network in the US. NFL+ Premium adds replays, All-22 film and NFL RedZone. |
| Local broadcasters abroad | Varies by country | Some countries have local TV partners or free-to-air games. Check the NFL’s “Ways to Watch” page for your country. |
| Your US TV or streaming subscriptions | Depends on each service’s terms | Some US services limit or block viewing outside the US, so check before you travel. |
Package names, prices and game coverage vary by country and can change during the season. Confirm on NFL.com and the DAZN site for your country, and see the NFL’s guide to which NFL plan is right for you.
Note: We don’t list Game Pass prices or blackout specifics here. They depend on your country and can change. Check the DAZN checkout in the country where you live.
What a VPN can help with (and what it can’t)
Where a VPN is genuinely useful
- Security on travel Wi-Fi. Hotels, rentals, airports and cafés are untrusted networks. A VPN encrypts everything between your device and the VPN server.
- Reaching home accounts while traveling. Banks, email and some US sites may block or challenge overseas logins. Connecting to a US server can make those accounts behave more normally while you’re away.
- Privacy on someone else’s network. The network owner sees a VPN connection, not every site you visit.
- Working around poor routing. Occasionally a VPN route is more stable than your local network’s default route, though it usually adds some latency.
What a VPN doesn’t change
- A service’s terms. Many streaming services restrict use outside their licensed regions or restrict VPN and proxy use. Using a VPN may break their terms, and services can detect and block VPN traffic.
- Payment region. Subscriptions are typically tied to your billing country and payment method, not just your IP.
- Broadcast rights. Which games are shown where is set by licensing deals, not by your connection.
Watch out: We don’t recommend using a VPN to break a service’s terms or local law. The sensible approach is to use the service licensed where you are (usually Game Pass on DAZN abroad), and use a VPN for security and for reaching accounts you already pay for, where that service’s terms allow it.
For more on how streaming services treat VPNs, see best VPN for streaming and best VPN deals for streaming abroad 2026.
Payment and region problems to expect
Americans abroad often run into these:
- A US card on a foreign storefront. DAZN pricing and payment options are set by country. A US card usually works but may add foreign transaction fees.
- App store region. Your phone’s app store account may need to match a region where the app is listed. Changing app store regions can affect existing subscriptions, so check before switching.
- Region checks at login. Some services check your location when you sign in or start a stream, not just when you subscribe.
- Short trips vs living abroad. If you live overseas, subscribing in your country of residence is the cleanest setup. For a short trip, check whether your existing services allow travel use.
If you’re living abroad long term, our best-value VPNs for expats guide looks at what’s worth paying for.
Getting a smooth stream: latency and setup tips
- Test before kickoff. Log in, start a stream and check the quality an hour early, not at kickoff.
- Use a wired connection if your TV, laptop or streaming stick supports Ethernet (sometimes through an adapter). Rental Wi-Fi is often the weak point.
- If you use a VPN, choose a nearby server unless you have a specific reason not to. Distance adds latency and can lower stream quality.
- Use a modern protocol. Most major VPNs offer WireGuard or their own fast protocol. It’s usually the quickest option.
- Close other heavy traffic such as cloud backups and big downloads during the game.
- Have a backup. A phone hotspot or the NFL app’s live audio can save the game if the main stream fails.
Watching on a TV? See best VPN for smart TVs and VPN deals for Fire TV Stick for device setup.
Time-zone planning for Thanksgiving and Sundays
US game times are set for American audiences, usually listed in Eastern Time. Abroad, that can mean evening games in Europe and overnight or early-morning games across Asia and Australia.
- Convert kickoff times to your local time using the official schedule, and remember the US switches back from daylight saving time on November 1, 2026. If your country changes its clocks on a different date, or doesn’t change them at all, the time difference you’re used to may have shifted by an hour.
- Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026, a normal working day in most countries. Plan around work, or watch replays later if your package includes them.
- Avoid spoilers if you’re watching on delay. Mute score alerts in your sports and news apps.
- Check your package for replays. Replay availability differs between Game Pass and NFL+ Premium, so confirm what yours includes.
Frequently asked questions
How can I watch NFL games outside the US legally?
Use NFL Game Pass International on DAZN, which the NFL points international fans to, subject to local availability, or a local broadcaster in your country. Check the NFL’s “Ways to Watch” information for your location.
Does NFL+ work outside the United States?
According to NFL support, NFL+ is available in the United States only and not in US territories. International users are directed to DAZN.
Can I use a VPN to watch NFL games abroad?
A VPN can secure your connection and help you reach accounts back home, but streaming services set their own rules on VPN use and location. Check each service’s terms, and don’t use a VPN to break them or local law.
Is NFL Game Pass available in every country?
No. The DAZN partnership is described as global with China as the notable exception, and availability is still subject to local rights. Check the DAZN site for your country.
Why is my NFL stream lagging abroad?
Usually it’s the local Wi-Fi. Try a wired connection, a closer VPN server or no VPN, close other downloads, and test before kickoff.
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