The NRL season is kicking off with a bang, promising another year of hard-hitting action, thrilling rivalries, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re cheering for your team from home or following the games while living or traveling abroad, there are plenty of ways to stream every match live—if you know where to look.
This guide breaks down all the best ways to watch the NRL online, including a free option. It also tells you how you can stream easily and securely from anywhere with CyberGhost VPN.
Quick Guide: How to Watch the NRL with a VPN
Bypass network blocks and watch all the games wherever you are with the best NRL VPN. Just follow these 3 easy steps:
- Download CyberGhost VPN, and install it on your streaming device.
- Connect to a server in a location where NRL matches are available to stream. For example, viewers in Australia can connect to our streaming-optimized servers for 9Now.
- Stream weekly games, the State of Origin series, and the Grand Final!
Where to Watch NRL for Free Online
9Now
-
- Country: Australia
- Available Games: Up to four live NRL games per week, the State of Origin series, and the NRL Grand Final
You can watch NRL live for free on 9Now in Australia. In addition to live games, the platform provides on-demand content such as full match replays, mini-matches, and highlights, allowing fans to catch up at their convenience. There’s also a lot of NRL-related content, including on-demand shows and series, docuseries, and podcasts.Â
9Now is restricted outside Australia, but if you’re traveling abroad, you can use an NRL VPN to keep watching. CyberGhost VPN has streaming-optimized servers for 9Now which allow you to access the platform like normal.
How to Watch NRL Live on a Phone
In Australia, you can stream the NRL on the 9Now app, which gives you free access to 4 live games each week, the State of the Origin series, and the Grand Final. In most other countries, the Watch NRL app is probably your best choice, but you can keep reading to find out which other apps are streaming NRL in your country.
If the network at your school or workplace blocks streaming sites, download the CyberGhost VPN app for Android or iOS. Our strong VPN encryption stops your network from detecting your activity. This lets you retain access to streaming apps and services on any network.Â
How to Watch NRL Overseas
Watch NRL
-
- Countries: Most countries
- Available Games: All NRL matches
Watch NRL is the official home of the NRL and is available in most countries outside Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. You can stream matches on the platform’s website or via its iOS and Android apps. A subscription to Watch NRL also includes FOX League, which streams NRL content 24/7.
How to Watch NRL in the UK
NOW
-
- Channel: Sky Sports
- Available Games: Three NRL matches per week, State of Origin series, Finals, Grand Final
Fans in the UK can stream the NRL on Sky Sports channels via NOW. You can choose to pay monthly or biannually, or you can buy a 1-day sports pass if you just want to watch a particular game. You need a UK billing address to sign up, and you can pay by debit/credit card or PayPal.
How to Watch NRL Online in the USA
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo
-
- Channel: Fox Sports
- Available Games: Three NRL matches per week, State of Origin series, Finals, Grand Final
Fox Sports streams NRL matches in the US. You can access the channel with a subscription to FOX, YouTube TV, fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV (Blue plan).
Does your otherwise-fast connection seem to slow down when you start streaming? Your internet provider may be to blame. When it detects streaming activity, it might throttle your connection to save resources, leaving you with buffering and poor picture quality. CyberGhost VPN hides your activity from your ISP so you can watch without interference.
How to Stream NRL in Canada
Sportsnet Now
-
- Available Games: Three NRL matches per week, State of Origin series, Finals, Grand Final
In Canada, you can watch NRL matches with a Sportsnet Premium plan. You need a Canadian postal code to sign up, and you can pay using a Canadian credit or debit card, PayPal, or Sportsnet gift card. Alternatively, you can log in using your TV provider account.Â
How to Watch NRL in France
beIN SPORTS
-
- Available Games: Three NRL matches per week, State of Origin series, Finals, Grand Final
beIN SPORTS is the home of the NRL in France. You can stream with a cable plan that includes the platform or subscribe to beIN Sports Connect. For the latter, you’ll need to provide a mobile number in France and pay using a local credit card.
How to Stream NRL in the Netherlands
ESPN
-
- Available Games: Three NRL matches per week, State of Origin series, Finals, Grand Final
ESPN Netherlands gives you access to select NRL games including the Grand Final. The channel is available via ESPN’s Netherlands-only streaming service ESPN Watch and Ziggo Go.
Don’t let streaming blocks on the Wi-Fi at your office or dorm stop you watching a game. Get CyberGhost VPN – it encrypts your internet traffic so your network can’t detect your connection to NRL streams, allowing you to bypass blocks with ease.
Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for Watching NRL Live Streams
When it comes to streaming live rugby, CyberGhost is the #1 VPN for watching NRL. With a global network spanning 100 countries, it’s easy to find a server where you need one. Our streaming-optimized servers give you secure access to platforms like 9Now, YouTube TV, and NOW, making it easy to catch hit-ups, line breaks, and game-winning tries on most platforms.
CyberGhost’s ultra-fast network includes 10-Gbps servers in key locations, ensuring smooth, high-quality streams – and no frustrating buffering when the match is on the line. With apps for major devices, including Android TV, TV box systems, computers, and mobile devices, you can watch wherever you are. You can even configure CyberGhost on your router to use with devices that aren’t compatible with VPN apps. Setup is a breeze, but if you need help choosing the best server, our customer support team is available 24/7.
Try CyberGhost VPN completely risk-free with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
About the 2025 NRL Season
The 2025 NRL season is shaping up to be another thrilling year, with teams battling for supremacy and fans eager to see if the Penrith Panthers can secure a historic fifth consecutive title. While the Panthers remain the team to beat, challengers like the Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos, and South Sydney Rabbitohs are all looking strong with deep rosters and key offseason acquisitions.Â
Several star players are expected to make a major impact this year. Nathan Cleary continues to lead the Panthers with his elite playmaking, while Cameron Munster is set to drive the Storm’s title ambitions. Reece Walsh is one of the most exciting fullbacks in the game, giving the Broncos an edge in attack. Meanwhile, the return of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui from injury will boost the Titans’ forward pack. With a stacked lineup of talent across the league, the 2025 season promises electrifying clashes and unexpected twists, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
When Is the State of Origin?
The State of Origin is an annual best-of-three rugby league series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons, showcasing one of the sport’s most intense rivalries. In 2024, the New South Wales Blues clinched the series 2-1, marking their first series-deciding win in Queensland since 2005.Â
The 2025 State of Origin series is scheduled as followsÂ
-
- Game 1: Wednesday, May 28, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.Â
- Game 2: Wednesday, June 18, at Optus Stadium in Perth.Â
- Game 3: Wednesday, July 9, at Accor Stadium in Sydney.Â
Each match is a highlight of the rugby league calendar, drawing massive crowds and nationwide attention.
When are the NRL Finals and Grand Final?
The NRL Finals Series determines the season’s champion, culminating in the prestigious NRL Grand Final. The 2025 NRL Finals are set to begin on Friday, September 12, leading up to the Grand Final on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Accor Stadium in Sydney.Â
FAQ
The Watch NRL app is available in most countries, excluding Australia, New Zealand, and some Pacific Island countries. European options include NOW in the UK, beIN Sports in France, and ESPN in the Netherlands. In the US, you can watch on Fox Sports (available to stream on YouTube TV, fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV).
Download CyberGhost VPN on your streaming device and connect to one of our streaming-optimized servers. For example, in Australia, you can connect to our 9Now AU server to watch the NRL live stream for free. If you’re traveling abroad, you can connect to the same server location to access your usual streaming account as if you never left home.
Sport1 in Germany carries three NRL matches per week, plus every match of the Final Series and State of the Origin. Another option is to get the Watch NRL app, which gives you access to every match live and on demand.
You can watch the NRL in the US on Fox Sports, which is available on FOX, YouTube TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu+Live TV, and Sling TV. Fox Sports is showing three NRL matches per week, as well as the State of Origin Series, the Finals, and the Grand Final.
That depends on your location. If you’re in Australia, the 9Now app lets you stream NRL matches for free. In most other countries, the league’s official streaming app Watch NRL is showing every match. Both apps are available for Android and iOS devices.
The official NRL channel on YouTube shows free highlights shows, replays, roundups, interviews, ladder predictions, and other NRL content, but it doesn’t have any live coverage of the matches.
Can I use a VPN to watch sports from a different country?
Some sports fans may connect to a VPN server in a country where certain sports events are available in order to watch from a different country. While we don’t snoop on our users’ online activity, this is against our terms of service and is not acceptable.
Rest assured that CyberGhost VPN never logs your browsing data and your activity is always private, but you should always comply with all relevant terms and applicable law, including copyright.
Leave a comment