Bally Sports Blackouts and VPNs: Why It Happens and What Actually Helps
Bally Sports regional networks are now FanDuel Sports Network in many markets. Learn how blackouts are decided, why VPNs are a poor fix and the legitimate options.
The short answer
- 1.Blackouts are decided by your home market and your device location, not by which app you open.
- 2.Many Bally Sports regional networks have been rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network, so check the current app and rights holder for your team.
- 3.Changing your apparent location with a VPN breaks most providers' terms and is easily detected, so we don't recommend it as a plan.
Why you're blacked out
Regional sports networks sell exclusive rights in a defined territory. The app checks where you are using your IP address, GPS on phones and, for live TV services, your registered home area. If the game belongs to a network you can't get, or the rights are held by someone else, you see a blackout.
Legitimate ways to get the game
- →Check which network holds your team's local rights this season and whether it's offered direct-to-consumer in your market.
- →Look for the game on a national broadcast (ESPN, ABC, TNT, Prime Video, Apple TV and similar) which is not subject to the regional blackout.
- →Use the league's out-of-market package for games outside your home area, remembering it blacks out your own local teams by design.
- →Local over-the-air antenna for games on broadcast TV.
What about a VPN?
If you're a subscriber who's travelling and the app is blocking you because it can't confirm your home area, contact the provider's support. Many have a process for verifying your location again.
Questions people also ask
+Is using a VPN for sports illegal?
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. Streaming services' terms of use can still prohibit using it to change your location.
+Why am I blacked out in my own home?
Because you live in the market that holds the exclusive rights. Blackouts apply to local viewers, not to people far away.
Provider features, prices and streaming compatibility change often. We don't run lab benchmarks; confirm details on the provider's own site before buying. Read our responsible-use stance.
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