Want to watch college football without cable? There are plenty of streaming options available to catch all your favorite teams across every conference and division.
For the bests all-around college football coverage, you really can’t beat:
- Hulu + Live TV: They’ve got all the major channels that carry college games, like ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPNU, ESPNews, ACC Network, CBS and CBS Sports, Big Ten Network, FS1, and SEC Network.
- Sling TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, FS1, FS2, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network.
- Fubo: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS, CBS Sports, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network.
No matter where you are in the world, you can catch all of the gridiron action of home-grown American college football online by following these quick steps:
- Create an account with NordVPN. With live sports streaming, its reliable, speedy connections always get the job done for us.
- Download and install the software onto the device you’ll use to watch.
- Connect to a server in the U.S. to unblock the best college football streams.
- Go to a site that streams college football games, like Hulu + Live TV.
- Go to a stream and enjoy watching your favorite teams compete!
College football fans have come to the right place. We’ve broken down the ways you can live stream all the football you can handle, the best college football streaming platforms, and how to take advantage of free trials so you can watch your favorite games at no cost, no matter your location.
College football season brings one thing to mind for most fans: football watch parties with friends and family. From buffalo wings and a big screen to tailgating outside the stadium, watching college football is a whole vibe. And that’s even before we hit the college bowl games — though we know some of you are excited about next year’s 12-team playoff setup.
But what if you’re traveling away from your hometown or live outside of your favorite team’s state — or even outside of the U.S. altogether? How do you catch all of the gridiron action from your favorite football teams?
If you’re looking for details on the 2023-2024 college football season or how to watch college football without cable, you’re in the right place. We’ll show you how to bypass content restrictions with a VPN and watch the 2023/2024 college football season from anywhere in the world!
How to Watch College Football for Free From Anywhere
With so many conferences and different college teams to follow, you need a streaming platform with as many college football channels as you can get. Fortunately, one of those is Fubo, which offers new users a free seven-day trial.
So, short of digging through potentially unsecured and unauthenticated free sports streaming sites, this is one of the best ways to watch college football online for free. If you’re in the United States, you won’t have any issues — you can just sign up for Fubo and head for the endzone.
But if you’ve found your way to our expert guide on how to watch college football from anywhere, you may need a little help using a VPN.
Step-by-step guide: How to watch college football free from anywhere
If you want to watch American college football free streams from anywhere else, you’ll need a VPN to change your IP address and access an online stream. With the 2023/2024 season already underway, move fast if you don’t want to miss a game.
Follow the steps below to start streaming college football with a VPN this Saturday:
- Find the right VPN for your college football streaming needs. We recommend NordVPN because it’s fast enough to stream without buffering and has no data limitations. You’ll be able to watch as many games you want.
NordVPNOur choiceDeal Save big with 69% off a two-year subscription + three months free!From$ 2.999.3- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
- Get your subscription, create your account, and download the NordVPN software.
- Open the NordVPN app and sign into the account you just created.
- Choose a VPN server in the US. Try to pick the closest server to you geographically for the best speed results!
- Open any college football streaming service. To catch that free seven-day trial, go for Fubo. But we’ve listed some other options below.
- Grab your favorite snacks and beverages, start the stream, and enjoy the game!
Where to Watch College Football for Free (in the USA)
Free trials and free sports sites aside, to watch American college football for free in the US, the easiest option is to get a digital antenna. Major media companies like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX — all of which carry college football games — still have those over-the-air broadcast signals you can hook into.
You plug these kinds of antennas directly into your TV’s HDMI or can set them up on Smart TVs, so you can still pick up your local feeds and catch any games that are being broadcast. They also work with Amazon Firestick and even old-school television sets.
We like the Gesobyte HD digital TV antenna — our tests with this antenna and American college football streams worked perfectly.
Where to Watch College Football Online
A digital antenna is a fine solution to stream NCAA football and local market games but to get more complete coverage, you’ll need a subscription to a paid service. College football games are available on these sites.
| Channel | Includes |
|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPNU, ESPNews, ACC Network, CBS and CBS Sports, Big Ten Network, FS1, and SEC Network. |
| Sling TV | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2, ACC Network, NBC Sports, SEC Network, SEC Network+, Pac-12 Networks, and ESPN U |
| Fubo | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS, CBS Sports, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network. |
| Paramount+ | CBS Sports Network, Big Ten Network, and SEC Network |
| ESPN+ | More than 500 exclusive FBS games, including SEC, Big 12, American, ACC, CUSA, MAC and Sun Belt, and some FCS schools |
| YouTube TV | Big Ten Network, CBS Sports, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, FOX College Sports add-on, SEC Network |
| Peacock TV | NBC Sports coverage, all Notre Dame Games |
How to Watch College Football On Sling TV
SlingTV is a great choice if you want to watch American programming without cable. They stream big college football US TV channels like ESPN, ESPN 3 (ABC simulcasts), and FOX and NBC in local markets. To watch college football online on Sling TV you’ll have to:
- Get a VPN. We recommend NordVPN thanks to its lightning-fast connection speeds, perfect for streaming live sports.
- Create and account and download and install the VPN application.
- Connect to a server in the US. The NordVPN app will automatically connect you to the fastest server.
- Go to Sling TV and sign up for an account. Make sure you use a US card to pay for your subscription. SlingTV won’t let you sign up without one. If you don’t have a US payment method, you can try to use gift cards. A SlingTV Orange subscription plan should cover your college football needs for $40 a month, though they usually offer sign-up promotions for new customers.
- Open SlingTV before a game and tune into one of the sports channels streaming the upcoming game.
How to Watch College Football on ESPN+
Of course, college football fans will know all about ESPN. But did you know it has its own streaming platform? Like Sling TV, ESPN+ doesn’t require a US cable subscription, and you can use it to watch plenty of college football online. Here’s what you need to do:
- Subscribe to a VPN service. NordVPN is always a smart pick.
- Download and install the VPN app.
- Connect to a US VPN server.
- Open ESPN+ and sign up for an account. You can get ESPN+ on its own for $9.99/month, or in a package with Disney+ and Hulu for $13.99/month. ESPN+ only works with a US payment method.
- Open ESPN+ whenever an NCAA game or even some FCS games are scheduled to start. You can even download the ESPN app on your phone or TV. Just make sure any device you use it on is also connected to the VPN server.
- Enjoy the game!
You may be able to watch live college football games for free on ESPN’s site. Just browse the streams and pick one without the “ESPN+” logo in the bottom-right corner. Those games will be free to stream, so you only need a VPN connection to a US server to watch the game. But unfortunately, these matchups are not usually the exciting clashes everyone wants to tune into.
How to Watch Live College Football Games on Hulu + Live TV
Hulu Live TV features a ton of American channels that stream NCAA college football games. From ABC and the ACC Network to FOX Sports, you can tune into a lot of US channels with a Hulu + Live TV subscription. Here’s how to do that, even if you’re not in the US:
- Get a VPN subscription. NordVPN is what we use to stream college football from Bangkok to Brussels.
- Download and install the VPN app on your PC or mobile device.
- Connect to a server in the US. If you use NordVPN, you just need to pick the country, and you’ll automatically be connected to the fastest server.
- Sign up for a Hulu + Live TV account. At the time of writing, you can get a Hulu Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ bundle subscription for $69.99/month. Just remember that you’ll need a US payment method to sign up.
- Open Hulu Live TV when your game is scheduled to begin.
- Tune into one of the sports channels that streams that day’s games. ABC, CBS Sports, the ACC Network, and FOX are all great picks.
- Hit the fifty-yard line!
How to Watch College Football on YouTube TV
YouTube TV is one of the best picks if you want the complete US cable experience, but online. It’s a bit more expensive than our other entries, but it’s worth it. With YouTube TV, you can watch channels like Fox, ESPN, CBS, and ABC. Here’s how to do it even if you don’t live in the US:
- Get a trusty VPN. NordVPN is a great option for accessing YouTube TV.
- Download and install NordVPN (or the VPN app you chose) on your computer.
- Connect to NordVPN’s US server.
- Create a new YouTube account. This might work with your existing account, especially if you created it in the US. But to be 100% safe that this works, we recommend creating a new account.
- Subscribe to YouTube TV. You’ll need a US card, and it’ll cost you $72.99 a month. The platform, however, usually runs an extensive free trial and limited-time promos. So you can see if it’s up to snuff.
- Open YouTube TV when a game is about to start.
- Tune into a sports channel carrying your matchup.
- Enjoy the game!
How to Watch College Football on Fubo
FuboTV was created with sports fans in mind, so they’ve pretty much got college football covered. They offer hundreds of channels across various packages and tiers. If you want a comprehensive US cable experience online, you can give it a try — they usually run a free seven-day trial. Here’s how to access FuboTV from anywhere:
- Subscribe to a VPN provider. NordVPN pairs excellently with American streaming services like Fubo.
- Download and install the VPN application on whatever device you want to use to stream NCAA college football games or other division games.
- Connect to a server in the US. NordVPN will automatically connect you to the fastest server. If you use other VPNs, pick the US server that’s closest to your location.
- Create a Fubo account. You need a US payment method, and subscriptions start at $74.99/month. But again, you can nab their free seven-day trial.
- Tune into Fubo whenever you want to watch a college football game.
- Enjoy the matchup!
How to Stream College Football on Paramount Plus
Paramount+ brings together the biggest games from SEC and the Big Ten, with a host of other college football streams. While the SEC Network channel isn’t available, this platform offers SEC football games live from CBS every Saturday. They’ll also have seven Big Ten scheduled games from the 2023 season — including the SEC championship. Here’s how you can tune in:
- Get a VPN. NordVPN can unblock Paramount+ from outside the US!
- Download and install NordVPN onto your preferred streaming device.
- Connect to a server in the US. NordVPN will choose the best option, which should be a VPN server close to you.
- Create a Paramount+ account. You’ll need a US payment method, with subscriptions starting at $5.99 monthly.
- Tune into Paramount+ for scheduled NCAA games and enjoy!
The Best VPN to Watch College Football Online
If you want to watch your favorite college football team beat their rivals outside of the US or Canada, you’ll need a fast VPN with the right servers. When choosing a VPN provider for streaming college football online, it’s important to choose one with servers in the regions where the games are broadcast. You’ll also need a VPN provider with fast, reliable connections to ensure you never miss a single play. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself blocked by geo-restrictions or missing pivotal moments due to buffering.
Lastly, when choosing a VPN to watch college football online, choose a provider with a user-friendly installation and interface. That way, you don’t spend hours on installation or connecting to the right servers and end up missing the big game. Based on these criteria, we’ve chosen a few great options below to watch NCAA college football and other divisions from anywhere.
1. NordVPN: Best overall for streaming college football
NordVPN is one of our top 5 VPN providers because of its speed and ability to circumnavigate geo-restrictions. It’s got loads of American servers — over 1,970 — to choose from in locations across the country. Each provides a fast and reliable connection, even at a distance, though finding one closest to your real location won’t be an issue. Even if you’re as far away as Japan, a Los Angeles-based server would get the job done for HD sports streaming.
Why we recommend NordVPN for American college football:
- 1,970+ U.S. servers, 480+ in Canada
- Unblocks Sling TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and other platforms
- Lag-free, buffer-free American college football streams
- Ranks as our most secure VPN
NordVPN offers the perfect blend of everything we look for in a VPN – affordability, robust security, speed, and reliability. We recommend it to anyone who needs a US VPN server to watch college football with no fuss. The software’s simple, gets you connected quickly, and is extremely reliable in our experience testing the service.
You can find out more about NordVPN and our in-depth speed tests by reading our full NordVPN review. Remember, NordVPN lets you try the service effectively for free with its 30-day money-back guarantee!
2. Surfshark: Fast, low-cost way to watch college football on multiple devices
Surfshark is another touchdown for college football fans. It’s a fast VPN with enough US servers to stream college football across numerous US states. It works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux, so you’ll be able to access any live TV streaming service from any device. Crucially, it supports unlimited connections — get your whole family or your football buddies hooked up on their devices, too!
Features:
- 600+ U.S. servers, 120+ in Canada
- Unblocks streaming platforms for college football
- Now one of the fastest services on the market
We recommend Surfshark to anyone looking to watch college football while saving a little money. Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs you can get without sacrificing on quality. The unlimited simultaneous connections means that the people you share with won’t have to get a separate subscription too.
If you’re still on the fence, Surfshark offers a free trial in the form of a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also look at all of Surfshark’s features and the results of our speed test circuit in our full Surfshark review.
3. Private Internet Access: College football streaming from any US state
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the best US VPNs for sports like the NFL and college football. With servers in every US state, PIA can unblock any college football stream. No other VPN has the same US server coverage. And yet, PIA still rivals providers like NordVPN on speed, stability, and security features.
Features:
- VPN servers in every US state
- Unblocks geo-restricted content with ease
- Fast and reliable connections for streaming college football
We recommend PIA to football fans who like to watch every stream going. If you’re an NFL fan, you might be struggling with NFL blackouts. Or, maybe you just hate missing a game when you’re traveling. With PIA’s US server coverage, that need never be a problem. Unblock any college football stream or NFL game from anywhere in the world with PIA!
Our full review of Private Internet Access found it to be an excellent alternative to the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark! And like those providers, you can get a 30-day money-back promise if you don’t gel with the service.
Why Should You Use a VPN to Stream College Football Games?
VPNs are a must-have to stream college football from anywhere. If you travel for work or go on vacation, you’ll be blocked by the major college football streams. If you don’t live in the US at all, you’ll face the same geographical restrictions.
Content is often blocked because of broadcasting rights. This is why you can’t watch Sky Sports UK outside the UK or use 9Now to stream soccer outside of Australia.
But a VPN is the best way to get around these restrictions. Simply change your IP address, and you can stream American college football from anywhere in the world! And since VPNs also hide your location and encrypt your data, you’ll be much safer online at the same time, plus governments and businesses cannot track you.
College Football Playoffs 2023-24
The 2023/2024 College Football season started on Saturday, August 26. Playoffs roll into 2024, with the season ending when the top teams compete in the New Year.
The 2023 College Football Playoff is scheduled to start with the semi-final bowl games on January 1, 2024, ending a week later with the National Championship game on January 8, 2024.
Conclusion: How to Watch College Football Without Cable
The simplest way to watch college football without cable is by using a streaming service. There’s no shortage of options, including Sling TV, ESPN+, Fubo, Hulu Live + TV, and more. Of course, these options are only for US residents inside the country.
What if you’re from another country or on vacation from the US, and find yourself blocked?
Get a VPN. NordVPN can tear down those geo-blocks and get you into any of the streaming services showing American college football games. Our choice is Fubo — it has a broad spread of NCAA and other divisional games with a seven-day free trial to boot!
If you’re interested in watching college football online, you might be interested in a few of our other sports how-to guides. For all your NFL streaming needs, including the regular season, and Thursday Night Football, we’ve compiled the following guides:
- The Best Free NFL Streaming Sites
- How to Watch NFL Thursday Night Football Online
- How to Watch the Superbowl For Free Online
Do you have any questions about streaming college football games online? Below are some of the most common questions.
For free American college football live streaming, take advantage of some free trials from streaming platforms, FuboTV and YouTube TV. All you need to do is get a VPN like NordVPN and unblock one of the above streaming services from anywhere in the world. You can also check out our best free NFL streams to find more football games. Many of those sites cover college games too.
You can watch college football live with several paid and free streaming sites. These include Hulu + Live TV, ESPN+, and Sling TV, Hulu and Fubo. Bear in mind that, even if you have a subscription, you’ll be blocked from all of these websites outside the US. Our best VPN, NordVPN, solves that problem in an instant. Check out our NordVPN review for more information on this powerful VPN!
To stream the SEC Network, go to the SEC website, secsports.com. You’ll need to enter your cable provider information. You can also access the SEC Network on ESPN+, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV subscription. If you want to stream the SEC network outside of the US, use a VPN to bypass geographical restrictions.
