Why trust VPN Guider
Watching AHL games has become easier than ever for North American residents since AHLTV has moved to FloHockey for the 2024-25 season. Yet for the audience living or travelling outside North America, watching live games is a humongous task, as the content is geo-restricted. If you fall into that category, don’t worry; a VPN will help you access the matches smoothly.
The increasing global popularity of the sport has enhanced the fandom in numbers across Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond, making it really important for the fans to know the exact steps on how to follow the American Hockey League every season without tangling themselves with sketchy streams or extensive guesswork.
This is where this complete guide on how to watch AHL hockey games live outside North America comes in handy. So let’s dive right into it!
The AHL, being the primary development league for the National Hockey League, has multiple affiliates that get promoted to play in the NHL in the future, making it one of the most-watched tournaments across continents.
Exciting, right?
But there is a broadcasting issue for the global audience that arises because of the games being region-locked, as the content is mainly available for viewers in the US and Canada. So if you’re located outside North America, you may run into an error stating “This content is not available in your region”, or a blank stream, or missing games, and sometimes the designated apps won’t load overseas.
So, how to overcome this problem? The answer is simple: if you know the right broadcasters and how a VPN fits into the picture, then you have nothing to worry about; you can simply bypass the geo-blocking and stream any match you like.
The league’s official streaming service is AHLTV, which is now available through FloHockey, and it’s the most reliable way to watch games live and on demand.
With FloHockey, you get live streams for most regular-season and playoff games throughout the season. Fans can choose between home and away broadcasts, which is great if you prefer a specific commentary team. The platform also provides full replays and condensed game versions, so you can catch up even if the live puck drop happens in the middle of the night in your time zone. Best of all, you do not need a cable subscription.
The challenge comes when you’re watching from outside North America. FloHockey primarily holds licenses to broadcast in the United States and Canada. Regional broadcast restrictions may block your access entirely or cause inconsistent availability if you’re located elsewhere.
Sometimes, AHL teams collaborate with local US sports networks and other regional platforms, providing you with team-specific content for a more immersive viewing experience. Which is a hit for the fans that follow these college hockey teams, yet a complete miss for the audience not in North America. As it is almost always necessary to have a US IP address to watch these matches live, even if the coverage may vary from team to team, the broadcast is still typically geo-restricted.
Most big National League teams provide promotional airtime to their connected AHL clubs; however, these matches are based on local agreements, intended for viewers in the team’s own market rather than foreign supporters.
If you watch from outside the US, these broadcasts normally prohibit streaming the matches on them unless you use a VPN with a US server.
The global audience can use a VPN, which can make a huge difference. If you are a fan travelling, living, or located outside North America, a VPN connection to US or Canadian servers will give you access to the streaming platform of FloHockey so that you can enjoy the games with no issues. It will help you bypass regional blocks that might otherwise prevent the stream from loading.
If you are in a specific region and it seems like the match is buffering or stuck, it might be because of your service provider; sometimes, they slow down or throttle streaming traffic when live sports events are being broadcast. Using a VPN can help you improve your viewing experience, as it can reduce that risk by allowing you to have a smoother and more consistent playback. This functionality is exponentially supportive if you are using the Wi-Fi of a hotel, airport, or cafe. Using the right VPN server will add an extra layer of security as it encrypts your connection over public Wi-Fi networks.
It is important to understand that all this streaming information is for the official broadcasting platforms, as a VPN won’t unlock any pirated content or help you bypass or give access to unpaid illegal streams. Having a VPN simply helps you to access the official streaming services that are based on subscription models but are location-restricted and don’t let you stream the AHL matches whenever you are not in the server zone of North America.
If you hate lag, ExpressVPN is basically the gold standard for hockey. Their servers are fast enough that you won’t have to deal with that annoying spinning circle right when the game gets intense. Since they have a massive presence across the US and Canada, getting around those regional blocks is pretty much a non-issue. And the greatest part is that this VPN option works on almost all devices, such as smart TVs, phones, or laptops. If you want to connect directly to a server without any hassle from complicated settings, this is the perfect choice.
NordVPN is another great choice you can have, mostly because they have multiple servers across North America. This is a lifesaver during big games when servers usually get crowded and slow down. They also have this “SmartPlay” feature that’s actually built for streaming, so it handles sports sites better than most. It’s a great pick if you want a mix of high speed and more control over your privacy. Honestly, if you’re trying to keep up with the AHL or any other league, this is a very safe bet.
Both of these are solid for AHLTV or any other North American sports apps.
Watching AHL games can be easy, even if you are outside North America; all you have to know is how to do it.
Create an account and buy a membership to FloHockey by going to FloHockey.tv. The cost of the subscription is about $40 CAD per month or $200 CAD annually. Additionally, users can directly transfer their current FloHockeyTV or AHLTV accounts. Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, iOS/Android apps, and web browsers are all supported by the platform.
To watch the live matches, you’ll just need to set up a reliable VPN on your preferred device. A provider like NordVPN or ExpressVPN recommends picking a US or Canadian server. This choice will provide you with the North American IP you need.
Once that’s toggled on, just head over to FloHockey, log in, and you’re all set to catch the live games. It’s a pretty straightforward process without any weird technical hoops to jump through, so you can actually watch the hockey you’ve already paid for.
In most places, using a VPN is perfectly fine, especially if you’re looking to stay secure or access your accounts while travelling. The real key is how you use it. If you’re using a VPN to watch AHL games on a platform you already pay for, you’re generally on solid ground. On the flip side, we always suggest staying away from pirated or illegal streams.
Before you hit that connect button, it’s a smart move to double-check the streaming service’s terms of use and the local laws in your area. Having thorough knowledge will ensure you’ll stay within the rules while enjoying the game.
The AHL is easily one of the most fun leagues to follow, mostly because it’s where you catch future stars before they make it big. Even if you’re living overseas, you don’t have to miss out on those heavy hits and old-school rivalries.
You’re essentially covered by FloHockey’s official coverage and a good VPN to get around any regional blocks. You may watch the sports live from almost anyplace as long as your connection is reliable. In essence, it’s similar to lounging on your couch at home.
Do I really need a VPN to watch AHL games if I’m outside the US?
Yes, you typically do. FloHockey is primarily designed for viewers in the United States and Canada due to broadcasting rights. The website may block you or display an error if you attempt to log in from Asia, Europe, or any other location. By creating the impression that you are browsing from North America, a VPN enables you to get around this and open the stream.
Will a VPN make my hockey stream lag or buffer?
It usually doesn’t, if you choose a high-quality VPN service. Although some cheap or even free options may be a bit slower, great premium options like ExpressVPN or NordVPN incorporate speed and strong connectivity. These VPNs come with multiple North American servers, so if you tend to face a bit of lag, you can simply switch to a different US or Canadian server to solve the issue, because sometimes the IP addresses of some cities are unusually faster than the rest.
Can I watch AHL games for free using a VPN?
A VPN isn’t a “free pass” to avoid having to pay for a subscription, sorry. To view the matches, you still need to have an active FloHockey account. Simply put, the VPN enables you to access your premium account when travelling or residing in a nation where the service isn’t formally offered.
Is it okay to watch games on my phone or smart TV?
Of course. The majority of premium VPNs have apps that are compatible with nearly every device. The VPN can be installed straight onto your laptop, tablet, or phone. Many VPNs are compatible with Android TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick, and they can be configured on your router to cover your whole home network if you wish to view on a large screen.
What should I do if FloHockey still won’t load with my VPN on?
If FloHockey won’t load, try emptying your cache and cookies. This will give you a new start because browsers keep track of where you are and from where you last used it. Now simply launch your VPN and connect to a US or Canadian city, which is showing you a fast server. Due to the local agreements, streaming platforms are constantly trying to detect VPN IP addresses. If you switch to a different city or a better server in North America, the persisting problem will be solved, and you can watch live games on FloHockey.
