If you’re outside the United States, you’ll need a VPN and a couple of different U.S. streaming providers (Paramount+ and FuboTV) to watch Sunday’s games. Fortunately, both services have free trials so you can watch the games at no charge. Follow the step-by-step guide below: However it played out for your team personally, the stage is set for Sunday, Jan. 30’s Super Bowl deciding matchups. The Chiefs and Bengals are slated to battle it out for the AFC Championship at 3:00 pm (E.T.), while the 49ers and Rams will vie for the NFC crown at 6:30 pm (E.T.). Thanks to international geo-restrictions, NFL fans traveling abroad won’t be able to access the only two American channels (CBS and FOX) showing the final weekend of the NFL playoffs. We’ll show you how to break through these digital barriers and access the streaming platforms you need with a tool called a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
How to Watch the 2022 AFC and NFC Finals from Anywhere
Watching the NFL in the USA is pretty simple. Just walk into any bar with a TV and ask them to switch it to the game you want. But when you’re traveling abroad or have cut the cord with traditional cable television providers, it’s not as easy as you might think. This weekend’s AFC and NFC Championship games are a perfect example. They’ve split up the coverage among two channels that you can’t find in one place on any streaming American streaming platforms. Here’s the rundown:
NFL Playoffs: Sunday, Jan. 30
Since CBS has branched out into the streaming wars, you’ll need to sign up for Paramount+, their online streaming platform to watch the AFC championship. The NFC championship’s on FOX this weekend, so you’ll either need access to FOX Sports or a service provider that carries FOX — like FuboTV or SlingTV. We’ll break it down for you in the step-by-step guide below:
A step-by-step guide: Watch AFC and NFL Championships outside the US
Should I Use a Free VPN to Stream NFL Football?
When researching VPNs, you’ll no doubt come across some free ones. While free VPNs can be tempting and have plenty to offer, when it comes to live sports streaming, they just don’t make the cut. You’ll find some drawbacks when it comes to watching the AFC and NFC championships, or any live sporting event for that matter. Here are a few: If you’re determined to use a free VPN to stream NFC and AFC championship games, you can check out some of the best free VPNs that we’ve rounded up.
2022 NFC and AFC Championship Games: What to Expect
If you’re looking for an underdog to pull for, there’s no better story than that of the Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) and their fresh-faced QB Joe Burrows. The Bengals haven’t appeared in an AFC Championship game since the 1988 season, and are the only team in this year’s playoff finals that hasn’t won a Super Bowl. Their road to the Super Bowl won’t be an easy one as they’re squaring off against Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs (12-5). The Chiefs have appeared in the last two Super Bowls, winning the 2020 championship. The Los Angeles Rams (12-5) and San Fransisco 49ers (10-7) will battle it out for the NFC Championship. Both earned their spots with hard-fought games against the Buccaneers and Packers, respectively. Both the Rams and 49ers are no strangers to the Vince Lombardi trophy. Though the Rams haven’t won one since the 1999 season, they’ve appeared in four Super Bowls — one as recently as 2018.
Super Bowl LVI
Of course, all roads lead to Super Bowl LVI. The winner of the Chiefs vs. Bengals will face the Rams or 49ers. The Championship matchup will be played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California on Feb. 13. The kickoff is at 6:30 p.m E.T.