You’ve landed in Spain for a well-deserved break, kick off your shoes, grab a cold drink, and open the Sky Go app to catch the Premier League match. Instead of the familiar roar of the crowd, you’re hit with the infuriating error message: "Sky Go is only available to watch in the UK or ROI." It’s a classic traveler's headache, whether you’re in France, the USA, or Thailand.
The good news is there’s a simple, reliable fix that takes less than five minutes. A friend recently traveled to Bali for a holiday but didn't want to miss the Premier League. Sky Go was blocked the moment he landed. After connecting to a UK server via VPN, he watched the full match on his phone without any buffering.
This guide will show you exactly how to do the same. We'll explain why Sky Go blocks you and walk you through the simple steps to use a VPN to get back to watching the content you already pay for.
Why Can't I Watch Sky Go Abroad?
The reason you’re blocked from watching Sky Go abroad isn't a technical glitch; it’s intentional geo-blocking. Broadcasters like Sky operate under strict licensing agreements that dictate where they can show their content. The rights they hold to broadcast Premier League football, F1 races, or the latest Sky Cinema blockbusters are exclusively for audiences within the UK and Ireland.
To enforce these digital borders, Sky checks your IP address. Think of your IP address as a digital postcode for your internet connection. The moment the Sky Go app sees an IP address from Spain, Greece, or the USA, its systems automatically block your access to comply with its licensing deals. This applies to live content and even shows you've downloaded to your device before you left.
This is where a Sky Go VPN becomes your essential travel companion. It masks your real IP address and provides you with a UK-based one, tricking the service into thinking you’re watching from your sofa back home.
How to Watch Sky Go Abroad with a VPN (Step-by-Step)
Getting Sky Go working abroad is faster than you think. By using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can bypass geo-blocks in just a few clicks. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide on how to watch Sky Go abroad with a VPN.
- Choose a Reliable VPN: Sign up for a premium VPN service built for streaming. Tegant VPN is an excellent choice as it has UK servers optimized for services like Sky Go and uses the fast WireGuard protocol to ensure a buffer-free experience for live sports. Avoid free VPNs, as their servers are almost always detected and blocked.
- Install the VPN App: Download and install the VPN app on your chosen device. Whether it’s your iPhone, Android phone, or laptop, a good provider will have dedicated apps for all major platforms.
- Connect to a UK Server: Open the VPN app and log in. From the list of server locations, select one in the United Kingdom and tap "Connect." Your device will now have a UK IP address, making it appear as if you’re browsing from within the country.
- Open Sky Go and Start Watching: After connecting to the VPN, open the Sky Go app or website. You should now have full access to all your channels, from Sky Sports to Sky Cinema, without any error messages.
This diagram perfectly illustrates how a VPN acts as a key to unlock UK content while you're traveling.
It’s a simple three-step fix that solves one of the most common frustrations for UK travelers.
What Can I Watch on Sky Go Abroad?
Once you're connected to a UK server via your VPN, your entire Sky Go library is unlocked, just as if you were at home. This means you won't miss a moment of the TV you love, no matter where you are in the world.
Here’s a snapshot of what you can access:
- Live Sports (Sky Sports): The main reason many people want to watch Sky Sports abroad. You can stream all the major events live, including Premier League football, F1, The Ashes cricket, Major golf tournaments, tennis, and boxing.
- Movies (Sky Cinema): Access the full library of on-demand movies and live cinema channels. Perfect for a relaxing evening in your hotel.
- Entertainment (Sky Atlantic, Sky Max): Keep up with the latest must-see series and entertainment shows from channels like Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, and many others included in your package.
Remember, your standard Sky account rules still apply. You can register up to six devices and stream on a maximum of two simultaneously.
What Devices Work with Sky Go Abroad?
A quality VPN allows you to watch Sky Go on all the devices you’d normally use. As long as your VPN provider offers an app for your device, you can get it set up in minutes.
The most popular devices for watching Sky Go while traveling include:
- Smartphones: Both iPhones and Android devices are fully supported. This is perfect for catching a match on the go. Check out our guides to the best VPN for iPhone and best VPN for Android.
- Laptops: Windows and macOS laptops are ideal for a bigger screen experience in your hotel room.
- Tablets: iPads and Android tablets offer a great balance of portability and screen size.
- Amazon Fire Stick: While a bit more complex, you can install a VPN on a Fire Stick to watch on a hotel TV.
The key is to install and connect the VPN on the specific device you plan to use for streaming before you open the Sky Go app.
Why Some VPNs Don't Work with Sky Go
If you’ve ever tried to watch Sky Go abroad with a random VPN, you may have found it doesn’t work. This is because streaming services like Sky are in a constant battle with VPN providers. They actively identify and blacklist IP addresses associated with VPN servers.
This is why many VPNs fail:
- Free VPNs: These are the worst offenders. Their IP addresses are shared by thousands of users and are easily flagged and blocked. They are also notoriously slow and insecure.
- Overcrowded Servers: Even some paid VPNs, like NordVPN or Surfshark, can have their popular UK servers blocked from time to time because so many people use them.
- Lack of Obfuscation: Some networks, particularly in hotels or public areas, use firewalls to block standard VPN connections. Without advanced features to disguise the VPN traffic, the connection will fail.
A reliable VPN for Sky Go like Tegant stays ahead of these blocks by using optimized UK servers for streaming and offering advanced protocols. Tegant’s premium V2Ray/XRay protocol provides obfuscation, which disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet activity, making it much harder to detect and block. While competitors like ExpressVPN often work, they come at a much higher price point.
Troubleshooting: Sky Go Not Working Abroad with a VPN?
Even with a great VPN, you might occasionally run into an issue. If you see the dreaded "Sky Go not working abroad" error, don't panic. These simple troubleshooting steps will solve the problem 99% of the time.
Here's your checklist:
- Connect to the VPN First: This is the golden rule. Always connect to your UK VPN server before opening the Sky Go app. If you do it the other way around, the app will cache your real location and block you.
- Clear the Sky Go App Cache: If you opened the app before connecting, it may have stored your foreign location data. Go to your device’s settings, find the Sky Go app, and clear its cache and data. Then, reconnect to the VPN and try again.
- Try a Different UK Server: Sometimes, a specific server's IP address gets blacklisted by Sky. Simply disconnect and reconnect to a different UK server in your VPN app.
- Use an Obfuscated Protocol: If you’re on a restrictive network (like hotel Wi-Fi), a standard VPN connection might be blocked. Switch to an obfuscated protocol like V2Ray/XRay (available in Tegant's premium plan) to disguise your traffic.
- Check Your Sky Subscription: It's a simple one, but make sure your Sky account is active and in good standing.
If your stream is slow or buffering, the issue might be with the underlying connection. Our guide on what to do when your VPN is slow can help.
Is It Legal to Watch Sky Go Abroad with a VPN?
This is a common and important question. The short answer is yes, using a VPN is legal in the UK, the EU (including Spain, France, Greece, and Italy), the USA, and most other countries popular with travelers.
However, using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions does technically breach Sky's Terms of Service. This is a contractual issue, not a criminal one. There have been no known cases of Sky taking action against a user for watching their subscribed content while on holiday.
The main legal concern should be the laws of the country you are visiting. A handful of countries like China, Russia, and the UAE have strict regulations on VPN use, so it's wise to be aware of local laws if traveling there.
Important: Sky Go is a service for paying Sky subscribers only. You must have an active UK Sky TV subscription to access content. Additionally, watching live TV on Sky Go requires a valid UK TV Licence. Tegant VPN is a privacy and security tool. You are responsible for complying with Sky's terms of service and ensuring you have the appropriate rights to access their content.
FAQ: Watching Sky Go Abroad
Can I watch Sky Go abroad without a VPN?
No. Due to broadcasting rights and licensing agreements, Sky Go is geo-blocked outside the UK and Ireland. You need a VPN to get a UK IP address to access the service from abroad.
Will a VPN slow down my streaming speed?
Any VPN will add a small amount of overhead to your connection, but with a premium VPN using a modern protocol like WireGuard, the speed loss is often negligible. Tegant's servers are optimized for streaming to ensure you can watch live sports in HD without buffering.
What’s the best VPN for Sky Go?
The best VPN for Sky Go is one that offers fast, reliable UK servers that are not blocked by Sky, uses modern protocols like WireGuard for speed, and provides strong privacy features. Tegant VPN is designed specifically for these requirements, making it a top choice.
Can I watch other UK channels abroad with a VPN?
Yes. The same method works for other UK-based streaming services. You can use your VPN to watch BBC iPlayer abroad, as well as ITVX, Channel 4, and more. It's also effective for other platforms, and we have a guide to the best VPNs that work with Netflix.
Legal Notice: Tegant VPN is a privacy and security service and should not be used as a means of copyright circumvention. We cannot see or control what you do while connected to our VPN, so you are responsible for complying with our Terms of Service, Sky's terms of service, and any applicable laws. Sky Go is intended for paying UK Sky subscribers only. A valid UK TV Licence is required to watch live television.
Ready to unlock your Sky Go subscription from anywhere in the world? Tegant VPN provides the fast, reliable UK servers you need for seamless streaming. Get started today and never miss a match or a movie again.