How to watch Detroit Lions games online with a VPN
The Detroit Lions are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl this year. Don’t let filtered Wi-Fi networks block your NFL live stream. Follow the simple steps below, and watch every down of the Lions NFL playoff run wherever you are.
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a VPN server where the game is available to stream. For example, Americans can connect to any of the servers in the U.S. to watch the Lions play on YouTube TV.
- Enjoy the grit—It’s Detroit vs. everybody.
Why you need a VPN to watch Detroit Lions games
A VPN is like an offensive line—but instead of protecting Jared Goff from defensive linemen, it’s protecting you from streaming issues that can cause you to miss the game. It prevents your internet provider or Wi-Fi network from targeting your streaming traffic with slowdowns or blocking your access to certain platforms, meaning you can enjoy every play without buffering or interruptions.
Here’s how a VPN keeps your game-day experience smooth:
- Bypass streaming restrictions: Get past network restrictions on work, school, or public Wi-Fi networks, so you can access your favorite streaming platforms anywhere.
- Avoid ISP throttling: Your internet provider may slow your connection down when it detects streaming activity, but a VPN conceals your activity, keeping your stream fast and smooth.
- Secure your personal data: Think of it like wearing a helmet on the field—it keeps you safe from potential hits. A VPN encrypts your online activity, shielding your personal data from hackers and trackers.
With servers in 105 countries and 18 U.S. cities, ExpressVPN makes it easy to find one where you need it. This allows you to bypass Wi-Fi restrictions and stream Detroit Lions games on your go-to platform—no matter where you are on game day.
How to watch Detroit Lions games for free
The NFL is broadcast in over 200 countries, several of which have live Detroit Lions games coverage you can watch on TV or stream online.
Watch the Detroit Lions for free on 7plus
Country: Australia
Available games: Select regular season games, every playoff game, Super Bowl
You can watch the Detroit Lions for free on 7plus, the best channel for streaming the NFL in Australia. It broadcasts live NFL games each week, including every playoff game and the Super Bowl, so you’ll never miss the season’s biggest moments. If you can’t catch the game live due to the time difference, the on-demand replays are available for seven days after each game.
Don’t let Wi-Fi streaming blocks at school or work prevent you from watching the Lions—get ExpressVPN and bypass those restrictions as fast as a Jahmyr Gibbs 40 yard TD run.
How to watch the Detroit Lions games on TVNZ
Country: New Zealand
Available Games: 3 NFL games per week, every playoff game, Super Bowl
When the NFL playoffs start, you can watch every Detroit Lions game on TVNZ Duke or online with the TVNZ+ app. In addition to live games, you can watch highlights from around the league, expert analysis, and more.
Live stream the Lions on RTL
Countries: Germany and Austria
Available games: Select NFL games
In Germany and Austria, the free-to-air channel RTL Nitro broadcasts NFL games. In good news for Lions fans in Germany and Austria, it will carry all the NFC playoff games and Super Bowl LIX. You’ll also get to stream lots of NFL content, including documentaries and podcasts, to keep you informed and entertained.
ExpressVPN works with major sports streaming services worldwide, including 7plus, TVNZ+, and RTL, ensuring you get secure, reliable access to the Detroit Lions games without error messages or other disruptions.
How to watch the Detroit Lions games without cable for free in the U.S.
Most of the Detroit Lions games are free to watch on TV without cable, you just need a TV with an antenna. If you don’t have cable, your best option is to subscribe to a live TV streaming platform that offers a free trial for new subscribers. The four options below carry all the channels you need to watch in-market Detroit Lions games, the NFL playoffs, and the Super Bowl.
| Service | Channels | Free trial length |
| DirecTV Stream | FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC, ESPN, and RedZone | 5 days |
| Fubo | FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC and ESPN, and RedZone | 7 days |
| Hulu + Live TV | FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC and ESPN, and RedZone | 3 days |
| YouTube TV | FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC and ESPN, NFL Sunday Ticket, and RedZone | Varies |
Other ways to watch Detroit Lions games
Live stream every Detroit Lions game with the NFL Game Pass International
Countries: Worldwide, excluding the U.S.
Games: Every game
The DAZN Game Pass International is the only way for Lions fans outside the U.S. to guarantee you can watch every game live and on demand. In addition to the games, it comes with the RedZone channel and NFL Network.
Have you ever tried watching a game online, only to encounter lag and buffering from the start? You might be the victim of ISP throttling. ExpressVPN encrypts your traffic so your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online and slow you down based on your activity. You can live stream NFL games smoothly in HD, or even UHD when available.
Watch every in-market Lions game with NFL+
Country: U.S.
Available games: All in-market games, all playoff games
The NFL+ app allows you to live stream the in-market games in your region. This means if you live in the Detroit area, you can watch the Lions, but you won’t be able to watch other games. Once the playoffs start, you’ll have access to every game live, regardless of who is playing. To watch games on demand, you’ll need an NFL Premium subscription.
The location for in-market games is based on your IP address. If you’re traveling around the U.S., you’ll get a different IP address in different locations, giving you access to different teams’ games.
Watch out-of-market Detroit Lions games with the Sunday Ticket
Country: U.S.
Available games: All out-of-market Sunday games, not including playoffs or Super Bowl
The Sunday Ticket, which is available exclusively on YouTube, is a sure-fire way to watch out-of-market Detroit Lions games during the regular season. It gives you access to all the Sunday games on FOX and CBS, but doesn’t include Sunday Night Football or any other games.
2024-25 Detroit Lions schedule
Regular season
| Game | Date and time | TV |
| Chicago Bears 17. Detroit Lions 34 | Sunday, December 22, 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. GMT | NFL Game Pass International, Fox |
| San Francisco 49ers 34, Detroit Lions 40 | Monday, December 30, 8:15 p.m. ET / 1:15 a.m. GMT | NFL Game Pass International, ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ |
| Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings | Sunday, January 5, 8:20 p.m. / 1:20 a.m. GMT | NFL Game Pass International, NBC, Peacock |
NFL Playoff Schedule
NFC Wild Card round
| Date and Time | Matchup | Streaming |
| January 11, 2025 1:00 p.m. ET | TBD | TBD |
| January 11, 2025 4:30 p.m. ET | TBD | TBD |
| January 11. 2025 8:00 p.m. ET | TBD | TBD |
AFC Wild Card round
| Date and Time | Matchup | Streaming |
| January 12, 2025 4:30 p.m. ET | TBD | TBD |
| January 12, 2025, 8:!5 p.m. ET | TBD | TBD |
| January 13, 2025 | TBD | TBD |
NFC Divisional Round
| Date and Time | Matchup | Streaming |
| January 18, 2025 4:30 p.m. ET | Detroit Lions vs. TBD | TBD |
| January 19, 2025 6:30 p.m. | TBD vs. TBD | TBD |
AFC Divisional Round
| Date and Time | Matchup | Streaming |
| January 18, 2025 3:00 p.m. ET | Kansas City Chiefs vs. TBD | TBD |
| January 19, 2025 6:15 p.m. ET | TBD vs. TBD | TBD |
Conference Championship Round
| Date and Time | Matchup | Streaming |
| January 26, 2025 3:00 p.m. ET | NFC Conference Championship | FOX |
| January 26, 2025 6:30 p.m. ET | AFC Conference Championship | CBS |
Super Bowl LIX
| Date and Time | Matchup | Streaming |
| Sunday, February 9, 2025 kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET | AFC vs NFC | FOX |
About the 2024 Detroit Lions
The Lions came into the 2024 as the favorite to make the Super Bowl from the NFC, but major injuries to several key players, including Alim McNeil, David Montgomery, and superstar defensive end Aiden Hutchinson will test the grit and resolve of this team.
In spite of these injuries, Detroit has been enjoying its best season in decades. They had an 11 game win streak, scored 50 points in two different games, and showed that even with 13 defensive players on IR they are one of the best teams in the league.
The question remains, can they continue to overcome the injuries and reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history?
Why ExpressVPN is the best VPN for watching the Detroit Lions
With a vast network of servers throughout the U.S., as well as Canada, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and other countries where you can live stream NFL games for free, ExpressVPN has all your NFL streaming needs covered. These servers are optimized for streaming and have high-speed capability, allowing you to watch live games without buffering or lag.
ExpressVPN is compatible with major sports streaming services like YouTube TV, Game Pass International, 7plus, TVNZ, and more. User-friendly apps for all major devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and streaming media consoles, make it easy to watch the Lions at home or on the go. With 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, ExpressVPN provides peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy every Detroit Lions game with confidence.
FAQ: About streaming Detroit Lions games
Can I use a VPN to watch the NFL from another country?
Some users might watch the NFL by connecting to a VPN server in a country other than their own, but doing so may violate copyright or the streaming service’s terms of use. ExpressVPN is a privacy and security tool, and using it to circumvent copyright is against our Terms of Service. We cannot see or control what you do while connected to our VPN, so you are responsible for ensuring that your use complies with all relevant terms and laws.
Should I use a free VPN to watch Detroit Lions games?
Free VPNs typically don’t have the features you need to stream live sports. You can end up missing crucial parts of the game due to bandwidth limits or trying to find a server that works with your streaming platform. ExpressVPN saves you the headaches and has everything you need to watch the entire game without interruptions. Its global network of streaming-optimized servers ensures you can watch the entire game, from the opening kickoff until the Lions get the Victory Formation without any issues. Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days with a money back guarantee.
Can I stream the NFL outside the United States?
NFL Game Pass International is available to customers all over the world. There are no blackout games, meaning you can watch the NFL without any issues! You’ll also find NFL games on some regional streaming services like 7plus (Australia), TVNZ+ (New Zealand), and RTL (Germany and Austria), all of which air free games during the 2024 season and postseason.
Can I watch Detroit Lions games live with an app?
Yes, you can watch Detroit Lions games live on various apps, including YouTube TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Prime Video, Paramount Plus, Peacock, and ESPN+ in the United States. Lions fans outside the U.S. can watch on the DAZN Game Pass International, 7plus (Australia), RTL (Germany and Austria), and TVNZ+ (New Zealand).
Can I watch Detroit Lions games live on YouTube?
No, you cannot live stream Detroit Lions games on YouTube, but you can watch extensive highlights and behind the scenes video content. If you add the Sunday Ticket to your account, you can watch out-of-market Lions games.
How can I live stream Detroit Lions games for free?
7plus (Australia), RTL (Germany and Austria), and TVNZ (New Zealand) will all air games for free during the 2024 season, including the playoffs and Super Bowl. In the U.S., the closest you’ll get is with a free trial for a streaming platform covering the games, such as YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV.
Can I watch the Detroit Lions on Paramount Plus?
If the Lions game is on CBS and televised in your TV market, then you can live stream it on Paramount Plus.
Can you watch the Lions game on the Fox app?
The in-market Detroit Lions games are available on the Fox app. However, while the game is free on Fox TV, to access the live stream on the app you will need a TV provider login. Fox is the home of Super Bowl LIX, so be prepared to stream should the Lions finally make it.
