How to watch free NFL Draft live streams from anywhere
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The 2024 NFL Draft starts tonight and it’s shaping up to be an exciting first round. We’ve put together everything you need to know about how to watch the NFL Draft, including a free Round 1 live stream.
The draft will take place in Detroit, Michigan over seven rounds and three days. Round 1 will take place tonight, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday. In total, there are 257 picks this year. The Chicago Bears have the first pick this year, followed by the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots.
The St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Rams have the most overall picks this year, with 11 each. For 2024, quarterbacks are in demand. Top prospects include USC quarterback Caleb Williams, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, among others.
Keep reading for our full breakdown of the 2024 NFL Draft, including how to watch Round 1 no matter where you are in the world.
- See also: How to watch the NBA Playoffs | How to watch the NHL Playoffs | Where to watch the Madrid Open
How to watch the NFL Draft in the US
The NFL Draft will air on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network in the US. The Round 1 picks will start on Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET. This will be true for every day of the draft, except for Friday, wherein the draft will be shown on ABC, the NFL Network, and ESPN2 (not regular ESPN). While the networks offer different types of coverage and analysis, all of the options will show the actual draft. If you don’t have cable, you can access these channels via live TV packages like Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV.
For Sling TV, you’ll want to select a Sling Orange plan to access ESPN and ESPN2. Sling subscriptions cost $40 a month, but you can currently get you’re first month for $10 off, making it only a $30 investment right now.
Sling TV Subscription
For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you’re looking for. It’s more customizable than other plans, with three options you can choose from, so you pay for only what you need. New members get their first month for $25 off.
With Hulu + Live TV, you can access ESPN, ESPN2, the NFL Network, and ABC. The service starts at $76.99 a month, but it currently comes with a three-day free trial (which will cover you for all three days of the draft). Hulu + Live TV also includes access to ESPN+, Disney+, and regular on-demand Hulu.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV includes over 90 channels, along with Hulu’s on-demand library and access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus. Adding live TV drives up the price significantly, but it’s a rolling one-month contract that you’re free to cancel at any time. As live TV services go, though, this is one of the best.
How to watch the NFL Draft in the UK
If you don’t mind staying up late on Thursday and Friday, you can catch the NFL Draft through Sky Sports in the UK. Sky Sports will also have lots of coverage leading up to the draft.
How to watch the NFL Draft in Australia
You can catch the NFL Draft a couple of different ways in Australia. There’s a free option for Round 1, which will be available through 7Plus. You just need to create a free account using your basic information and postal code. For access to all rounds, you can check out Kayo, which will stream ESPN’s coverage to Australia. Kayo subscriptions start at $25 a month in Australia and come with a one-week free trial.
How to watch the NFL Draft from anywhere
If you will be outside Australia during Round 1 of the draft, you can always use a VPN to access the free streams. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy ways to change your electronic device’s virtual location so that you can still access websites and apps that might vary in unavailability from country to country. VPNs are especially helpful for boosting internet privacy and helping you keep up with your life while traveling abroad.
Interested in trying out a VPN? We recommend ExpressVPN, a beginner-friendly service with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN review for additional details and keep reading to learn how to use a VPN.
ExpressVPN Plan
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that makes it exceptional. Better yet, you can save up to 49% and get an extra three months for free today.
How to watch the NFL Draft with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don’t already have one.
- Install it on the device you’re planning to watch the draft on.
- Turn it on and set it to an Australian location.
- Create a free 7Plus account if you don’t already have one.
- Navigate to the live stream and enjoy.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
Lillian Brown is a Streaming and Deals Editorial Fellow for Business Insider. She joined the company in early 2024 and focuses on ‘how to watch’ guides for streaming services and live events for the Reviews team. She also covers VPN usage.You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
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