The broadcast rights to the EPL, the largest league in world soccer, have been sold to nearly every corner of the globe. And, consistent with the exploding trend of watching content online rather than over the air or through cable, there are Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platforms around the world that stream the Premier League.

The ability to stream the Premier League on IPTV has given the average soccer fan a great deal of freedom. Instead of being tied to a TV, they can watch the games from their smartphones, tablets, or laptops. And in the United States, for example, they can watch the world's best players without being tied to an expensive cable plan.

That's all well and good, but problems arise when trying to stream the Premier League on a pay-per-view basis when away from your home country. Rights restrictions block access to IPTV services. This is where the best VPN services come into play.

Using a virtual private network (VPN) to watch Premier League matches is very easy.

The first thing you should do is choose a provider - NordVPN tops the list of the best streaming VPNs today:

Once you subscribe to a VPN, download the VPN app or client to the device you plan to watch. All VPNs have desktop clients and smartphone/tablet apps for iOS and Android, and most top providers have Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, Roku, smart TVs, game consoles, etc. They also have dedicated apps for streaming devices.

Then select a server, or if you are abroad, a server in the country of the domestic IPTV provider airing the EPL, and click "Connect."

Now you are done: go to the IPTV site or app and start streaming soccer.

Even if IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a new term to you, you will be familiar with many of its platforms.

In short, IPTV refers to any content that is viewed through the Internet rather than through traditional means such as TV antenna, satellite, or cable. Thus, Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu are examples that immediately come to mind.

In addition to movies and TV shows, live sports broadcasts are now available on IPTV platforms around the world. British Premier League soccer is no exception.

In the U.S., IPTV options for watching EPL matches are diverse: NBC has the rights to linear broadcasts, with a weekly selection of matches available on its dedicated streaming service, Peacock. However, the IPTV market is as strong and competitive as the Premier League itself, as NBC's network is also included in cord-cutting OTT services such as Sling TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.

Other official IPTV options for watching Premier League streams around the world include:

Of course, there are also countless illegal IPTV sites on the World Wide Web. They violate broadcast rights and licenses and show free live soccer streams of almost every match.

But make no mistake, the practice is illegal: a British man was jailed earlier this year for abusing IPTV technology, and there are reports that others who broke these laws have been fined as well.

With a VPN, one can simulate one's IP address to other parts of the world. In other words, a VPN allows you to watch EPL streams from an IPTV service even in foreign countries where it would normally be geo-blocked.

In other words, let's say you are abroad and subscribe to Optus Sport. This sports-only streamer broadcasts all 380 EPL matches. However, if you are traveling outside of Australia and try to stream soccer from the Optus Sport app or website, you will soon find that the coverage is blocked.

With a good streaming VPN like NordVPN, you can connect to an Australian server and have your streaming device and Optus think you are back in Australia.

VPNs have many other useful uses besides spoofing your IP address.

First and foremost, virtual private networks provide a layer of privacy in a world where it feels like every move you make online is being tracked and monitored. By encrypting everything you do on the Internet, your Internet service provider (ISP), employer, school, or even the government will not be able to see what you are doing online. Some providers also offer obfuscation technology that hides the fact that you are even using a VPN.

Many top VPNs these days have Internet security tools built into their plans; NordVPN, for example, offers malware protection, trackers and ad blockers, and data leak scanners when you sign up for its Plus or Ultimate plans You will be able to do so. So when you turn on NordVPN when surfing the web, you are instantly better protected.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The software can help you access apps that are specifically blocked by certain agencies or countries, bypass ISP connection throttling, or save money when booking a vacation. See how to use the top 20 VPNs.

Tom's Guide does not encourage, condone, or endorse illegal streaming of copyrighted material or illegal streaming through IPTV. Those who use such sites do so at their own risk.