How to watch the Cotton Bowl online with a VPN in 2025
Don’t let internet provider slowdowns ruin your chance to see every big play of this College Football Playoff semifinal. Follow these simple steps to watch the Cotton Bowl game smoothly, without interruptions.
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server where your streaming platform is available. For example, American fans can connect to a server in the U.S. to watch the Cotton Bowl on the ESPN app or via Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, or Fubo.
- See who makes it to the college football National Championship.
Why you need a VPN to watch the Cotton Bowl online
Don’t let poor streaming quality ruin your Cotton Bowl experience. Your internet provider might slow your connection during high-bandwidth activities like streaming, which can leave you dealing with lag and buffering during crucial moments of the game. A VPN stops this by encrypting your internet data, so your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online. The result? Smooth, uninterrupted streaming — like a perfectly executed two-minute drill.
If you’re on a restricted Wi-Fi network at work or school and unable to watch the game, a VPN can be your playmaker. It helps you bypass network restrictions, giving you full access to streaming platforms so you can watch every moment of the Cotton Bowl live.
The best VPN to live stream the Cotton Bowl
ExpressVPN is a top choice for streaming live sports, including the Cotton Bowl. Here’s why:
- Extensive U.S. server network: With servers in 18 U.S. cities across 12 states, you can always be sure to find one where you need one.
- High-speed connections: 10-Gbps servers deliver flawless streaming quality, so you can watch the Cotton Bowl without buffering, even in UHD.
- Streaming-optimized: ExpressVPN works seamlessly with Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, and many other platforms showing the NFL.
- Multiple device support: Connect up to 8 devices simultaneously so you and your family can stream separately or together.
Try ExpressVPN risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to watch the Cotton Bowl for free (and without ESPN)
ESPN has exclusive broadcast rights to the Cotton Bowl, as well as the other College Football Playoff semifinal game, the Orange Bowl. If you don’t have cable, you can live stream college football on a streaming platform that includes ESPN in its channel lineup.
Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and YouTube TV all offer ESPN as part of their packages. They also offer free trial periods for new subscribers, so you can watch the Cotton Bowl and the Orange Bowl for free if you’re eligible.
| Service | Channels | Free Trial Length |
| DirecTV Stream | ESPN, FS1, Big Ten Network, ACC Network, ESPNU | 5 days |
| Fubo | ESPN, ESPN2, Regional Sports Networks | 7 days |
| Hulu + Live TV | ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, Big Ten Network | 3 days |
| YouTube TV | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 | Varies |
Americans traveling abroad on January 10 can install ExpressVPN on their streaming device and connect to one of the U.S. server locations. This way, you can stream the Cotton Bowl as if you never left home.
When and where is the Cotton Bowl?
The Cotton Bowl is the final semifinal bowl game of the 2024-25 college football season. The game kicks off on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. ET at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Here’s the schedule for the other two remaining games in the college football season.
Semifinals
| Date and time | Bowl Game | Start time | TV channel |
| Thursday, January 9, 2025 | Orange Bowl | Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
College Football Playoff National Championship
| Date and time | Bowl Game | Start time | TV channel |
| Thursday, January 20, 2025 | National Championship Game | Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
ExpressVPN is a VPN service not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention. Please read the ExpressVPN Terms of Service and your content provider’s Terms of Use for more details.
FAQ: About watching the Cotton Bowl online
Can I use a VPN to watch the Cotton Bowl from another country?
Some users might watch the Cotton Bowl game 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 the Cotton Bowl?
Many free VPNs are unable to access streaming platforms and have limited server networks, making it hard to connect to the location you want. ExpressVPN is a smarter choice, offering servers in 105 countries, including 12 U.S. states, that work seamlessly with major streaming platforms. With blazing-fast speeds and rock-solid reliability, you’ll enjoy smooth, uninterrupted streaming from kickoff to the final whistle. Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
Where can I stream the Cotton Bowl?
You can stream the Cotton Bowl on platforms that offer ESPN as part of their channel lineup. Popular options include Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream. Many of these platforms offer free trials for new users, allowing you to stream the Cotton Bowl online without paying upfront.
What channel will the Cotton Bowl be on?
The Cotton Bowl will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN. This includes both cable TV and streaming platforms that carry ESPN as part of their packages, such as Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream.
How can I watch the Cotton Bowl if I don’t have ESPN?
If you don’t have ESPN, you can still watch the Cotton Bowl through streaming platforms that include ESPN in their channel lineup. Services like Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV all offer the channel. Many of these platforms have free trial options for new subscribers, giving you a chance to watch the Cotton Bowl without paying a penny.
Why is the Cotton Bowl called the Cotton Bowl?
The Cotton Bowl gets its name from its original location — the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The stadium, built in 1930, was named to honor the cotton industry, which was a key industry in the state at the time. While the game has since moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the name “Cotton Bowl” remains as a nod to its historic roots.
Is the Red River Rivalry always at the Cotton Bowl?
Yes, the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma is always played at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. This iconic matchup takes place during the State Fair of Texas, adding to the event’s unique atmosphere. While the College Football Playoff Cotton Bowl is played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the Red River Rivalry remains a fixture at the original Cotton Bowl stadium.
