Watching Football and Streaming Services in Albania

While traveling  abroad and missing your loved one program the best to watch streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer or others  with using a VPN to bypass geographic restrictions and access content from your home country.

Streaming Services: Netflix & HBO Max

• Netflix: Yes, Netflix is fully available in Albania. It has been available since January 2016. However, do be aware that the content library might vary compared to what you’re used to in your home country due to licensing agreements. Some users have reported that the Albanian library can be smaller than in other regions.
• HBO Max: Great news! HBO Max is launching in Albania in July 2025.So, if your visit is after this time, you will have access to HBO Max’s content library. They are expanding to 12 new countries, and Albania is among them.

Watching Football League Cup (Carabao Cup) and Rugby in Albania

This is where it gets more specific, as major sports broadcasting rights are usually held by pay-TV providers.

1. Football League Cup (Carabao Cup):

The primary place to watch the Football League Cup (Carabao Cup) in Albania is SuperSport, which is part of the DigitAlb platform.

• SuperSport (DigitAlb): SuperSport is the leading sports broadcaster in Albania and holds the rights to many major football leagues and competitions. According to information, SuperSport Albania has broadcasting rights for the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) from 2024/2028.
  • How to Access:
    • Hotel/Accommodation: Many hotels and guesthouses in Albania will have DigitAlb subscriptions, so you might be able to watch it on the TV in your room or in a common area.
    • Sports Bars: Look for sports bars, particularly in larger cities like Tirana, Durres, Saranda, or Vlora. They often subscribe to DigitAlb/SuperSport to show popular matches.
    • DigitAlb Subscription: As a tourist, getting a full DigitAlb satellite or IPTV subscription for a short period is likely impractical and potentially costly. However, if you are staying for an extended period, you might inquire about short-term packages.

2. Rugby:

Rugby has a smaller following in Albania compared to football, so dedicated broadcasts might be less common on local linear TV. However, there are some international streaming options:

• RugbyPass TV: This is an excellent global option. RugbyPass TV is a streaming platform launched by World Rugby, and it offers live and free access to a significant amount of rugby content from around the globe. Many international matches and championships are broadcast here, often in markets that don’t have a local broadcaster. You should be able to access this via internet in Albania.
• DAZN: DAZN is available in Albania and lists “Rugby Union” among its sports.⁶ While it’s known for boxing and other sports, it’s worth checking their specific schedule when you are there to see if they are showing any major rugby events. You would need a DAZN subscription.
• Sports Bars: Similar to football, a few sports bars might show major international rugby tournaments (like the Six Nations or Rugby World Cup) if there’s sufficient demand, but it’s less guaranteed than football.
• Local Sports Coverage: Albanian free-to-air channels (like RTSH Sport) might show some local sports or occasional international events, but for major European football leagues or international rugby, pay-TV like SuperSport is the main source.

Important Notes for Tourists:

• VPNs: While generally used for bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming services, remember the official ban on TikTok in Albania. The ban involved the National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) instructing internet service providers to block access to TikTok’s IP addresses, DNS servers, and other digital infrastructure associated with the platform and its parent company, ByteDance.
• Other Social Media and Streaming Services: No General Ban Apart from TikTok, there is no general ban on other major social media platforms or streaming services in Albania.
• While it doesn’t apply to Netflix or HBO Max, some users choose to use VPNs for general internet privacy. Using a VPN for a streaming service might allow you to access your home country’s library, but it’s not strictly necessary for Netflix or HBO Max (after its launch) in Albania.