How to Watch the Dodgers Without Blackouts

If you are a Los Angeles Dodgers fan inside SportsNet LA territory and paying for MLB.TV, you already know the frustration. You have a subscription. Your team is playing. And you are staring at a blackout screen.

Here is exactly why it happens, which areas are affected in 2026, and how to fix it without adding another subscription to your bill.

Why Los Angeles Dodgers Games Are Blacked Out

Spectrum SportsNet LA holds exclusive local broadcast rights to Los Angeles Dodgers games across Southern California, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. MLB.TV cannot legally stream Los Angeles Dodgers games to viewers inside that territory, regardless of subscription status.

The Dodgers and Charter Spectrum co-own SportsNet LA, generating approximately $334 million per year — one of the most lucrative RSN deals in sports and one of the least likely blackout situations to change soon.

Las Vegas fans are simultaneously blacked out by the Angels, Giants, and Padres — the entire NL West is largely off-limits in that market.

The quick answer

You are in SportsNet LA territory, which means MLB.TV is blocked from streaming Los Angeles Dodgers games to your account. You have two real options:

  • Use StreamLocator (Smart DNS) — changes how MLB.TV sees your location. Your existing MLB.TV subscription just works, $3-7/month.
  • Pay $30+/month for SportsNet LA (SNLA+) — via direct streaming or a live TV bundle. A second expensive subscription on top of MLB.TV

To watch locally through official channels, you need to pay for SportsNet LA separately — even if you already pay for MLB.TV. Or you can make MLB.TV work the way it was supposed to.

Fix the Los Angeles Dodgers Blackout

Which Areas Are Blacked Out

Spectrum SportsNet LA territory covers Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and San Diego counties; the Las Vegas metro; parts of Nevada; and Hawaii.

Las Vegas fans are simultaneously blacked out by the Angels, Giants, and Padres — the entire NL West is largely off-limits in that market.

Where Los Angeles Dodgers Games Are Available

Spectrum SportsNet LA — Primary home for most Los Angeles Dodgers games via cable and satellite in-territory.

In-market streaming: MLB offers the SNLA+ add-on directly in the MLB App — streaming access to 140+ Dodgers games in-market, as a separate purchase starting at $30/month on top of an MLB.TV plan.

National broadcasts: Select games weekly on Fox, ESPN and NBC, Apple TV+, and Netflix.

Can You Watch the Los Angeles Dodgers on MLB.TV?

If you are outside SportsNet LA territory: yes — fully available on a standard MLB.TV subscription.

If you are inside the territory (Southern California, Las Vegas, and Hawaii): no — MLB.TV cannot stream Los Angeles Dodgers games to your account without a workaround.

How to fix it with StreamLocator (5 minutes)

  1. Create a free StreamLocator account and activate Smart DNS on your device
  2. Switch to the opposite US coast and open MLB.TV as normal
  3. Watch without the blackout screen — no VPN headaches or expensive subscriptions required

Configured at the router level, it works automatically on every device in your home. See also: Full fix guide | VPN vs Smart DNS comparison.

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Best Way to Watch the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026

Option Cost Reliability Notes
Smart DNS (StreamLocator) ⭐ ~$5/mo High Works with MLB.TV
VPN $5–13/mo Inconsistent Often blocked by MLB.TV
SportsNet LA Streaming Separate fee High In-market option
Live TV Bundle $70–100/mo High YouTube TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream support SLNA

For fans who already have MLB.TV and want the most cost-effective fix: Smart DNS is the answer. See also: MLB TV Blackouts Explained | MLB Blackout Map | Watch the Red Sox Without Blackouts.

Why StreamLocator works here

The Dodgers blackout is driven by a $334M per year RSN deal which MLB is forced to uphold. StreamLocator changes how MLB.TV sees your location reliably — Dodgers games unlock through your existing subscription. No SNLA+ add-on needed.

  • Gets you around blackouts reliably
  • No expensive SportsNet LA sub or cable bundle required
  • Setup takes 5 minutes and works automatically after that
  • Completely free 7 day trial - No card required
  • Just $3-7/month - A fraction of what a regional subscription costs
Try StreamLocator Free for 7 Days

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Dodgers games blacked out?

Spectrum SportsNet LA holds exclusive local broadcast rights. MLB.TV cannot stream Dodgers games within SportsNet LA territory.

What areas are in the Dodgers blackout zone?

Southern California counties (LA, Orange, Ventura, San Diego), Las Vegas metro, parts of Nevada, and Hawaii.

Can I watch Dodgers games without SportsNet LA?

Not through MLB.TV in-territory. Options: SNLA+ add-on, live TV bundle, or Smart DNS (StreamLocator).

Does the blackout apply to away games too?

Yes — restrictions apply to all Dodgers games on MLB.TV, home or away.

Does the blackout apply when Los Angeles Dodgers play away games?

Yes. MLB.TV blackout restrictions are location-based and apply to all Los Angeles Dodgers games — home and away. If you are in SportsNet LA territory, you are blacked out from all Los Angeles Dodgers games on MLB.TV regardless of where the game is played.