Key Takeaways: How to Watch Max in the U.K.
- Subscribe to a reliable VPN provider with U.S. servers, like ExpressVPN.
- Download the VPN provider’s app to your device.
- Connect to a U.S. server and start streaming Max.
Facts & Expert Analysis: Streaming Max in the U.K.
- The U.K. and Max: The word on the street is that the American streaming platform Max (formerly HBO Max) won’t set sail for the U.K. until 2026 — the year that the Harry Potter series is expected to drop.
- Current availability: Max is spreading its wings worldwide. In addition to its U.S. birthplace, the service has recently arrived in several European, Latin American and Caribbean countries. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the platform is still known as “HBO Max” as of July 2024, though this seems set to change in the near future.
- Bypassing geoblocks: Though Max isn’t available in the U.K. yet, that doesn’t mean you can’t access it. Connecting to a top VPN server in the U.S. means you can swerve past geoblocks and enjoy Max faster than you can say “tea and crumpets.”
In 2023, the American streaming platform HBO Max rebranded to “Max” in the U.S., and it has recently commenced its global rollout. However, Max is still unavailable in the U.K. and will be for a few years yet. If you need a workaround, check out our “how to watch HBO Max U.K.” guide to learn how to get an account in the U.K. and dodge geoblocks with a VPN.
Though U.K. viewers can catch some HBO content via Sky and NOW, those who want to access the full streaming service known as Max will need to use a top-notch VPN that can handle geoblocks, like ExpressVPN.
A VPN assigns you a new IP address in a country of your choice, allowing you to access content when connected to a server there. In this case, that would be the U.S. or another country where Max is available. We’ll explain everything in this guide.
How to Watch HBO Max: UK Guide
If you already have a Max account, follow these steps to stream shows and blockbuster movies on the platform in the U.K. If you don’t have a Max account, scroll to the next part to find out how to get one. You can also use a VPN to access other streaming platforms. Find out more in our best Netflix VPN, Amazon Prime Video VPN and Hulu VPN guides.
- Subscribe to a VPN
First, you’ll need to subscribe to a respectable VPN service. Go to the provider’s pricing page to explore its plans and pick one that suits your needs and budget. We recommend using ExpressVPN, which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Install the VPN on Your Device
Go to the “download” tab and select the device you want to use the VPN on. Download the VPN app’s file and open it to start the installation. If you’re installing the app on a smartphone, download it from the Apple app store (iOS) or Google Play store (Android).
- Connect to a U.S. Server
Open the app and search for a server in the U.S. (or use another location that offers Max, as content can differ by country). Click “connect.”
- Start Streaming Max
Log in to your Max account and pick what you want to watch.
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How to Get HBO Max in the UK
To sign up for Max, you need a payment method linked to a country where Max is available, so your U.K. bank card won’t work. Fortunately, there is a way to maneuver this roadblock: Use a virtual U.S. visa card service like StatesCard.
When you subscribe to StatesCard and load funds onto it, you’re assigned a virtual card (no shipping involved) with a U.S. billing address, which you can use to sign up and pay for geoblocked U.S. services like Max. You can learn more about signing up for Max with StatesCard on StatesCard’s dedicated help page.
Some sources have mentioned that you can sign up for Max by creating a U.S. Apple ID or Google Play account and then paying via PayPal. However, some users have reported that their U.K. PayPal accounts were rejected as a payment method for U.S. platforms (on iOS in particular).
ExpressVPN — Excellent VPN for Streaming Max in the UK
capability with many major platforms, including Max.
We regularly test a host of VPNs with geoblocked streaming platforms like Max. In our experience, ExpressVPN has always been at the top of the pack in terms of unblocking ability, security, privacy and ease of use. Its speeds are also among the best in the business. If you’re new to VPNs, you can explore the ins and outs of our top-recommended provider in our ExpressVPN review.
Is HBO Max Available in the UK?
No, Max (formerly HBO Max) is not available in the U.K. at the moment, but that’s set to change in the future (scroll to the next section to find out more).
For the time being, those in the U.K. with a NOW or Sky TV subscription can catch several popular HBO Max shows like ‘The Last of Us,’ ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Game of Thrones.’ However, change is afoot for the Sky-WBD partnership, too — find out more below.
When Is HBO Max Coming to the UK?
Max will finally launch in the U.K. in 2026, according to Yahoo News Singapore — meaning that a long wait is on the cards for HBO fans in the land of tea, weather talk and over-apologizing.
The Yahoo report also links the Max launch in the U.K. to the release of the upcoming Harry Potter series, where David Zaslav — the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO — explains that the company is “aiming for a debut in 2026.”
HBO Max UK Launch: Cutting Ties With Sky in 2026
Thus far, Warner Bros. Discovery’s partnership with Sky Atlantic has prevented Max from rolling out to U.K. viewers. However, the deal is due to come to a close at the end of 2025. A report by Deadline quotes Gerhard Zeiler — the president of WBD — in reference to launching Max in the U.K., Germany and Italy:
“Sky was always a great partner for us, and it’s still a great partner today. That’s number one. But we want, we need to, and we will launch Max in these three markets.”
Gerhard Zeiler–president of WBD
Costs: HBO Max Price in the UK
Max isn’t currently offered in the U.K., but farther up, we touched on how you can get a U.S. subscription via a virtual payment card like those offered by StatesCard.
In the U.S., Max prices start from $9.99 per month (with ads and streaming on up to two devices), which is roughly £8.00 based on the exchange rate. Please note that you can’t download content to watch offline with the ads plan; you must have at least the Ad-Free plan to use this feature.
In some countries — like France, where Max is new — the service is a little cheaper, starting from €5.99 per month with ads. This works out to around £5.00 or $6.50 (approx). If you have a payment method linked to a country where Max is cheaper, such as France, you can connect to a VPN server there and pay for an account on the Max website for that country.
Can You Watch HBO Max in the UK for Free?
NOW — a U.K. streaming service that hosts some HBO content — has a seven-day free trial for new subscribers, meaning you can temporarily indulge in shows like ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘Euphoria.’
Unfortunately, Max itself doesn’t offer a free trial — something to bear in mind if you opt for the full experience by subscribing to Max U.S. with a virtual U.S. payment card. Furthermore, we can’t be sure if Max will offer a free trial in the U.K. when it arrives there.
Final Thoughts
While Max has spread to various European markets, it has yet to reach the U.K. Meanwhile, U.K. viewers can watch some HBO content via the NOW or Sky channels, but there’s always the option to connect to a U.S. VPN server to bypass the geoblocks. Remember, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Max, and you can see for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Do you plan to get a Max account via a virtual payment method, or are you happy to wait it out until Max officially launches in the U.K.? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: UK HBO Max
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Max hasn’t launched in the U.K. yet, though some HBO content is on NOW and Sky. However, U.K. viewers who lack a U.S. payment method can get a virtual U.S. payment card like StatesCard to sign up for Max U.S. You’ll also need to download a VPN and connect to a U.S. server to pay for and use Max.
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Warner Bros. Discovery (which owns HBO) has a deal with the U.K. TV provider Sky, which means Sky has the rights to broadcast some HBO content. Max can only make its move in the U.K. when the deal with Sky ends, which is set for the end of 2025.
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Max hasn’t launched in the U.K. yet, though some HBO content is on NOW and Sky. However, U.K. viewers who lack a U.S. payment method can get a virtual U.S. payment card like StatesCard to sign up for Max U.S. You’ll also need to download a VPN and connect to a U.S. server to pay for and use Max.\n”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Why Is HBO Max Not in the U.K.?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
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