How To Watch the CFL 2023
Football is back in the Great White North, and we compiled the best ways to watch CFL games in the U.S. this season.
The Canadian Football League (CFL) features eight teams battling from June to November for a chance to win the coveted Grey Cup. This season, stateside viewers can watch 34 regular-season games on CBS Sports Network. All remaining matchups—including the CFL Playoffs—will stream for free on CFL+.
Hulu + Live TV is the MVP service for watching the CFL because it has CBS Sports Network and many other channels for watching NFL and UFL games. The live TV streaming service also includes unlimited DVR storage and access to ESPN+ and Disney+ at no extra cost.
Our TV scouts have your full CFL viewing report below—including a closer look at the CFL channels.
What channels have CFL games?
During the 2023 season, you can watch CFL games on CBS Sports Network and CFL+ in the U.S. This is a departure from the CFL’s previous broadcasting agreement with ESPN that saw games on ESPN2, ESPNews, and ESPN+.
For Canadian viewers, all CFL games air across TSN’s channels—including select Canadian French–language coverage on RDS and RDS2.
Pro tip: If you want radio coverage, you can listen to every CFL game on SiriusXM satellite radio. Most games stream on Canada Talks (ch. 167).
CFL schedule: key events and channels
From the CFL Draft in May to the Grey Cup championship in November, there’s loads of CFL action to observe each year. Below is a list of the most prominent CFL events this season, but you’ll want to check out the official CFL schedule for specific matchups and game times.
| Event | Start date | U.S. channels | Canada channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 CFL Draft | May 2, 2023 | N/A | TSN, TSN+ |
| CFL Touchdown Atlantic | July 29, 2023 | CBS Sports Network | TSN, RDS |
| CFL Division Semifinals | November 4, 2023 | CFL+ | TSN, RDS |
| CFL Division Finals | November 11, 2023 | CFL+ | TSN, RDS |
| 110th Grey Cup | November 19, 2023 | CFL+ | TSN, RDS |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV providers for CFL games
- Editor’s choice: Hulu + Live TV ($76.99–$89.99/mo.)
- Cheapest: CFL+ (Free)
- Best cable or satellite provider: DIRECTV ($69.99–$159.99/mo.)
Editor’s choice: Hulu + Live TV
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Unlimited cloud DVR (for 9 mos.)
- ESPN+ and Disney+ bundle included
Cons
- Small sports channel lineup
- Only 2 simultaneous streams allowed
Hulu + Live TV is the best TV provider for watching the CFL because it’s the cheapest way to get CBS Sports Network.
With ESPN+ incorporated into Hulu + Live TV at no extra cost, you’ll get access to many other sports leagues in one place. That’s hard-to-find convenience, as sports leagues scatter games across various channels and streaming services.
If your football fandom extends beyond the CFL, Hulu + Live TV has all the essential channels for watching NFL, UFL, and NCAA college football games. After all, the ESPN channels alone are home to Monday Night Football matchups and over 40 college bowl games. ESPN2 even airs the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) Pro National Championship game each summer.
With all that coverage, we’re happy to report that Hulu + Live TV also has unlimited cloud DVR storage space—a vital feature for any sports fan. The DVR allows you to record and hold onto any game, series, or movie for up to nine months.
Cheapest: CFL+
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Exclusive CFL games
- Free access
Cons
- No on-demand access
- Limited device compatibility
It’s a no-brainer that you’ll need CFL+ to watch most CFL games this season. Introduced in 2023, the streaming platform is completely free and shows CFL on TSN broadcasts. But it has many limitations.
The first notable downside to CFL+ is that it’s accessible only on desktop and mobile devices using a web browser. In other words, don’t expect to find CFL+ on streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
Even when you access CFL+, it’s a pretty bare-bones experience. You can only watch live games (no on-demand replays), and there aren’t any studio shows or behind-the-scenes programs to enjoy when games aren’t on. You’ll want to bookmark the CFL’s YouTube channel for extra content.
Best cable or satellite provider: DIRECTV
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*w/ 24-mo. agmt. AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. and Regional Sports Fee up to $13.99/mo. are extra & apply.
Pros
- Over 20 basic sports channels
- Wide regional sports network (RSN) availability
Cons
- Expensive plans
- 2-yr. contract for new DIRECTV customers
- No NFL Sunday Ticket anymore
DIRECTV provides a robust TV experience for fans of Canadian and American football. The satellite service carries CBS Sports Network for CFL action, plus key NFL and UFL channels.
Beyond football, DIRECTV is a huge touchdown for sports fans because it offers most regional sports networks and out-of-network packages. That makes watching baseball, basketball, and hockey much more accessible, regardless of location.
In the long run, we recommend DIRECTV only to the most committed sports fans. There are many sports channels and packages to admire on DIRECTV. But Canadian football fans will still need internet access to get complete CFL coverage through CFL+.
How to watch the CFL for free
Fortunately, the best part about the CFL’s latest broadcast plan is that viewers not based in Canada can watch many games for free. Select preseason games stream free on CFL Preseason Live, while CFL+ hosts over 40 regular-season matchups for free.
The only games U.S. spectators can’t watch for free are the ones that air on CBS Sports Network. But fuboTV usually offers a seven-day free trial that you could use to access CBS Sports Network without paying.
How can I watch the CFL in the US?
To watch CFL games in the U.S., you’ll need a TV plan that includes CBS Sports Network. You’ll also need online access to the free CFL+ streaming platform.
Hulu + Live TV is our favorite TV provider for watching the CFL because it has CBS Sports Network and includes ESPN+ for added sports coverage. Starting at $76.99 a month, Hulu + Live TV also has unlimited cloud DVR storage and comes bundled with Disney+ for bonus entertainment.
If streaming TV is not an option, we recommend DIRECTV and its massive channel lineups. The satellite service comes at a higher cost and includes a two-year contract, but you’ll get CBS Sports Network alongside other crucial sports channels. You’ll still need internet access for CFL+ to round out your CFL coverage, but you can find some great internet options in our DIRECTV Internet guide.
How to watch the CFL FAQ
Is CFL Game Pass available in the US?
No, CFL Game Pass no longer exists. But its successor, CFL+, is available in the U.S. and other countries outside of Canada.
Can I watch the CFL online?
Yes, you can watch CFL games on CFL+ and any live TV streaming service that carries CBS Sports Network. We recommend Hulu + Live TV because it has CBS Sports Network and includes ESPN+ for additional football coverage.
Are any CFL preseason games on TV?
Yes, select CFL preseason games stream on CFL Preseason Live in the U.S. In Canada, TSN shows select preseason matchups.
Where can I watch the CFL in Canada?
If you’re located in Canada, you can watch English-language CFL coverage across TSN’s five channels. Select games with Canadian French–language commentary air on RDS and RDS2.
Methodology
Our sports experts examined the CFL broadcast schedule to see which channels air games this season. We then spent over eight hours researching and testing TV providers to determine the best ways to watch every game. Channel offerings, pricing, and ease of use were key factors when deciding our provider recommendations.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
