The drama of English football extends far beyond the top-flight Premier League. The EFL Championship is one of the world’s most grueling, competitive, and unpredictable leagues, with 24 teams playing a punishing 46-match schedule. Clubs battle for promotion to the Premier League while trying to avoid relegation to League One, giving fans a front-row seat to historic rivalries and potential top-flight stars.
If you’ve tried keeping track of lower-tier English football broadcasts in the past, finding individual fixtures can feel like a moving target. Fortunately, CBS Sports holds exclusive U.S. broadcast rights through the 2027-2028 season, offering the widest distribution of Championship matches ever available in the U.S.
Fans eager to watch EFL Championship games featuring high-profile sides like Wrexham AFC can find most coverage on one streaming platform and select CBS Sports channels. Keep scrolling for the complete U.S. viewing breakdown.
What channels show the EFL Championship?
Paramount+ is the primary U.S. streaming home for the EFL Championship. It carries at least 155 Championship matches each season, along with EFL playoff coverage and select matches from League One, League Two, the Carabao Cup, and the EFL Trophy.
CBS Sports Network and the free CBS Sports Golazo Network also air select Championship matches. Golazo supplements its live coverage with 24/7 soccer programming, while CBS Sports Network is available through many cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services.
Pro tip: When your favorite club isn’t streaming on Paramount+, check its official website for an international video pass. Clubs may offer season-long or single-match access, but availability varies by fixture and location.
EFL Championship TV schedule
The 2026-2027 EFL Championship begins on Friday, August 14, with Wolverhampton Wanderers hosting Blackburn Rovers. The 46-match regular season runs through Saturday, May 1, 2027, before the promotion playoffs determine the final club heading to the Premier League.
Championship matches typically air on Saturday mornings in U.S. time zones, with additional Friday, Sunday, and midweek windows throughout the season. Because kickoff times and U.S. broadcast assignments can change, check the CBS Sports EFL Championship schedule for the latest Paramount+ and TV listings.
Key 2026-2027 EFL Championship dates
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Season opener | Friday, August 14, 2026 | Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Blackburn Rovers at 3:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+ |
| Final regular-season matchday | Saturday, May 1, 2027 | All clubs complete their 46-match schedules |
| Championship playoffs | May 2027 | Six clubs compete for the final Premier League promotion place |
| Championship Play-Off Final | May 29, 2027 | The promotion final will take place at Wembley Stadium |
Best TV plans for watching the EFL Championship
Paramount+ is the only service most U.S. fans need to watch the EFL Championship because it streams every match selected for CBS Sports’ U.S. package. But before subscribing, check your current services and memberships. Eligible Spectrum TV customers may already receive Paramount+ Essential, while Walmart+ members can select it as their included streaming benefit.
CBS Sports Network is widely available if you prefer a traditional live TV setup, though some providers place it in higher-tier plans or sports add-ons. With both viewing styles in mind, here are our top recommendations depending on whether you want complete Championship coverage or a broader live TV experience.
Best Overall: Paramount+
Paramount+ ($8.99–$13.99/mo.) streams every Championship match carried by CBS Sports in the U.S. The Essential plan also gets you League One, League Two, and Carabao Cup coverage. Its extensive UEFA Champions League lineup makes it a strong year-round option for European soccer fans.
Upgrading to Paramount+ Premium doesn’t unlock additional Championship matches. Instead, the higher-priced plan adds a livestream of your local CBS station, mostly ad-free on-demand entertainment, and the complete SHOWTIME library. For fans primarily interested in English soccer, Essential offers the best value.
Best Live TV Companion: Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV ($88.99–$99.99/mo.) is well suited to households that want select Championship broadcasts alongside a wider mix of sports and entertainment. Its base package includes CBS Sports Network, unlimited Cloud DVR storage, and more than 100 live channels. Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited access add more year-round viewing between matchdays.
Still, only select Championship matches air on CBS Sports Network, making Hulu + Live TV a companion rather than a replacement for Paramount+. Subscribers can add Paramount+ with SHOWTIME for $13.99 a month and use their Hulu credentials in the Paramount+ app, keeping both services on one bill. But direct Paramount+ Essential remains the cheaper route for viewers focused primarily on EFL coverage.
How to watch the EFL Championship for free
While you can’t watch every EFL Championship match for free, CBS Sports Golazo Network offers select fixtures and highlights without spending a dime. The free 24/7 soccer channel is available through CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and other supported platforms.
Paramount+ doesn’t always offer a standard free trial, but you may already have access through another membership. Walmart+ members can choose Paramount+ Essential as their included streaming benefit, though only one eligible streaming service can be active at a time.
How to watch the EFL Championship FAQ
Does Paramount+ show every EFL Championship match?
No, CBS Sports carries at least 155 Championship matches each season rather than the league's complete 552-game regular-season schedule. Every match selected for CBS Sports' U.S. TV slate streams on Paramount+, with select fixtures also airing on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Can I stream EFL Championship matches through my club?
Sometimes. Many Championship clubs sell international streaming passes for matches not carried by an official broadcaster. In the U.S., fixtures selected for Paramount+ are generally unavailable through club passes, so check your club's official streaming page before purchasing access.
Do EFL matches on CBS Sports Network stream on Paramount+?
Yes. Paramount+ doesn't include the full CBS Sports Network channel feed, but Championship matches are an exception. Every fixture airing on CBS Sports Network also streams separately on Paramount+.
Can I watch EFL Championship replays on demand?
Yes, Paramount+ makes full-match replays available to all of its streamed matches after they air. Availability and posting times can vary, while viewers using a live TV provider can also record CBS Sports Network broadcasts using a compatible DVR.
How can I watch the EFL Championship in Canada?
DAZN carries EFL Championship coverage in Canada. Its DAZN+ plan also includes Premier League and Serie A matches through a partnership with Fubo Sports.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com contributing writer, Ian McLaren, researched this season’s U.S. media rights and broadcast details for the EFL Championship. He then compared those viewing requirements with CableTV.com’s existing provider resources and hands-on testing, weighing pricing, match availability, and additional soccer coverage. Together, Ian’s league-specific research and our broader TV expertise shaped the viewing recommendations in this guide.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
