Spring sports are in full bloom, and there are several major sporting events taking place across the globe this season. We’ve chosen five leagues in particular that are worth checking out—especially if you’re more of a neutral viewer.
As a bonus, don’t miss our guide to the best fantasy sports leagues to join this spring for extra seasonal enjoyment.
#5: United States Football League (USFL)
Professional football isn’t taking a break this year, as the XFL kicked off the week after the Super Bowl, and the USFL returns on April 15.
This year, USFL matchups will occur in four hub cities: Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; Canton, Ohio; and Detroit, Michigan. Eight teams will play ten games each, with the top two from both divisions competing for a spot in the final at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Because this is the second season of the USFL, we expect the competition quality to improve. But spring football is very unpredictable, which is why we love it.
Fortunately, there are several easy options for watching the league on TV, and we break it all down in our How to Watch the USFL guide.
#4: National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
In case you didn’t know, women’s soccer is on the rise worldwide. Increased sponsorship and more substantial broadcast deals are helping the sport become more visible than ever before.
The NWSL is a perfect example of this growth. For the 2022 season, the league expanded to 12 teams by introducing Angel City Football Club and San Diego Wave Fútbol Club. Now, there’ll be no shortage of action during the league’s 11th season.
Things kick off on March 25 with the NWSL Challenge Cup running concurrently with the NWSL regular season. It all builds up to the NWSL Playoffs—set to occur this November.
If you’re just getting into women’s soccer, the NWSL is the perfect place to start. Most games will stream live on Paramount+, with other matchups airing on CBS and CBS Sports Network.
Pro tip: Whether you’re after a cable, satellite, or live TV streaming service, we break down the best ways to catch your favorite sports leagues in our sports guide.
#3: Masters Tournament
Teeing off this spring in Augusta, Georgia, is the 87th edition of the Masters Tournament. Taking place April 6–9, the marquee golf invitational is one of the more celebrated stops along the PGA Tour. It’s also one of the four annual competitions known as “the majors,” which is the epitome of prestige within the golfing world.
Only the best-proven golfers receive an invite to the Masters. With around 100 participants, it’s one of the more exclusive golfing tournaments out there. This makes winning the event an incredibly humbling achievement—especially when the victor can finally don the iconic green jacket.
This season, you can watch the tournament in a couple of different ways. The first way is the more traditional route of tuning in to ESPN for the first two rounds and CBS for the final two rounds. You can also stream the Masters on ESPN+, which offers four-day coverage and additional golf-centric programming.
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#2: Major League Baseball (MLB)
Nothing says spring sports more than baseball, and there’s no lockout this year to hold back MLB.
Spring Training kicked things off in late February, but the 2023 regular season will officially commence on March 30. (Side note: don’t miss the World Baseball Classic this March.)
Despite a 2022 season that saw the New York Yankees dominate on every level, the Houston Astros are the two-time World Series defending champions. Will anyone stop those red-hot Astros? You’ll have to tune in to find out.
Trade your winter hat for a baseball cap and catch the most MLB games this season by viewing our How to Watch MLB Games guide. We also have a list of the 10 Best Baseball Movies to Stream to keep your baseball spirit alive when your favorite team isn’t playing.
#1: UEFA Champions League (UCL)
There’s perhaps no other league in the world with as much grandeur as the UEFA Champions League. The almost year-long tournament brings together the top soccer clubs from across Europe to determine the best of the best.
So what does the Champions League have to do with spring sports? Well, the most entertaining part of the tournament takes place from February to May.
After several qualifying rounds and a massive group stage, the Champions League really ups the ante in its knockout phase. You can watch it unfold live on Paramount+, though we highlight other viewing options on our How to Watch the Champions League page.
