The 2026-2027 EFL Championship season starts Friday, Aug. 14, and you can watch every match live and on demand on Paramount+.
The Championship is the top division of the English Football League (EFL), with 24 clubs competing for promotion while trying to avoid relegation. This season’s clubs include Wrexham, Birmingham City, Swansea City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United, Southampton, among others. When we say EFL: Expect Everything, we mean it.
Here’s what you need to know about how to watch EFL Championship matches live throughout the 2026-2027 season.
How to watch matches on Paramount+
Every EFL Championship match in the 2026-2027 season streams live and on demand on Paramount+.
To start watching, sign in to Paramount+ on your favorite supported device or smart TV, and find the EFL. If you miss a match live, you can also watch it on demand.
The Championship is one of three divisions that make up the English Football League, along with League One and League Two. Each division features 24 clubs.
A select number of select League One and League Two matches will also be available to stream during the season.
When does the season start?
The 2026-2027 EFL Championship season starts Friday, Aug. 14, with Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Blackburn Rovers at 3 PM ET/12 PM PT.
The Championship’s opening weekend runs Aug. 14-16. Other opening-weekend matches include Bolton Wanderers vs. Preston North End, Sheffield United vs. Birmingham City, Burnley vs. West Ham United, and Watford vs. Southampton. Wrexham opens its Championship campaign against Cardiff City on Monday, Aug. 17.
Search for EFL on Paramount+ to see the full live schedule, or check out the EFL Championship schedule on CBSSports.com.
The schedule is subject to change.
Which teams are in the EFL Championship in 2026-2027?
The 2026-2027 EFL Championship features 24 clubs:
- Birmingham City
- Blackburn Rovers
- Bolton Wanderers
- Bristol City
- Burnley
- Cardiff City
- Charlton Athletic
- Derby County
- Lincoln City
- Middlesbrough
- Millwall
- Norwich City
- Portsmouth
- Preston North End
- Queens Park Rangers
- Sheffield United
- Southampton
- Stoke City
- Swansea City
- Watford
- West Bromwich Albion
- West Ham United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Wrexham
All 24 clubs compete throughout the season for their place in the Championship table, and a chance at promotion to the Premier League. Each season, three Championship clubs earn promotion to the Premier League.
Which stars play in the EFL?
The EFL has been part of the journey for some of the biggest names in world soccer. Jude Bellingham, Michael Olise, and Eberechi Eze started their careers with EFL clubs. Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, and Reece James have also played in the EFL. FIFA World Cup star Emiliano Martinez is another notable name to have featured in the competition.
There’s plenty of star power to watch in the 2026-2027 EFL Championship season, too. West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen and Mexico international Raul Jimenez are among the established names set to compete this season.
U.S. fans can also follow several American players in the EFL. USMNT players Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, and Max Arfsten are all with Middlesbrough, while Patrick Agyemang, George Campbell, Damion Downs, Charlie Kelman, and Kristoffer Lund are among the other American-linked players competing across the EFL.
Can I watch EFL Championship matches live?
Yes. Every EFL Championship match is available to watch live on Paramount+ during the 2026-2027 season.
That includes matches throughout the season, beginning with the Aug. 14 opener between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers.
Can I watch EFL Championship matches on demand?
Yes. EFL Championship matches are available to stream both live and on demand on Paramount+.
That means you can watch matches as they happen or catch up afterward on Paramount+.
What is the EFL Championship?
The EFL Championship is the top division of the English Football League, the football competition established in 1888.
The EFL consists of three 24-club divisions: the Championship, League One, and League Two. Championship clubs compete throughout the season to climb the table, earn promotion to the Premier League, and avoid relegation to League One. Each season, three Championship clubs are promoted to the Premier League. The play is action-packed, and lives up to the slogan, EFL: Expect Everything.
The 2026-2027 Championship season begins Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, with every match available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
