Live English RFU Championship TV & Broadcast Schedule

The RFU Championship is the second tier of English rugby union, sitting just below the Premiership. It's a 12-team league that runs from September through May. The competition serves as the gateway for clubs trying to reach the top flight. The season is in the final stretch, with promotion and relegation battles coming to a head.

Top teams

The Championship is a mix of former Premiership clubs and ambitious sides trying to move up. Ealing Trailfinders have been the dominant force in recent years, with a large budget and professional setup. Coventry, Bedford Blues, and Doncaster Knights are regular playoff contenders. Clubs like London Scottish, Nottingham, and Ampthill represent the traditional rugby heartlands. The league is tough. The gap between the top and bottom is wide, but promotion to the Premiership is the goal for everyone.

Format

The league has 12 teams. Each plays each other twice in the regular season. The top team is promoted automatically to the Premiership, provided they meet minimum stadium and financial standards. The next four teams go into a playoff for the second promotion spot. There's no automatic relegation from the Premiership anymore, which has changed the dynamics of the Championship. The pathway to the top flight is narrower than it used to be.

Viewership

The RFU Championship pulls around 500,000 viewers annually. The numbers are strongest in the local communities where clubs are based. The playoff final draws the biggest audience. International interest is minimal, but the league is watched by hardcore rugby fans in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa who follow English club rugby. The competition doesn't have the profile of the Premiership, but it's vital for the health of the English game.

Streaming options in the UK

Clubber TV is the main streaming platform for the RFU Championship, streaming games live. Selected fixtures may be streamed for free via the England Rugby YouTube channel, particularly when they are not picked up by other platforms. TNT Sports and Discovery+ focus primarily on the Gallagher Premiership but occasionally provide highlights or select coverage of English rugby's structures.

Streaming options in the US and Canada

RugbyPass TV often streams international rugby and lower-tier English leagues, making it a key place for international viewers to find free or low-cost streams. FloRugby frequently hosts English domestic rugby content and is the main host for Premiership and European content, often carrying Championship coverage. Premier Sports launched a dedicated rugby streaming service in Canada and is expanding its reach, making it a likely candidate for wider English domestic coverage.

International streaming options

For viewers in the Southern Hemisphere, rugby streaming platforms like NZR+ sometimes provide access to rugby from other regions. For international fans, accessing the UK-based Clubber TV or YouTube streams via a VPN is a common method for viewing. Broadcasting rights for second-tier leagues can change annually. Check the official RFU website for the confirmed streaming partner closer to the 2026-27 season.

Current season

The 2025-26 RFU Championship season kicked off in September 2025. The regular season runs through April, with the playoffs in May. Ealing Trailfinders are the defending champions and are pushing for promotion again this year. The playoff final takes place in May. The 2026-27 season begins in September 2026.