Where Can I Watch The Rowdies This Year?

The 2024 season for the USL Championship will be one of the most widely broadcast in the history of the league. From local television deals for individual clubs to streaming and even national options for select games, it seems like the powers that be in the USL want to get their games in front of as many eyes as can be found.

If for some reason you’re allergic to Green & Gold, the last stadium to host a USMNT game, or even lawn flamingos, you may want to invest in a Faraday cage – because the USL will be trying to find you on cable, your computer, and in your local community. 

ESPN+

The past few years, all USL games from the Championship and the League 1 have been available on ESPN+, the streaming service for the well known Disney property ESPN. This has, of course, been the easiest way for most fans to catch their club’s games. That will continue, with the USL announcing on February 27th the extension of an eight-year partnership through 2024 and beyond. Whether home or away, if you have the ESPN+ package – or something that includes it – you can watch the Rowdies play. This subscription starts at $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year. 

What’s new this year is that there are many other ways to watch the Rowdies. With more companies offering streaming services beyond a basic cable package, it’s likely that there would be some people who would rather stick with what they’re used to. There are other internet-based options out there as well as non-streaming ones for those who have opted out entirely. First, to finish the app-based solutions for would-be watchers. 

Golazo Network

The USL this year has also struck a partnership with broadcast company CBS, current owner of the American English-language UEFA Champions League rights and home of the 24/7 soccer channel Golazo Network. This deal will mean several games streaming on that same network throughout the season from both the Championship and the League 1. Additionally, it should be noted that these will be aired for free through the CBS Sports app, PlutoTV, and on CBSSports.com. All Tampa Bay fans should check to see if they have access!

The full year’s schedule isn’t out yet; however, we do know which Rowdies games will be on the Golazo Network in March. A press release shows Tampa Bay’s first game at home against San Antonio on March 16th at 7:30 will be shown. If the home and season opener should sell out, fear not: you can catch it there! As stated, this game will be available for free with the above options, or with a subscription to Paramount+. More updates will be provided on RBLR Sports as they’re made available; but, another game will be broadcast nationally in April. 

TampaBay44 (Over The Air)

The final option for Rowdies fans will appeal to those who either don’t have any subscription service or would prefer to avoid apps and streaming in general. At the end of February, a further press release announced that 16 home games will be on local station TampaBay44! This channel, according to the release, reaches from Brooksville in the north to Port Charlotte in the south, from Kissimmee in the east to the Gulf in the west. Anyone with basic cable should be able to watch the Green and Gold play at home, except when they host New Mexico United on April 27th. This match will instead be on the CBS Sports Network’s national broadcast! 

This season will be a massive one for soccer fans on Florida’s west coast. Not only will a new women’s team be joining the fold, but the Tampa Bay Rowdies will be gunning for trophies this year, with certain of those prospects having never looked better for the club. To make sure as many people as possible can take part and cheer the team on, the front office and the USL have endeavored to make it accessible for people from all walks of life. Make sure to figure out how you can take part, too – and try to get yourself to a game in person if you can!