EFL League One Fixtures, Scores & How to Watch

League One is the third level of the English Football League system, but don’t let the number fool you — the drama, loyalty, and energy in this division rival anything seen in top-flight football.

EFL League One Fixtures, Standings & Where to Watch Live

Follow upcoming matches, live standings, and TV coverage for every League One game—all in one place.

League One Origins & Competitive Format

Video courtesy of Official EFL YouTube Channel

Discover how League One evolved and what makes its structure so compelling today.

History & Evolution

EFL League One was introduced in 2004 when the Football League rebranded its divisions. It replaced the old Second Division and now forms the third tier of English football. Its roots trace back to the original Football League expansions of the early 20th century, as outlined on the official EFL League One page.

Season Format & Promotion Rules

Each of the 24 clubs plays 46 matches — once home and away against every other side. The top two clubs earn automatic promotion to the Championship. Teams finishing 3rd to 6th enter a playoff, while the bottom four are relegated to League Two. The EFL season calendar sets the framework for these crucial fixtures.

Teams That Shine or Struggle

Explore which clubs have dominated League One and which have faced repeated relegation battles.

Most Successful League One Clubs

Plymouth Argyle have won the title five times — more than any other club. Other standout teams include Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday. Clubs like Portsmouth and Sunderland used League One as a platform for resurgence. You can find a full list of recent champions on Wikipedia’s League One page.

Clubs That Struggled to Stay Afloat

Teams such as Bury and Macclesfield Town suffered financial collapse and expulsion, while others like Rochdale and Morecambe have frequently battled relegation. Despite these setbacks, smaller clubs continue to punch above their weight thanks to loyal local support.

Legendary Players & Notable Performers

League One has launched many big names while producing legends at club level.

Memorable League One Icons

Strikers like Will Grigg became cult heroes during Wigan’s promotion campaigns, while midfielders like Barry Bannan remain key figures. The 2022 Player of the Season Scott Twine made his mark with MK Dons before moving to Burnley.

Emerging Talent Making Headlines

Recent seasons have seen the rise of stars like Jay Stansfield at Birmingham City, signed under the new American-led ownership group featuring Tom Brady. These players are tracked closely by Championship and Premier League scouts alike.

League One’s Financial Picture

Dive into how clubs operate financially, from TV revenue to transfer spending and wage control.

New Money & Ownership Changes

League One has seen an influx of investment — most notably from celebrities. Tom Brady’s involvement with Birmingham City and the Hollywood-backed rise of Wrexham have shifted spending trends. Clubs now make multi-million-pound signings, once unheard of at this level.

TV Revenue and Solidarity Payments

League One clubs earn around £730,000 annually in solidarity payments from the Premier League. Additional income comes from EFL TV rights and streaming services like iFollow. However, financial disparity remains large compared to the top tiers.

Wage Inflation & Sustainability Rules

Despite lower income, wage bills have soared. According to 888Sport salary data, top League One players can earn over £20,000 per week. To manage risk, clubs are bound by EFL financial fair play rules, including a wage cap set at 60% of turnover.

What Makes League One a Must-Watch Division

Beyond promotion races and financial drama, the human element makes League One uniquely compelling.

Playoff Intensity & Unpredictability

The League One playoffs are among the most exciting events in the football calendar. The final is hosted at Wembley Stadium, and it’s often filled with drama, penalties, and underdog victories.

Community Spirit & Loyal Fanbases

Stadiums across the division—from The Valley to Fratton Park—regularly draw crowds between 10,000–25,000. These fans provide an atmosphere that rivals higher divisions and reflects the league’s deep-rooted local pride.

Media Spotlight & Global Appeal

Thanks to Hollywood-style ownership stories and playoff spectacles, League One is gaining global visibility. Documentaries, viral goal clips, and wider media coverage continue to attract interest from fans outside the UK.

Where to Watch EFL League One Matches

Stream or view every EFL League One game, whether you’re in the UK, USA, Canada, Middle East, or beyond.

UK: Sky Sports & Sky Sports+ (NOW TV)

From 2024/25 onward, Sky Sports holds exclusive UK rights to all EFL matches — League One included — under a £935m, five-year deal. Sky Sports+ platform (accessible via Sky TV or NOW TV passes) will broadcast over 1,000 EFL games each season, including every League One side at least 20 times live. The traditional 3 pm Saturday blackout is lifted for opening weekends, allowing full coverage of the season launch. More details on Sky’s expanded coverage are available on Sky Sports official schedule guide.

USA: CBS, Paramount+ & Club Services

In the United States, CBS Sports won a multi-year rights deal to air EFL matches—covering at least 38 games each season across League One and Two plus all playoffs. Select matches stream on Paramount+, while international fans may use club subscription services or iFollow for live and on-demand access. Learn more via Paramount+’s English Football League hub and CBS’s press release outlining the agreement.

Canada & MENA: DAZN & beIN Sports

In Canada, DAZN exclusively broadcasts EFL leagues—including League One—via its streaming platform. Across the Middle East and North Africa, beIN Sports holds rights through 2028, offering live broadcasts and replays via its channel network and online services like beIN CONNECT. Confirmed details are listed on Wikipedia’s broadcasting contracts summaries for Canada and the MENA region.

International: iFollow & Club Streams

Outside primary territories, iFollow remains the official global digital platform for watching League One. Many clubs also operate their own streaming services for non-UK & Ireland fans to view matches not shown on Paramount+ or CBS. Check your club’s website for subscription options and local availability.

Free-to-Air & Highlights: ITV & talkSPORT

ITV will show selected EFL matches (including EFL Cup and league games featuring high-profile derbies) free-to-air in the UK, with highlights available on ITV4 and ITVX. Radio lovers can tune in via talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra for live commentary and post-match analysis.

Key UK Viewing Changes

The 2025/26 opening weekend will see Sky broadcast every League One match—including the 3 pm Saturday fixtures—thanks to a temporary exemption from UEFA’s blackout rule. Sky Sports viewers can access games via Sky TV, NOW streaming, or the Sky Sports app with full voice search and flexible membership options.

Frequently Asked Questions