Today, Rhode Island FC announced its television broadcast schedule for the upcoming 2024 USL Championship season. Head Coach Khano Smith’s club enters its first season competing in the league, and fans will be able to follow the club all year long.
On the national stage, RIFC will be featured on CBS Sports Network when the team visits Birmingham Legion FC on July 17. The club’s remaining 33 matches will be available to stream through ESPN+ and the CBS Sports Golazo Network. Regionally, the 2024 RIFC schedule is set to feature 21 matches on exclusive local broadcast partner NESN.
“We couldn’t be happier to finalize the matches that will be available to our fans through our partnership with NESN, who has set the standard for viewing live sports in the region,” said Rhode Island FC president Brett Luy. “It was important for us to make sure every match was easily accessible and that we provided multiple viewing options. To combine a nationally televised broadcast with the opportunity to be viewed alongside some of the most popular and influential professional sports brands in the region in the club’s inaugural season through NESN, is a critical step in our history. We look forward to welcoming all fans who discover the pride, energy, and passion generated by Rhode Island FC in our ongoing efforts to be A Club for All Rhode Island.”
RIFC’s local broadcasts on NESN and NESN+ begin with the season opener from Beirne Stadium on Saturday, March 16 at 4 p.m. (NESN) and continue with the first away match of the season against Monterey Bay F.C. on March 24 at 6 p.m. (NESN). A total of 15 home matches will air on New England’s premier regional sports cable and satellite television network, including five on NESN and ten on NESN+. Including Monterey Bay F.C., six RIFC away broadcasts will be available to watch on NESN throughout the season: Hartford Athletic (June 1, 7 p.m., NESN+), Louisville City FC (June 22, 8 p.m., NESN), Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Sept. 7, 7 p.m., NESN), San Antonio FC (Sept. 28, 8:30 p.m., NESN) and Charleston Battery (Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m., NESN).
In addition to watching directly on NESN or NESN+, viewers in New England can watch RIFC matches on the NESN 360 app via direct subscription or by logging in with their TV provider. To find a TV provider that carries NESN and NESN+, visit GetNESN.com. To sign up for NESN 360 for 24-7 access to both networks, visit NESN360.com.
After the United Soccer League’s recent ESPN renewal announcement, RIFC will be featured on ESPN+ 29 times in 2024. The digital platform will be joined by the CBS Sports Golazo Network, where an additional four matches will be featured.
RIFC’s clash in Birmingham on the national stage marks the return of Head Coach Khano Smith, who spent four successful seasons (2019-2022) helping lead Legion FC after becoming one of the club’s initial hires ahead of its first season in 2019.
For additional information on RIFC’s digital providers, visit plus.espn.com and cbssports.com.
The broadcast slate includes one change to the RIFC home schedule. The club’s match against defending champions Phoenix Rising FC has been shifted to Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m.
RIFC kicks off the 2024 USL Championship season at Bryant University’s Beirne Stadium on March 16 at 4 p.m. against New Mexico United. Limited tickets are available now and can be purchased at rhodeislandfc.com/tickets, by calling 401-955-RIFC (7432) or at the Beirne Stadium box office on matchday, pending availability. RIFC Single Match Tickets, Group Tickets, Season Ticket Memberships, Flex Plans and Mini Plans are all available now to purchase.