An absorbent article having a channel is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core therebetween. The channel length is at least 10% of the length of the absorbent core. The channel has at least one first portion and at least one second portion being of different compression relative to one another. The first portion extends continuously along at least 30% of the length of the channel.