LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Tuesday, February 12, 2019) - Today, FOX Sports and the World Surf League (WSL) announced they have reached an agreement making FOX Sports the exclusive U.S. television broadcaster for the WSL 2019 Men's and Women's Championship Tour (CT), as well as the Big Wave Tour. FOX Sports will telecast more than 500 hours of WSL programming, including live contests and highlight shows, across FOX, FS1, FS2 and the FOX Sports app in 2019.
"We're delighted with the additional coverage FOX Sports will bring to our events and millions of fans across multiple platforms," said WSL Chief Executive Officer Sophie Goldschmidt. "With our athletes continuing to take the sport to new performance levels, more people than ever can now witness the excitement of professional surfing and everything that comes with our world class events."
WSL programming premieres on FOX and the FOX Sports app with a one-hour 2019 WORLD SURF LEAGUE PREVIEW SHOW on Saturday, March 23 at 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT, highlighting the current champions, rising contenders and hard-charging rookies for the new season.
The 2019 Championship Tour begins on Wednesday, April 3 in Australia with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and Boost Mobile Pro on FS2 and the FOX Sports app. FS2 will telecast all Championship Tour contests live or close to live throughout the year.
FS2 will also present the Vans US Open of Surfing, the premiere men's and women's Qualifying Series contest that takes place in Huntington Beach, California each summer from July 27 to August 4. In addition, FS1 will feature eight, one-hour highlight shows after select contests are over. Check local listings for show times and dates.
2019 WSL Championship Tour Events:
April 3 - 13: Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and Boost Mobile Pro, Australia - Men / Women
April 17 - April 27: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Australia - Men / Women
May 13 - May 25: Bali Pro, Indonesia - Men / Women
May 29 - June 9: Margaret River Pro, Australia - Men / Women
June 20 - 28: Oi Rio Pro, Brazil - Men / Women
July 9 - 22: J-Bay Open, South Africa - Men / Women
August 21 - September 1: Tahiti Pro Teahupo'o, Tahiti - Men
September 19 - 22: Surf Ranch Pro, California, USA - Men / Women
October 3 - 13: Quiksilver Pro France and Roxy Pro France, Men / Women
October 16 - 28: MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Men / Women
November 25 - December 6: Hawaii Pro, Hawaii - Women
December 8 - 20: Billabong Pipe Masters, Hawaii - Men
2019 WSL Big Wave Tour Events:
Mavericks Challenge - Half Moon Bay, California
Nazaré Challenge - Portugal
Jaws Challenge - Maui, Hawaii
Current WSL Announcers:
Longtime WSL play-by-play announcer Joe Turpel and former World Champion Martin Potter call the action from some of the most remote and exotic surfing locations in the world. Rosy Hodge (former Championship Tour competitor) and Strider Wasilewski serve as commentators reporting from the water. In addition, Ross Williams and Big Wave Champion Peter Mel round out the commentary team.
Viewers in the US can live stream all WSL shows on the FOX Sports app, through the FOX, FS1 and FS2 streams. The shows are available on desktop at FOXSports.com and through the app store or on connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku.
For more information, visit WorldSurfLeague.com and FOX Sports Press Pass.