SailGP announces new SBS partnership for Live Free-to-Air broadcast

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 9 February 2024 – SailGP, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports properties, has expanded its broadcast offering in Australia with the announcement of a new free-to-air partnership with the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) for the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix I Sydney on 24-25 February.
In just two weeks, Australian viewers can experience the SailGP action unfold on Sydney Harbour, with the award-winning broadcast available live on both Fox Sports, Kayo Freebies and now SBS and its free streaming service SBS On Demand.
SailGP adds to SBS’ extensive sports portfolio, which encompasses iconic events like the FIFA World Cup, Tour de France, Dakar Rally, and a myriad of other premier global sporting competitions.
Through the new partnership, SBS will broadcast the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix I Sydney live and free. The 90-minute broadcast will air on SBS from 16:00 to 17:30 AEDT on both race days, as Tom Slingsby’s Australia SailGP Team prepares to battle against nine rival nations.
In addition, a dedicated highlights programme of the remaining five Season 4 SailGP events will be made available for viewing on SBS, including the Grand Final in San Francisco, July 13-14.
Fans will be able to watch the long-standing rivalry continue to unfold between the Australians and Peter Burling’s New Zealand team who are set to be Slingsby’s main competitor for the Season 4 SailGP championship title.
SailGP’s global broadcast and digital audience continues to experience exceptional growth. SailGP has already delivered historic rating results this season, with the United States CBS broadcast of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in October topping the previous Season 3 event record, averaging 1.6 million viewers for the event.
Australia SailGP driver and CEO Tom Slingsby said: “It is a huge achievement that in just its fourth season SailGP is forging a new and exciting alliance with some of the biggest global names in sports broadcasting. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the league and by joining forces with SBS, we are ensuring that the excitement of SailGP will be experienced by a wider audience, making our sport truly accessible to all.
“Sydney was the destination for the first ever SailGP event in February 2019 and this month’s event will mark the record fifth time that our racing has been staged on our iconic Sydney Harbour. This partnership with SBS highlights the continued growth of the league in Australia and our promise to deliver great sporting moments to Australians. We can’t wait to race in front of a home crowd in Sydney, as we continue our hunt to secure a four-peat championship victory for Australia.”
SBS Director of Sport, Ken Shipp said: “We’re thrilled to be broadcasting the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix I Sydney live and free-to-air for Australians on the SBS network and SBS On Demand. SailGP is a key event on the sporting calendar and promises high speed action and an exciting rivalry between Tom Slingsby’s Australia SailGP Team and the New Zealanders.
Local audiences can also catch up on the action with the event highlights scheduled on SBS “VICELAND and SBS On Demand. We can’t wait to see the excitement in Sydney as the F50 catamarans pass the start line.”
The live free-to-air broadcast partnership with SBS for the Australia event and highlights programs is in addition to SailGP’s ongoing partnership with Fox Sports. All Season 4 SailGP events and SailGP’s behind-the-scenes docuseries Racing on the Edge will continue to be broadcast live across Fox Sports and Kayo Freebies.
The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix I Sydney will take place on 24-25 of February, with thousands of Australian fans expected to descend on Sydney Harbour to witness the Australia team compete against nine rival nations. Slingsby’s Australia team will be aiming to extend its lead at the top of the Season 4 leaderboard, to get a step closer to a potential fourth straight Championship victory. The event is proudly supported by the NSW Government’s lead agency for tourism and major events, Destination NSW.
Final release tickets to the Sydney event are on sale now and selling fast. To purchase, visit SailGP.com/Sydney.