There will be more ways to watch the most exciting racing on water this summer, with Sky and Warner Brothers Discovery announcing an extended partnership which will see the next two iterations of SailGP in Sydney and Christchurch broadcast live on Sky Sport NZ and free-to-air on Three and Three Now.
The announcement comes just days before the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix, unfolding in Sydney 18-19 February 2023, and five weeks ahead of SailGP’s long-awaited New Zealand debut. The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch, takes place 18-19 March 2023 on Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour.
Karl Budge, New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer, SailGP said:, “Since New Zealand joined the league in Season 2, we’ve valued our partnership with Sky, which has seen SailGP go from strength to strength in the local market. With trans-Tasman events just around the corner, we’re delighted there will be more ways for Kiwis to experience the excitement of SailGP and our long-awaited home debut.
“This latest partnership highlights the significant growth of SailGP in the Asia-Pacific, and the propensity for our product among partners and fans alike.”
SailGP’s global broadcast and digital audience continues to experience exceptional growth. At the close of Season 2, in March 2021, the league’s global dedicated broadcast audience was 41.2 million, with Season 3 audience having already achieved over 100% growth on Season 2. SailGP also recently registered the highest U.S. broadcast figures for the sport in 30 years as highlights of the Range Rover France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez was watched by over 1.6 million people.
The extended partnership will also give more Kiwi fans a front row seat to the trans-Tasman rivalry unfolding between Peter Burling’s New Zealand SailGP Team – second on the Season 3 leaderboard – and frontrunners Australia - currently the only team to lift the coveted SailGP trophy. With only two events left before the winner-takes-all final in San Francisco, Burling says there will be no shortage of action for those watching at home.
“It may be a new year but it’s right at the pointed end of the season for SailGP, and the next two events are going to see every team racing to win and maximise every point. We’ve always been fortunate to enjoy strong support back home and it’s great to know more Kiwis will be able to get behind the team and this new style of racing ahead of our first-ever home event in Lyttelton,” Burling says.
To find out more, head to SailGP.com/watch.
