Sky Sports has secured the rights to broadcast live coverage sailing’s 36th America’s Cup in New Zealand.
The deal, which sees the event return to the pay-TV broadcaster for the first time since 2013, will see Sky Sports broadcast extensive coverage of the America’s Cup World Series, Christmas Regatta and PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series, before culminating with the 2021 America’s Cup match in March 2021.
Alongside live TV coverage, Sky Sports’ digital and social channels will showcase extensive features, highlights and reports from all the key moments.
Held in Auckland with reigning champions Emirates Team New Zealand choosing the location of the event, the Prada Challenger Series, a series of round robin qualifiers, will precede the 2021 America’s Cup.
Participating in these qualifiers will be INEOS TEAM UK who are working towards Sir Ben Ainslie skippering their boat Britannia.
Alongside the British team, Italian’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team and the American Magic Team USA will also be bidding to become the 36th challenger in the America’s Cup race.
In order to do that, they must win the Prada Cup – Challenger Selection Series which will push them to their limits when it starts on 15 January, 2021.
Commenting on the deal, Sky Sports managing director Rob Webster said:
“It’s exciting to welcome back sailing to our customers in what is a bumper year for live coverage across all our channels. The America’s Cup is the pinnacle of the sport and we look forward to broadcasting such a prestigious competition.”
America’s Cup coverage returns to Sky Sports in 2021 after BT Sport covered the previous edition of the event in Bermuda in 2017.
The first chance to see all the teams in action ahead of the 36th instalment of the event will be on 17 December as part of the America’s Cup World Series, with all the action live on Sky Sports.
In addition to Sky’s live coverage, the BBC has also retained to rights to broadcast America’s Cup coverage, with pre-qualifying events to be shown in separate highlights shows over the winter, while the corporation will also simulcast live free-to-air coverage of the 36th America’s Cup match in March 2021 on BBC Two.
A two team, best of seven race series, the America’s Cup pre-dates the modern Olympics and the Ryder Cup, with a British team yet to lift the title.
Scroll down for a details of the 36th America’s Cup event schedule. For further information about the America’s Cup, visit americascup.com.
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17-20 DECEMBER
America’s Cup World Series
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15-24 JANUARY
The Prada Cup – Challenger Selection Series
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29 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY
The Prada Cup – Challenger Selection Series
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13-22 FEBRUARY
The Prada Cup – Challenger Selection Series
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10-17 MARCH
THE 36th AMERICA’S CUP MATCH
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