The World Surf League (WSL) is set to reach a wider audience in 2025 with an expanded broadcast agreement that will bring the entire Championship Tour to ESPN+ in the United States and Disney+ across Latin America and the Caribbean. This collaboration promises enhanced access to the elite level of professional surfing for fans worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 WSL Championship Tour will be broadcast live on ESPN+ in the U.S.
- Latin America and Caribbean fans (excluding Brazil, El Salvador, and Costa Rica) will have access via Disney+.
- All twelve Championship Tour events and the Lexus US Open of Surfing Challenger Series event will be streamed.
- The WSL’s highlight show, "WSL Inside Pro Surfing," returns to ESPN2 and will be available on-demand on ESPN+ and Disney+.
Expanded Reach for Championship Tour
In a significant move to broaden the sport’s accessibility, the WSL and ESPN have announced an enhanced rights agreement for the 2025 Championship Tour (CT). U.S. viewers can catch all the action live on ESPN+, while audiences in Latin America and the Caribbean will be able to stream the competitions on Disney+. This includes major markets such as Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and various Caribbean nations, though specific exclusions apply.
This expanded partnership ensures that all twelve CT competitions, along with the prestigious Lexus US Open of Surfing Challenger Series event, will be available live on these streaming platforms. This marks the second year of the WSL’s collaboration with ESPN, building on the success of previous seasons and aiming for even greater reach and engagement with the world’s premier competitive surfing circuit.
"WSL Inside Pro Surfing" Returns
Beyond live event coverage, the popular WSL highlight show, "WSL Inside Pro Surfing," is slated to return to ESPN2 for the entire season. Fans who miss the linear broadcast or prefer on-demand viewing will also find the show available on ESPN+ and via Disney+. This multi-platform approach aims to cater to diverse viewing habits and ensure fans don’t miss any of the drama and excitement from the tour.
Athlete and Executive Excitement
Cherie Cohen, WSL Chief Revenue Officer, expressed enthusiasm for the continued momentum, stating, "2025 will be an amazing opportunity to showcase surfing across The Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer and linear platforms." Timothy Reed, ESPN Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions, echoed this sentiment, "We’re excited to continue offering our audiences full access to the world’s best surfers as we expand our coverage across ESPN+ in the U.S. and Disney+ in Latin America and the Caribbean."
2023 World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Caroline Marks also shared her excitement, noting, "I’m stoked to be a part of the continued growth of surfing through the WSL’s expansion with ESPN. I’m excited to have the Championship Tour on these streaming platforms for our fans to watch, and it’s an incredible opportunity to reach new fans."
What to Expect in 2025
The 2025 WSL Championship Tour will feature 11 regular-season events culminating in the one-day WSL Finals, where the top five ranked men and women will battle for the world title. The season kicks off on January 27 with the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI at the iconic Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of O`ahu. Fans can find detailed viewing information on WorldSurfLeague.com/waystowatch.
Sources
- ESPN and World Surf League Expand 2025 Championship Tour Coverage to ESPN+ in the US, and Disney+ in LATAM
and Caribbean, World Surf League.
