Scripps Sports has signed and a deal with Volleyball World and the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup Organizing Committee to hold exclusive rights to the U.S. broadcast of the Women’s Volleyball World Cup 2027 tournament.
With the deal, all 64 games in the tournament will air on ION and Scripps Sports platforms in both English and Spanish. The three-week tournament will take place in the U.S. and Canada in August and September 2027, with 32 teams competing. There are high stakes, as the three highest-finishing national teams that have not already qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will earn spots.
“The FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup is a premier global tournament that showcases the incredible athleticism and competitive intensity of the world’s best volleyball players,” said Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports. “We’re thrilled and honored to bring the 2027 event to ION and to the millions of loyal and passionate volleyball fans across the United States.”
ION, the Scripps-owned over-the-air sports and entertainment channel, reaches over 126 million households nationally. The Women’s Volleyball World Cup adds to the lineup of women’s sports which also includes the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League) and Premier Women’s Rodeo (PWR).
“This agreement represents an unprecedented level of U.S. distribution for the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup and a defining moment for the sport in this market,” said Craig Thompson, CEO of the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup 2027. “The world’s best athletes, competing in one of the most dynamic and compelling sports on the planet, will have an extraordinary platform to reach millions of fans across the country. It’s a tremendous opportunity to introduce new audiences to the power and excitement of women’s volleyball and build a new generation of fans.”
“The FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup has all the components that make for great television: elite competition, a passionate, global fan base, and significant potential for advertisers and sponsors,” said David Levy, co-CEO and Founder, Horizon Sports & Experiences. “Securing this rights deal with Scripps and ION elevates the sport to new heights, creates new commercial opportunities, and provides the athletes with a significant platform for their matches. We look forward to working closely with FIVB and ION to continue to build upon the momentum for this event.”
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