ESPN networks are bringing the 2019 season of the Canadian Football League to fans in the U.S. The network signed an exclusive rights agreement to broadcast games in the United States. The season begins on June 13 when the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
What’s happening:
- ESPN networks and ESPN+ will combine to present every Canadian Football League (CFL) game live in 2019 as part of a new, multi-year, exclusive U.S. rights agreement.
- ESPN will televise at least 20 CFL games, highlighted by three on Opening Weekend.
- The television schedule also features all of the divisional semifinals, finals and 107th Grey Cup.
- ESPN+ will carry more than 65 games and kick off the CFL’s regular season schedule with the Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (June 13, 7:30 pm ET).
- All CFL games will also be available in the UK and Ireland via BT Sport and in Canada (in English exclusively on TSN and in French exclusively on RDS).
- ESPN’s long-standing relationship with the CFL began in 1980 when the network televised its first-ever live football game: a contest between the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes.
- ESPN has maintained exclusive U.S. rights to CFL games since 2014.
CFL schedule through June 2019:
|
Date |
Time (ET) |
Matchup |
Network(s) |
|
Thu, Jun 13 |
7:30 pm |
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
ESPN+ |
|
Fri, Jun 14 |
9 pm |
Montreal Alouettes vs. Edmonton Eskimos |
ESPN2 |
|
Sat, Jun 15 |
7 pm |
Ottawa REDBLACKS vs. Calgary Stampeders |
ESPNEWS |
|
10 pm |
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. BC Lions |
ESPN2 |
|
|
Thu, Jun 20 |
7:30 pm |
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Ottawa REDBLACKS |
ESPN+ |
|
Fri, Jun 21 |
9 pm |
BC Lions vs. Edmonton Eskimos |
ESPN2 |
|
Sat, Jun 22 |
4 pm |
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Toronto Argonauts |
ESPN+ |
|
Thu, Jun 27 |
8:30 pm |
Edmonton Eskimos vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
ESPN2 |
|
Fri, Jun 28 |
7:30 pm |
Montreal Alouettes vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
ESPN2 |
|
Sat, Jun 29 |
7 pm |
BC Lions vs. Calgary Stampeders |
ESPN+ |
What they’re saying:
- CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie: “It’s exciting for the CFL to continue its relationship with ESPN and expand onto ESPN+. We have seen increases in interest in the U.S. market for Canadian football and we look forward to building on the momentum and captivating American audiences for seasons to come.”
- Burke Magnus, executive vice president, programming, ESPN: “ESPN+ is an exciting new platform that is letting us directly serve fans in new ways, and we’re excited that it will help us expand the way we cover the CFL. We have a great, long-standing relationship with the CFL and look forward to bringing their dynamic league to the growing number of CFL fans in the US for years to come.”
ICYMI:
- In addition to bringing the CFL to fans, ESPN, ABC and Fox have signed deals to broadcast the XFL as the extreme league returns in 2020.
- ESPN+ will be the exclusive English–language home in the U.S. for the 2019 CONMEBOL Copa America. Soccer fans can enjoy the international tournament played in Brazil from the comfort of their home.
About ESPN+:
- ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company and ESPN.
- It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.
- Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.