Media Release: Tuesday September 5, 2017
Foxtel unveils massive spring sport offering
Missing it is not an option
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PROMO
Get set for a super spring of sport with Foxtel’s biggest ever line-up of live and exclusive sport kicking off this month from Australia and across the globe, including motorsports, rugby, tennis, cricket, AFL, NRL, football and more.
Across Foxtel’s seven FOX SPORTS channels, dedicated pop up channels, ESPN, EUROSPORT and beIN SPORTS, fans can experience all the action this spring as it happens LIVE and in HIGH DEFINITION, ensuring they never miss a single incredible sporting moment.
Highlights include:
NRL AND AFL FINALS SERIES
The NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP’s top eight has been decided and the countdown is on to the 2017 finals series. Will minor premiers Melbourne Storm continue their dominance in pursuit of Premiership glory? The Roosters and Broncos kick off the finals series this Friday night, followed by the Storm v Eels on Saturday afternoon then Sea Eagles v Panthers Saturday night with Sharks v Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.
FOX LEAGUE, Foxtel’s dedicated 24/7 rugby league channel, is the only place to watch every match LIVE in HD and ad-break free across September.
As the TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP reaches the pointy end FOX FOOTY will be the best place to watch all the Qualifying, Elimination, Semi and Preliminary Finals LIVE in HD, with no ad breaks siren to siren all on a dedicated 24/7 channel. September on FOX FOOTY is packed with special events including the Players MVP Award, Longest Kick, and the Grand Final Parade. In addition, FOX FOOTY’s weekly line-up of entertainment shows will keep fans informed across the week.
FOX FOOTY’s unrivalled commentary team includes the biggest names in the game: Eddie McGuire, Sandy Roberts, Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, Jonathan Brown, Dermott Brereton, Dwayne Russell, Alastair Lynch, David King, Brad Johnson, Gerard Healy, Mark Ricciuto, Mark Maclure, Cameron Mooney, Ben Dixon, Nick Dal Santo, Anthony Hudson and Jon Ralph.
RUGBY UNION
THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP continues in September with six huge clashes kicking off with a Wallabies v Springboks showdown in Perth on September 9. The World Champion All Blacks continue their charge squaring off against Argentina on September 9 and 30, and South Africa on September 16.

On October 21 the Wallabies and All Blacks square off for the last time in 2017 during the third BLEDISLOE CUP 2017 FINAL CLASH, airing LIVE, ad-break free during play and in HD on FOX SPORTS.
The Wallabies will also take on the Barbarians on October 28 LIVE on FOX SPORTS in their final game on home soil before kicking off on their Spring Tour.
THE WALLABIES TOUR of Europe will air in full on beIN SPORTS starting with a showdown against Wales on November 12. Michael Cheika’s team rounds out its season against England on November 19 and Scotland on November 25.
The feast of rugby continues on beIN SPORTS with the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP where Parramatta Eels star Semi Radradra laces up for Toulon after his NRL season finishes. Watch the stars who have become household Wallabies names including: Scott Fardy, Christian Lealiifano, James Horwill, Joe Tomane, Sitaleki Timani, Dave Dennis, Will Skelton and Matt Toomua – mixing it with the best players on the continent.
European Champions Cup Rugby will bring the FRENCH TOP 14 to Eurosport, which will see Semi Radradra joining the Toulon line up after his NRL season finishes; plus former Wallabies players Joe Tomane, Jesse Mogg, Mike Harris, Liam Gill, Leroy Houston, Sitaleki Timani, Ben Mowen will also take part in the action.
FOOTBALL
The Socceroos continue their campaign to qualify for their fourth consecutive World Cup on September 5 with their WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: SOCCEROOS V THAILAND match. The clash is a must win for Ange Postecoglou’s side as they look to push for a top two spot and secure automatic qualification at the World Cup in Russia next year. FOX SPORTS will showcase the action LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.
Meanwhile, the HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE returns for its 13th instalment on October 6 with a blockbuster-opening three weeks set to keep fans on the edge of their seats. FOX SPORTS will once again deliver LIVE, ad-break free during play and HD coverage of every game from Australia’s premier domestic football competition. The season kicks off with Melbourne City playing host to Brisbane Roar, with the defending champion Sky Blues in action against Melbourne Victory in a Grand Final rematch the following day.
2017 also marks the 10th anniversary season of the WESTFIELD W-LEAGUE, and FOX SPORTS will be proudly airing two matches a week.
Football fans can also catch up on the best in world Football as the action heats up on beIN SPORTS, which brings LALIGA, SERIE A & BUNDESLIGA and LIGUE 1 plus the upcoming EL CLASSICO between Barcelona FC and Real Madrid slated for December.
TENNIS
ESPN continues its live coverage of the US OPEN from New York in September. While last year’s final had Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka beating Serbian star Novak Djokovic to take his third major title, this year may feature a different cast of characters. Swiss talent Roger Federer, Spanish star Rafael Nadal and Great Britain’s Andy Murray can be expected to make noise in New York. The absence of Serena Williams and a surprise Roland Garros win by Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko makes the women’s side unpredictable and unmissable.

Fans can also tune in to US OPEN PRIMETIME with Stephanie Brantz, 8pm each and every day during the tournament to keep across the latest and best of the day’s action, including highlights, reviews and previews. ESPN is the only place to get every game of the US Open LIVE along with ATP Tennis.
beIN SPORTS also brings a host of incredible on court action with its LIVE coverage of the WTA.
CRICKET
Australia’s tour of India begins on September 17, and FOX SPORTS will be the only place to watch the AUSTRALIA V INDIA One Day International and T20 series EXCLUSIVELY LIVE and in HD across September and October. Skipper Steve Smith will lead the Aussies across five ODIs and three T20s with big hitter Dave Warner returning to the side. FOX SPORTS is also the exclusive broadcast host of the ENGLAND V WEST INDIES (September); SOUTH AFRICA V BANGLADESH (October); and NEW ZEALAND V WEST INDIES (November).
MOTORSPORT
The SUPERCHEAP AUTO BATHURST 1000 cranks into gear from October 5, and FOX SPORTS will once again deliver unparalleled coverage on a dedicated 24/7 pop up channel. In addition to LIVE, HD and continuous coverage of every session, the pop up channel, which switches on October 2, will feature classic races and a number of entertainment programs to keep fans informed across the week, including Pit Lane LIVE, Bathurst Legends and Inside Supercars. FOX SPORTS’ Supercars commentary team is spearheaded by six-time Bathurst winner, Mark Skaife, alongside ‘The Enforcer’ Russell Ingall and Jessica Yates.
Then on October 20 the MotoGP™ gets underway as the best two-wheel riders in the world head to Australia for the MICHELIN AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX. Championship leader Marc Marquez will look to repeat last year’s success, while Aussie Jack Miller will be gunning to improve on his season best sixth place finish. FOX SPORTS will showcase every MotoGP, practice, qualifying session and race LIVE in HD with no ad-breaks from lights out to the chequered flag.
FOX SPORTS is also the only place you’ll see all eight FORMULA 1 races, which will see Australia’s own Daniel Riccardo and Finland’s Kimi Räikkönen battle it out for supremacy.
BASKETBALL
There will be more basketball this spring with coverage of the NBL and WNBL LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
The 2017/18 NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE season explodes into action on October 5, when the Adelaide 36ers host Melbourne United in the opening clash. Fans will get to see two Grand Final rematches in the first month of the competition, with defending champions, Perth Wildcats and Illawarra Hawks squaring off on October 13 and 26. FOX SPORTS will show every game LIVE, with no ad breaks during play in HIGH DEFINITION with the country’s best commentary team spearheading the coverage.
The WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBAL LEAGUE returns to television on October 5, with FOX SPORTS set to broadcast a minimum of one game per week, plus every Finals match LIVE and in HD.
The Boomers begin their road to the FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP on November 24, when they clash with the Philippines, Japan and Chinese Taipei in the first stage of the Asian Qualifiers. FOX SPORTS will be the only place to watch every Boomers game LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.

AMERICAN SPORTS
The NFL kicks off on September 8 for what is always a short and intense season, with only 16 games for a team to earn a spot in the playoffs. Coverage of the NFL airs all season on ESPN/ESPN2, LIVE and on short-turnaround. ESPN is the home of NFL in Australia with Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football and NFL RedZone.
September is also a big month in MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MLB), and ESPN/ESPN2 will feature LIVE coverage of final regular season games, promising some truly tantalizing confrontations. October brings the long-awaited season finale with the arrival of the MLB PLAYOFFS (from October 4) and the MLB WORLD SERIES (from October 25), shown LIVE and on short-turnaround on ESPN/ESPN2, plus fans can catch EVERY game of the MLB Post season LIVE across ESPN and WatchESPN.
And the 72nd season of the NBA tips off with coverage of top games airing LIVE and on short-turnaround throughout the season on ESPN/ESPN2. While the Warriors and Cavaliers clearly open as favourites, the new season promises to dish up some tasty action and compelling rivalries.
October and November will see all of the action of the US MLS CUP PLAYOFFS covered live on beIN SPORTS
RACING
Finally, fans can be sure to enjoy the SPRING CARNIVAL coverage in Sydney and Melbourne as well as THE EVEREST IN SYDNEY, boasting the richest turf race in the world, which takes place on October 14 all on Sky Racing.

-Brad