ESPN has expanded its already robust NFL game package in Australia and New Zealand, courtesy of a new long-term broadcast rights agreement with the National Football League beginning with the 2021-22 NFL season.
The new 10-year plus multi-territory deal between ESPN and The National Football League, which was announced earlier this year, extends ESPN’s partnership with the NFL through the 2032/33 season.
ESPN viewers will see more NFL content than ever before across ESPN, ESPN2, the ESPN App, ESPN.com.au and social platforms.
ESPN’s core NFL broadcast package in Australia and New Zealand for season 2021-22 includes:
- 5 Pre Season games
- NFL Season Kickoff game
- 18 Sunday Night Football games
- 17 Monday Night Football games
- 18 Thursday Night Football games (*includes two Saturday games on each December 18th and Christmas Day for the 2021 season)
- 54 Sunday Afternoon games (20 more than last season)
- 3 Thanksgiving Day games
- An additional two Saturday games in Week 18 with playoff implications
- All NFL Playoff Games, including a total of 6 AFC/NFL Wildcard games, 4 AFC/NFC Divisional Playoff games, and each of the AFC and NFC Championship games
- NFL Pro Bowl
- Super Bowl
- NFL Draft
- NFL RedZone streaming via the ESPN App*
- NFL Network streaming 24/7 via the ESPN App*
- NFL Minis available on ESPN linear TV and digital platforms
In 2021-22 ESPN will deliver a minimum six live games each week, including Thursday Night Football, three Sunday afternoon games, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football.
The 2021-22 NFL season will also see the return of NFL RedZone to ESPN platforms in Australia and New Zealand. A much-loved feature of NFL coverage, NFL RedZone provides whip-around coverage of every Sunday afternoon (Monday AEST) game throughout the regular season, ensuring local fans will not miss a single touchdown or key moment.
This season will also see the addition of NFL Network content to ESPN. A 24/7 stream of the NFL Network, available through the ESPN App, will launch sometime during the 2021-22 NFL season.
In addition, ESPN will add its expert NFL analysis with its specially produced NFL Blitz shows. These shows air leading into Thursday Night Football, as a preview to the weekend slate of games, and then again before Sunday Night Football, recapping all of the excitement from the Sunday afternoon games. And once again, ESPN’s renowned Monday Night Football team, including Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick, will call the Super Bowl, the NFL’s championship game, for our fans in Australia and New Zealand.
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company Australia & New Zealand & Head of ESPN, APAC said:
“This expansion of our NFL rights demonstrates ESPN’s commitment to being the premier destination for fans across Australia and New Zealand. The NFL is one of the world’s pinnacle sports leagues and we’re proud to be taking our live coverage to the next level.”
Dedicated NFL Minis will also return to ESPN, with condensed 30-minute versions of NFL games available on ESPN platforms.
The 2021-22 NFL season begins September 10 Live on ESPN
ESPN and ESPN2 linear channels are available via Foxtel, Kayo Sports
