Soccer on Fox Sports
Fox currently airs soccer matches in the United States. These matches are from the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Women's World Cup, the UEFA European Championship, the Gold Cup, Copa América, MLS, and Liga MX. Fox formerly aired the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, the Premier League, the Bundesliga, the Serie A, and the FA Cup.
| Soccer on Fox Sports | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Soccer telecasts |
| Presented by | Rob Stone |
| Theme music composer | Peter Calandra |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 3+ hours (or until game ends) |
| Production company | Fox Sports |
| Release | |
| Original network | Fox Fox Sports 1 Fox Sports 2 Fox Soccer Plus |
Current contracts
FIFA
On October 22, 2011, FIFA awarded English-language rights to its tournaments to Fox from 2015 through 2022, including the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2015 (which would mark Fox's first professional FIFA tournament broadcast) and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, replacing ESPN and ABC. In February 2015, the contract was extended to 2026, in what was reported to be compensation for the re-scheduling of the 2022 World Cup to late-November/mid-December (which conflicts with the regular seasons of most major U.S. leagues, including the NFL) due to the climate of the host country.[1][2] Fox's coverage could end after the 2026 FIFA World Cup as ESPN is interested in the 2030 FIFA World Cup[3]
UEFA
Fox replaces ESPN as the new home of the UEFA national tournaments. This six-year agreement will including the next two editions of European Championship as well as the UEFA Nations League, UEFA qualifying competitions, and all friendly matches controlled by UEFA.[4] FuboTV will stream matches via sublicensing from Fox.[5]
CONCACAF
Fox exclusively airing most of CONCACAF Clubs and Nations Championship until 2022-2025, including Gold Cup,[6] Champions League, and both Men's and Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament.
CONMEBOL
Fox reached a long-term agreement with CONMEBOL for airing their South American men's and women's soccer tournament, highlighted with Copa América and Copa América Femenina also including World Cup and Olympic qualifiers. This six-year agreement will kick-off this June with 2021 Copa América.[7]
Liga MX
In May 2018, Fox Sports acquired the rights to Tijuana, Monterrey, and Santos home matches. These matches started airing across Fox Sports in late July 2018, with the exception of Santos matches which will begin in 2019. In July 2022, their coverage was expanded with addition of Juárez home matches. Matches are broadcast on FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes, and the Bally Sports regional networks in the Western U.S.
MLS
Fox aired weekly Major League Soccer (MLS) matches on Sunday afternoons and evenings. Rob Stone hosted in the studio alongside studio analysts Alexi Lalas and Maurice Edu. John Strong and Stuart Holden called the weekly matches from site. (See Major League Soccer on television.) Most of the coverage moved to Apple TV+ after 2022. Fox will still continue to air games as sole linear partner through the 2026 season.[8][9][10][11]
Coupe de France
Fox acquired the rights to the Coupe de France in 2023 from beIN Sports.[12]
Canadian Premier League
In August 2020, Fox Sports became the first American broadcast partner of the Canadian Premier League.[13]
Former rights
Bundesliga
Fox aired the Bundesliga since 2015 and aired all 306 league games and relegation playoffs via FS1, FS2, and Fox Soccer Plus. The pre-game and halftime show is hosted by Ian Joy or Kate Abdo, and two pundits (rotation).[14] The lead commentator was Keith Costigan. The 2019–20 season was the networks' last broadcasting the Bundesliga as ESPN picked up the rights.
DFL-Supercup
Fox has aired the German DFL-Supercup since 2015 and only airs select tournament matches.[15]
Premier League
Fox Soccer aired the English Premier League from 2000 to 2013. In the later years of their coverage, Fox had a studio pregame show first hosted by Christian Miles until 2011, then by Rob Stone. Studio analysts were Warren Barton, Eric Wynalda, and Keith Costigan. Commentary was provided by former corporate sibling Sky Sports.
FA Cup
Fox previously aired the English FA Cup since 2014, until their rights expired in 2018. ESPN has since acquired these rights. FA Cup coverage was hosted by Rob Stone or Kate Abdo alongside a rotation of analysts including Warren Barton, Alexi Lalas, and Mario Melchiot. Lead world feed broadcast team for FA Cup was Martin Tyler and Stewart Robson.
UEFA Champions League and Europa League
Fox formerly aired the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League from 2009–18.[16] Rob Stone hosted UEFA Champions League coverage alongside a rotation of analysts including Warren Barton, Brad Friedel, Eric Wynalda, Stuart Holden, and Alexi Lalas. Lead broadcast team for non World-Feed broadcasts of UEFA Champions League from 2013–14 was Gus Johnson and Eric Wynalda, then the World-Feed broadcasts, and finally John Strong and Stuart Holden or Brad Friedel replaced them as lead commentator from 2016–18. Ian Joy or Kate Abdo hosted UEFA Europa League coverage alongside analysts Stuart Holden, Warren Barton, and Mario Melchiot. Lead broadcast team for Europa League coverage was Keith Costigan and Alexi Lalas. For World-Feed broadcasts, Tony Jones and David Pleat call both UEFA Champions League Final and UEFA Europa League Final.
USMNT/USWNT
Through their MLS deal, Fox shared the right to USMNT and USWNT matches with ESPN/ABC. John Strong and Stuart Holden were the main USMNT commentators with studio coverage hosted by Rob Stone alongside analysts Alexi Lalas and Maurice Edu. USWNT commentators were JP Dellacamera with analyst Aly Wagner and studio coverage was hosted by Rob Stone, Sara Walsh, or Jenny Taft with analysts Leslie Osborne, Heather O'Reilly, Christie Pearce Rampone, and Alexi Lalas. This coverage has ended after 2022 when these rights moved to Turner Sports.[17][18]
On-air staff
Regular season
Presenters
| Name | Nationality | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Rob Stone |  | Lead MLS and international matches studio host |
| Sara Walsh | |
International matches studio host |
| Jenny Taft | |
International matches studio host |
Studio analysts
| Name | Nationality | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Alexi Lalas | | Lead MLS and international matches studio analyst |
| Warren Barton |  | International matches color commentator/studio analyst |
| Maurice Edu | | International matches studio analyst |
| Rodney Wallace |  | International matches studio analyst |
| Steve Cherundolo | | International matches guest studio analyst |
| Kelly Smith | |
International matches studio analyst |
| Heather O'Reilly | | Women's international matches studio analyst |
| Leslie Osborne | | Women's international matches studio analyst |
| Christie Pearce | | Women's international matches studio analyst |
| Melissa Ortiz |  |
Women's international matches studio analyst |
| Joe Machnik | | International matches rules analyst |
| Mark Clattenburg | | International matches rules analyst |
Play-by-play announcers
| Name | Nationality | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| John Strong | | Lead MLS and international play-by-play announcer |
| JP Dellacamera | | Lead women's international matches and #2 MLS play-by-play announcer |
| Keith Costigan |  | Liga MX play-by-play announcer, fill-in international play-by-play announcer |
| Adrian Garcia-Marquez | | Liga MX and international matches play-by-play announcer |
| Ian Darke | | FIFA World Cup International matches play-by-play announcer |
| Jacqui Oatley | | FIFA World Cup International matches play-by-play announcer |
| Jake Zivin | | International fill-in play-by-play announcer |
| Nate Bukaty | | International matches play-by-play announcer |
| Kate Scott | | International matches play-by-play announcer |
| Jorge Pérez-Navarro |  | International matches play-by-play announcer |
Color commentators
| Name | Nationality | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Stuart Holden | | Lead MLS and international color commentator |
| Cobi Jones | | Liga MX, international color commentator |
| Warren Barton | | International color commentator/studio analyst |
| Mariano Trujillo | | Liga MX and International matches color commentator |
| Aly Wagner | | International matches |
| Kyndra de St. Aubin | | Women's international matches |
| Danielle Slaton | | Women's international matches |
| Angela Hucles | | Women's international matches |
| Cat Whitehill | | Women's international matches |
Reporters
| Name | Nationality | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Geoff Shreeves | | International matches |
| Rodolfo Landeros | |
International matches |
Past international coverage and broadcast teams
References
- "FIFA grants Fox U.S. TV rights for World Cup through 2026". SI.com. Retrieved 2018-07-27.
- Longman, Jeré (21 October 2011). "Fox and Telemundo Win U.S. Rights to 2018 and 2022 World Cups". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-27.
- "ESPN wants FIFA 2030 World Cup rights". World Soccer Talk. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
- "FOX Sports Scores Media Rights to UEFA European Championship in Landmark Deal". Fox Sports Press Pass. November 3, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- "fuboTV Acquires Exclusive Rights to Select UEFA National Team Football and UEFA European Championship Matches Through FOX Sports". ir.fubo.tv. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- "Fox to televise 2021 and 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cups". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
- "FOX Sports Becomes the Home of South American National Team Soccer with Long-Term Conmebol Deal". Fox Sports PressPass. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- "Apple, MLS announce 10-year streaming partnership". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
- "Apple, MLS announce 10-year streaming partnership". AP NEWS. 2022-06-14. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- Young, Jabari. "As TV Deals Expire, Major League Soccer Fields Smaller Offers From ESPN, Fox Sports". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- Poindexter, Owen (2022-07-21). "MLS Eyes Reduced Linear Rights After Huge Streaming Deal". Front Office Sports. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- "FOX Sports acquire Coupe de France rights in USA". World Soccer Talk. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- "How to watch RB Leipzig vs PSG, Bayern Munich vs Lyon". 18 August 2020.
- Phillip Quinn (October 14, 2014). "Fox Sports secures Bundesliga's USA television rights beginning 2015-2016". SBNation. Vox Media. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
- "Bayern Munich-Dortmund German Supercup to be featured on FOX network". World Soccer Talk. July 21, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- "Turner's soccer shocker". Sports Business Daily. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 2018-07-27.
- Koons, Zach (March 2022). "U.S. Soccer Will Be Broadcast On Two Different Networks Starting in 2023". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- Tenorio, Sam Stejskal and Paul. "U.S. Soccer agrees to 8-year English-language media rights deal with Turner Sports and HBO". The Athletic. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- "Clint Dempsey joins FOX Sports for World Cup 2022 coverage". 16 May 2022.