UK pay-television broadcaster BT Sport and public-service broadcaster the BBC have acquired rights to all sailing events under the banner of the 35th America’s Cup.
Beginning with the opening races of the America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth, England on July 25-26, BT Sport will offer live coverage of all America’s Cup racing to viewers in the UK and Ireland through to the finals, which take place in Bermuda in 2017.
The BBC will carry highlights programming from the America’s Cup after acquiring free-to-air rights for the event.
Highlights from the 2015-16 America’s Cup World Series – including the Portsmouth events – as well as the 2017 America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs and America’s Cup Finals are included in the BBC agreement.
The deals mean viewers in the UK and Ireland will be able to watch Sir Ben Ainslie (pictured), the most decorated Olympic sailor in history, lead the British challenge to win the oldest trophy in international sport through his Ben Ainslie Racing team.