Soccer on Fox Sports explained

Genre:Soccer telecasts
Presenter:Rob Stone
Theme Music Composer:Peter Calandra
Country:United States
Language:English
Camera:Multi-camera
Runtime:3+ hours (or until game ends)
Company:Fox Sports
Network:Fox
Fox Sports 1
Fox Sports 2
Fox Soccer Plus

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.

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] At least one match per matchday will air on FOX.

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

See also: Premier League on United States television.

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

See also: List of UEFA Champions League broadcasters and UEFA Champions League on United States television.

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
Lead MLS and international matches studio host
Sara WalshInternational matches studio host
Jenny TaftInternational matches studio host

Studio analysts

Name Nationality Coverage
Lead MLS and international matches studio analyst
International matches color commentator/studio analyst
International matches studio analyst
International matches studio analyst
International matches guest studio analyst
Kelly SmithInternational matches studio analyst
Heather O'ReillyWomen's international matches studio analyst
Leslie OsborneWomen's international matches studio analyst
Christie Pearce Women's international matches studio analyst
Melissa OrtizWomen's international matches studio analyst
International matches rules analyst
International matches rules analyst
Play-by-play announcers
Name Nationality Coverage
Lead MLS and international play-by-play announcer
Lead women's international matches and #2 MLS play-by-play announcer
Liga MX play-by-play announcer, fill-in international play-by-play announcer
Liga MX and international matches play-by-play announcer
FIFA World Cup International matches play-by-play announcer
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
Lead MLS and international color commentator
Liga MX, international color commentator
International color commentator/studio analyst
Liga MX and International matches color commentator
International matches
Women's international matches
Women's international matches
Women's international matches
Women's international matches

Reporters

Name Nationality Coverage
International matches
Rodolfo LanderosInternational matches

Past international coverage and broadcast teams

Event(s)Play-by-playColor commentator(s)ReportersStudio host(s)Studio analyst(s)
UEFA Euro 2024Ian Darke
Derek Rae
Jacqui Oatley
Darren Fletcher
Landon Donovan
Robert Green
Warren Barton
Owen Hargreaves
Geoff Shreeves
Tom Rinaldi
Michael Times
Jules BreachGiorgio Chiellini, Daniel Sturridge, Peter Schmeichel, Ariane Hingst, Alexi Lalas, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu
2024 Copa AmericaJohn Strong
JP Dellacamera
Luis Omar Tapia
Stuart Holden
Cobi Jones
Maurice Edu
Jenny Taft
Ana Jurka
Rob StoneAlexi Lalas, Carli Lloyd, Clint Dempsey, Maurice Edu, Juan Pablo Ángel
2023 Women's World CupJP Dellacamera
Jacqui Oatley
John Strong
Kate Scott
Jenn Hildreth
Aly Wagner
Lori Lindsey
Kyndra de St. Aubin
Danielle Slaton
Warren Barton
Jenny Taft
Tom Rinaldi
Rob Stone
Jenny Taft
Jimmy Conrad (World Cup Now on Twitter)
Alexi Lalas, Carli Lloyd, Karina LeBlanc, Kate Gill, Heather O'Reilly, Ariane Hingst and Stuart Holden
Mark Clattenburg and Dr. Joe Machnik (rules analyst)
Chris Fallica (Wagering expert)
Melissa Ortiz and Leslie Osborne (World Cup Now on Twitter)
2022 World CupJohn Strong
JP Dellacamera
Derek Rae
Ian Darke
Jacqui Oatley
Stuart Holden
Cobi Jones
Aly Wagner
Landon Donovan
Warren Barton
Geoff Shreeves (on loan from Sky Sports UK)
Tom Rinaldi
Rodolfo Landeros
Jenny Taft
Melissa Ortiz (World Cup Now on Twitter)
Rob Stone
Jenny Taft
Kate Abdo
Alexi Lalas, Carli Lloyd, Clint Dempsey,[19] Landon Donovan, Maurice Edu, Aly Wagner, Stuart Holden, Kelly Smith, and Eniola Aluko
Mark Clattenburg and Dr. Joe Machnik (rules analyst)
Maurice Edu and Chad Johnson (World Cup Tonight)
DaMarcus Beasley, Sacha Kljestan, Melissa Ortiz, Cobi Jones, Warren Barton, Derek Rae and Maurice Edu (World Cup Now on Twitter)
2022 Copa América FemeninaJP Dellacamera
John Strong
Callum Williams
Aly Wagner
Lori Lindsey
Kyndra de St. Aubin
Cat Whitehill
2021 Copa AmericaJohn Strong
Jake Zivin
Kate Scott
Adrian Garcia Marquez
Stuart Holden
Mariano Trujillo
Warren Barton
Rob StoneAlexi Lalas, Aly Wagner, Maurice Edu, Cobi Jones and Dr. Jor Machnik (rules analyst)
2019 Women's World CupJP Dellacamera
Derek Rae
Jenn Hildreth
Glenn Davis
Lisa Byington
Aly Wagner
Danielle Slaton
Kyndra de St. Aubin
Angela Hucles
Cat Whitehill
Alex Curry
Grant Wahl
Rob Stone and Jenny Taft (Paris)
Kate Abdo (Los Angeles)
Aaron West (digital)
Alexi Lalas, Eniola Aluko, Ariane Hingst, Kate Gill, Karina LeBlanc, Heather O'Reilly and Kelly Smith (Paris)
Leslie Osborne, Christie Pearce Rampone and Maurice Edu (Los Angeles)
Christina Unkel (rules analyst)
2018 World CupJohn Strong
JP Dellacamera
Derek Rae
Glenn Davis
Jorge Perez-Navarro
Mark Followill
Stuart Holden
Tony Meola
Aly Wagner
Cobi Jones
Mariano Trujillo
Warren Barton
Geoff Shreeves
Jenny Taft
Rodolfo Landeros
Maria Komandnaya
Sergey Gordeev
Grant Wahl
Rob Stone
Kate Abdo
Ian Joy
Rachel Bonnetta (digital)
Alexi Lalas, Hernan Crespo, Clarence Seedorf, Moisés Muñoz, Fernando Fiore, Martin O'Neill, Guus Hiddink, Kelly Smith, Ian Wright, and Dr. Joe Machnik (rules analyst)
2017 Confederations CupJohn Strong
JP Dellacamera
Jorge Perez-Navarro
Stuart Holden
Cobi Jones
Mariano Trujillo
Maria Komandnaya
Francisco X. Rivera
Sergey Gordeev
Rob Stone
Kate Abdo
Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Guus Hiddink, Lothar Matthäus, Arne Friedrich, Ian Wright, Aly Wagner, Cobi Jones, Mariano Trujillo, Fernando Fiore, and Dr. Joe Machnik (rules analyst)
2016 Copa AmericaJohn Strong
JP Dellacamera
Justin Kutcher
Mark Followill
Brad Friedel
Stuart Holden
Cobi Jones
Herculez Gomez
Jenny Taft
Kyndra de St. Aubin
Francisco X. Rivera
Grant Wahl (at-large)
Rob StoneAlexi Lalas, Landon Donovan, Eric Wynalda, Fernando Fiore, Aly Wagner, Herculez Gomez, and Dr. Joe Machnik (rules analyst)
2015 Women's World CupJP Dellacamera
Justin Kutcher
Jenn Hildreth
Glenn Davis
John Strong
Tony DiCicco and Cat Whitehill
Aly Wagner
Kyndra de St. Aubin
Christine Latham
Angela Hucles
Danielle Slaton
Jenny Taft
Julie Stewart-Binks
Grant Wahl
Rob Stone
Kate Abdo
Alexi Lalas, Heather Mitts, Eric Wynalda, Mónica González, Ariane Hingst, Angela Hucles, Christine Latham, Leslie Osborne, Kelly Smith, Stuart Holden, and Dr. Joe Machnik (rules analyst)

Notes and References

  1. News: FIFA grants Fox U.S. TV rights for World Cup through 2026. SI.com. 2018-07-27. en.
  2. News: Fox and Telemundo Win U.S. Rights to 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Longman. Jeré. The New York Times . 21 October 2011 . 2018-07-27. en.
  3. Web site: ESPN wants FIFA 2030 World Cup rights . 2022-12-19 . World Soccer Talk . 8 July 2022 . en.
  4. Web site: November 3, 2021 . FOX Sports Scores Media Rights to UEFA European Championship in Landmark Deal . December 16, 2022 . Fox Sports Press Pass.
  5. Web site: fuboTV Acquires Exclusive Rights to Select UEFA National Team Football and UEFA European Championship Matches Through FOX Sports . 2022-11-23 . ir.fubo.tv . en-US.
  6. Web site: Fox to televise 2021 and 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cups . 2022-12-16 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2021-05-04. FOX Sports Becomes the Home of South American National Team Soccer with Long-Term Conmebol Deal. 2021-05-04. Fox Sports PressPass. en-US.
  8. Web site: Apple, MLS announce 10-year streaming partnership . 2022-06-14 . FOX Sports.
  9. Web site: 2022-06-14 . Apple, MLS announce 10-year streaming partnership . 2022-11-05 . AP NEWS.
  10. Web site: Young . Jabari . As TV Deals Expire, Major League Soccer Fields Smaller Offers From ESPN, Fox Sports . 2022-11-05 . Forbes.
  11. Web site: Poindexter . Owen . 2022-07-21 . MLS Eyes Reduced Linear Rights After Huge Streaming Deal . 2022-11-05 . Front Office Sports.
  12. Web site: FOX Sports acquire Coupe de France rights in USA . 2023-01-03 . World Soccer Talk . en.
  13. Web site: How to watch RB Leipzig vs PSG, Bayern Munich vs Lyon. 18 August 2020 .
  14. Web site: Fox Sports secures Bundesliga's USA television rights beginning 2015-2016. Phillip Quinn. SBNation. Vox Media. October 14, 2014. October 17, 2014.
  15. Web site: Bayern Munich-Dortmund German Supercup to be featured on FOX network. World Soccer Talk. July 21, 2017. April 8, 2018.
  16. Web site: Turner's soccer shocker. Sports Business Daily. 24 February 2017 . en. 2018-07-27.
  17. Koons . Zach . U.S. Soccer Will Be Broadcast On Two Different Networks Starting in 2023 . 2022-03-29 . Sports Illustrated . March 2022 . en-us.
  18. News: Tenorio . Sam Stejskal and Paul . U.S. Soccer agrees to 8-year English-language media rights deal with Turner Sports and HBO . The New York Times . 2022-03-29 . en.
  19. Web site: Clint Dempsey joins FOX Sports for World Cup 2022 coverage . 16 May 2022 .