Ion Adds 2027 Women’s Volleyball World Cup Broadcast

Scripps Expands Its Women’s Sports Portfolio

Ion has secured the U.S. broadcast rights for the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup, scheduling the event for August and September of next year. All 64 matches from the 32‑team tournament will air on Ion and Scripps Sports digital platforms, with commentary offered in both English and Spanish. The partnership also includes Horizon Sports & Experiences to oversee sponsorship packaging, though exact financial details remain undisclosed. Craig Thompson, CEO of the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup 2027, described the deal as “an unprecedented level of U.S. distribution for the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup and a defining moment for the sport in this market.”

Global Impact and Olympic Pathway

The 2027 World Cup functions as a qualifier for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, granting the top three non‑qualified national teams a direct berth on the Olympic stage. This pathway elevates the tournament’s prestige and spotlights Olympic‑bound volleyball talent. The agreement underscores the network’s strategic focus on sports that feed into major international competitions.

Digital Reach and Multilingual Coverage

Viewers can access every game through Scripps Sports streaming services, extending the event beyond traditional broadcast windows. Bilingual commentary ensures the tournament reaches a wide, linguistically diverse audience. The 64‑game schedule spans two months, delivering consistent content for fans across the United States.

Strategic Partnerships and Sponsorship

Ion and the FIVB will cooperate with Horizon Sports & Experiences to craft sponsorship opportunities that align with the tournament’s global brand. Although the financial scope of the arrangement has not been released, industry observers anticipate strong investment from corporate partners. This collaborative model reflects recent approaches used for other high‑profile sports rights on the network.

Context Within Ion’s Growing Women’s Sports Lineup

The Women’s Volleyball World Cup joins a burgeoning calendar of women’s athletics on Ion, complementing existing programming. The network already airs weekly WNBA and NWSL contests, added the PWHL earlier this year, and maintains a local partnership with the Detroit Pistons. This diversification signals a broader industry shift toward balanced gender representation in sports media.

• Weekly WNBA games
• NWSL match packages
• PWHL broadcasts
• Detroit Pistons local rights