WFTDA Brings Roller Derby Back to Network Television, Signs Deal with ESPN2 to Televise 2017 WFTDA Championship Game

The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) has signed a contract with ESPN2 to deliver the 1st place game of the 2017 International WFTDA Championships hosted by Philly Roller Derby in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday, Nov. 5.

The ESPN2 telecast marks the first time women’s flat track roller derby will appear on network television, further solidifying the expansion of the sport of flat track roller derby, founded in 2004 by the WFTDA.

“Women’s flat track roller derby is a dynamic, revolutionary sport that has been developed by athletes and countless amazing volunteers across several continents,” WFTDA Chief Media Officer Erica Vanstone says. “The WFTDA has worked hard to develop action-packed, high-quality broadcasts of our top-level games for roller derby fans around the globe, and the opportunity to work with ESPN allows us to continue to share this exciting sport with thousands of viewers across the nation.”

The first two days of the tournament, Nov. 3 and 4, and the first three games on Sunday, Nov. 5 will be available via pay-per-view on WFTDA.tv. Outside of the U.S., viewers will be able to access all of the 2017 International WFTDA Championships through their purchased Non-U.S. WFTDA.tv watch pass.

Since 2012, the WFTDA broadcast team has been presenting high-quality productions and exciting matchups through its online portal, WFTDA.tv. This team will produce the ESPN2 content, showcasing the revolutionary athleticism WFTDA roller derby offers.

The 1st place game will be available for streaming live and on-demand via the ESPN App for 30 days after the event.

Not sure what has changed from previous tournament coverage? Want to learn more? Read on for a breakdown of this new partnership!

Why the move from ESPN3 to ESPN2?

In 2015 and 2016 the WFTDA worked with ESPN’s online streaming channel, ESPN3. This put the entirety of Championships Sunday on the ESPN App in the U.S., which was only accessible to U.S. viewers through a cable or internet subscription with online access to ESPN3.

This year, we are excited to have the opportunity to work with ESPN2, allowing us to put our 2017 Championship game in front of the most viewers possible–on national television in the U.S. This means that for the first time ever, women’s flat track roller derby will be on network television!

What’s the difference between ESPN3 and ESPN2?

ESPN2 is an American basic cable and satellite television network that is owned by ESPN Inc.

You can watch on basic cable or online through the ESPN App if your internet or cable provider have a contract to carry ESPN. Have questions about using the ESPN App? Check out ESPN’s support page here, or use this handy guide on how to access WFTDA content on the ESPN App.

ESPN3 is an online-only streaming channel that can only be watched via the ESPN app.

What’s the difference between last year and 2017 for U.S. viewers?

Last year, U.S. viewers who wanted to watch Sunday had to have online access to ESPN3.

This year, U.S. viewers will be able to watch every day of Championships through WFTDA.tv using their U.S. Only watch pass, except for the last game on Sunday, which they will be able to watch on basic U.S. cable ESPN2 or online through the ESPN App.

I’m not in the U.S., how do I watch all this amazing roller derby?

Watch the entire event on WFTDA.tv. Purchase your Non-U.S. WFTDA.tv watch pass here.

You won’t want to miss a minute of the best roller derby has to offer. If you’re not joining us live in Philly, purchase your WFTDA.tv watch pass today at wftda.tv/watch-pass.