Stan Sport Secures WTA Tour Rights, Expanding Tennis Portfolio

Stan Sport, the streaming service operated by Australian broadcaster Nine Network, has acquired sub-licensing rights to the WTA women’s tennis tour from BeIN Sports. This deal grants Stan Sport access to comprehensive coverage of women’s tennis, including WTA 1000, 500 and 250-level events, culminating in the season-ending WTA Finals – totaling over 50 tournaments annually.

Expanding Tennis Offerings

The addition of the WTA Tour complements Stan Sport’s existing tennis portfolio, which already includes exclusive broadcasting rights for all four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon Championships, and US Open – secured through separate agreements with their respective governing bodies. Stan Sport also broadcasts the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup.

Coverage Begins at Indian Wells

Stan Sport’s WTA coverage will commence with the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, starting March 1-15, 2026 BNP Paribas Open. BeIN Sports currently holds the rights to the WTA in Australia, France, and Turkey, as part of a long-term agreement extending through the 2024 season.

Growing Women’s Sport on Stan Sport

This acquisition aligns with Stan Sport’s broader strategy of investing in women’s sports, which also includes coverage of the English Women’s Super League, the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and recent Olympic Games coverage.

Nine’s Commitment to Premium Sport

Amanda Laing, Managing Director of Streaming and Broadcast at Nine, emphasized the company’s dedication to providing world-class women’s sport, stating, “We’re pleased to welcome the WTA Tour to Stan Sport and continue building a destination for world-class women’s sport. Our commitment to premium sport is defined by the caliber of the events we broadcast, and the WTA Tour is a vital addition to our market-leading portfolio.”

Rising Popularity of Women’s Tennis

The deal comes at a time of increasing popularity for women’s tennis, driven by prominent players such as Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff. Australian players including Maya Joint, Ajla Tomljanovic, Daria Saville, Olivia Gadecki, and Kimberly Birrell also compete on the WTA Tour.

Australian Open Viewership Success

Nine recently reported strong viewership numbers for its coverage of the 2024 Australian Open, reaching 14.31 million Australians – a 9.3% increase year-over-year. The women’s singles final, featuring Elena Rybakina’s victory over Aryna Sabalenka, attracted a national television audience of 3.8 million, a 30.1% increase compared to the previous year.

Kayo Sports Appoints Director of Engagement

In related news, Ted Helliar has been appointed Director of Engagement, Community, and Fandom at Kayo Sports and Fox Sports, owned by DAZN. Helliar will focus on strengthening connections with fan communities and increasing audience engagement. He previously served as Chief Fan Officer at the NBL.

Formula 1 Rights Extended by Kayo Sports

Kayo Sports has also extended its rights deal with Formula 1, ensuring continued coverage of the motorsport championship. Foxtel’s motorsports portfolio also includes Supercars, MotoGP, NASCAR, and other racing series.