Australia’s commercial broadcaster Nine Network has landed a five-year partnership with the Netball Australia governing body for exclusive rights to air a swathe of competitions, including the 2027 Netball World Cup.
The deal, which features the largest free-to-air element in the sport’s history, covers rights for the top-tier Super Netball league, all Australian Diamond matches, and all 64 matches during next year's Netball World Cup in Sydney.
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From January 2027, matches will be available live across free-to-air streaming service 9Now and the Stan Sport subscription platform, with a selection of games also aired free on the 9Network linear channel, including weekly Super Netball matches, all finals, Diamonds internationals, and key fixtures from the World Cup.
Beyond live matches, the partnership provides a significant commercial platform for brands seeking a wide reach, with netball remaining the leading team sport in Australia for women and girls.
The sport has a broad audience, while the Australian Diamonds are the number one-ranked team in the world.
Netball Australia chief executive Stacey West said: “Nine was the foundation broadcaster of the Super Netball League 10 years ago, and it's wonderful for us to partner once again.
"We have heard consistently from our fans that they want to see more netball content. This sport matters to fans right across our country, and for them to be able to watch it together and celebrate their heroes is what creates the magic moments that deepen connections with our game.”
Nine takes over the rights package from rival pay-TV broadcaster Foxtel, whose current five-year deal with Netball Australia runs through the end of 2026.
Before that, Nine held exclusive rights to Netball Australia’s competitions in a five-year deal running from 2017 to 2021 before Foxtel took over the package.
Under Foxtel’s current deal, every game of every round of the Super Netball competition is available live on its platforms, including Foxtel and Kayo Sports, the sports streaming app.
In addition, two games per week have been made available live and free as part of Kayo Freebies, along with every match of the Super Netball Finals Series. Matches of the Origin Australian Diamonds, the national team, are also available free on Kayo Freebies.
Rights to the last Netball World Cup in 2023 were also held by Foxtel, with the free-to-air package secured by public service broadcaster SBS. Nine has now taken over both elements of World Cup rights for the 2027 edition.
Amanda Laing, Nine Group’s managing director of streaming and broadcast, said: “We’re building a portfolio around the sports Australians care most deeply about, and netball belongs in that company.
“For viewers, this means more access, broader reach and premium coverage across 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport – from Super Netball through to every Diamonds match and a home World Cup in 2027.
“We believe women’s sport is one of the strongest growth stories in media, and this partnership is another important step in our commitment to back it with real platforms, real visibility, and real ambition.”
The new broadcast deal comes five months after Netball Australia announced it was looking to secure a A$10 million ($6.45 million) loan facility as part of its new 'Made in Netball' growth strategy.
That 10-year plan, which aims to attract two million participants across the country by 2035, hinges upon a new wave of free-to-air distribution for Super Netball.
At the time of the announcement, Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis hinted the next broadcast partnership would focus on reach, suggesting Foxtel’s partnership with the governing body would come to an end.
She said: “Foxtel has been a fantastic partner for us, and they’ve invested enormously in our game… They’re an important part of the mix, but just having that reach is pretty critical.”
That A$10 million private investment has been slated as an important factor in preserving Netball Australia’s growth aims, with the governing body having to financially support six of the eight Super Netball teams, while balancing its sponsorship portfolio in a crowded Australian sports market.
