USL announces Spanish-language deal with TelevisaUnivision

The United Soccer League will broadcast select games in the USL Championship in Spanish in 2024 via the networks from TelevisaUnivision. On Monday, the American soccer league announced that up to 20 games will air on the broadcaster’s channels. That starts on Saturday, June 15, when TUDN will broadcast a doubleheader of contests.

In addition to Saturday’s doubleheader, some of the games that TelevisaUnivision will broadcast for the USL Championship include teams that have found regular success. For example, a game later in the season allows fans to see Detroit City FC at home. Detroit has established itself as one of the most popular clubs in the USL Championship with strong home support. Additionally, some of the best teams in the USL will be in action. The games on TelevisaUnivision’s channels that have been confirmed include two stops at Louisville City FC. Louisville leads the league in points after 13 games. The team immediately behind LCFC is Charleston Battery, which is on the confirmed games for TelevisaUnivision twice.

The USL Championship continues to make headway in the broadcast space, and this agreement with TelevisaUnivision is no different. Earlier in the season, the USL Championship had its first-ever game on broadcast television. CBS aired a contest between Louisville City and the Indy Eleven. That game pulled an audience of 362,000 on April 6. That audience beat out the Major League Soccer game that aired on FOX on the same day, which was El Trafico between LAFC and the LA Galaxy.

How does USL deal with TelevisaUnivision grow soccer audience?

Having a Spanish-language home for the USL Championship is precisely what the league needed to expand. The United States as a country is remarkably diverse, and many of the USL Championship teams play in locations with a significant portion of Hispanic residents. For example, six teams in the USL are in the American southwest, including El Paso, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Orange County and Phoenix, with the latter winning the USL Cup last season. The Spanish-speaking residents did not have a consistent home to watch those teams play. But, now they do.

TUDN, a part of TelevisaUnivision, has a larger soccer following than any other channel in the United States. For reference, the United Soccer League said the league makes up 50% of all soccer viewership in the United States.

“TelevisaUnivision has a direct line to passionate soccer fans in our country,” said Court Jeske, USL Chief Commercial Officer. “The USL Championship is growing every year, and we are thrilled to partner with TelevisaUnivision to continue that growth by bringing the excitement of our top league to a whole new audience – one that loves the game and respects an authentic soccer experience.”

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Fixtures on TUDN or Univision now join the existing broadcast schedule that includes ESPN2, the CBS Sports Network, ESPN+, Paramount+, the CBS Sports Golazo Network and other channels.

Current schedule of games on TUDN

TelevisaUnivision announced 11 regular-season games that will be available on TUDN. The broadcaster said up to 20 games will be available on its channels, so this schedule is subject to change. Worth noting though, the USL Championship Final will be on TelevisaUnivision’s channels.

Saturday, June 15. 7 p.m. — Indy Eleven vs. San Antonio FC.
Saturday, June 15. 9 p.m. — Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Orange County SC.
Saturday, Aug. 10. 7:30 p.m. — Charleston Battery vs. Memphis 901 FC.
Sunday, Aug. 11. 5 p.m. — Indy Eleven vs. New Mexico United.
Wednesday, Aug. 28. 9 p.m. — Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Memphis 901 FC.
Friday, Sep. 28. 7:30 p.m. — Louisville City FC vs. Loudoun United FC.
Wednesday, Sep. 25. 10 p.m. — Orange County SC vs. Phoenix Rising FC.
Wednesday, Oct. 2. 7:30 p.m. — Louisville City FC vs. Miami FC.
Saturday, Oct. 5. 4 p.m. — Charleston Batter vs. Detroit City FC.
Wednesday, Oct. 9. 7 p.m. — North Carolina FC vs. FC Tulsa.
Saturday, Oct. 19. 4 p.m. — Detroit City FC vs. Miami FC.
Sunday, Nov. 23. Time TBD — USL Championship Final.

PHOTO: USL