UFC moving Canadian broadcasts from TSN to Sportsnet

Canadians will be watching UFC action on a different channel in the new year.

The mixed martial organization announced this week that it will be moving its future Canadian broadcasts from TSN and RDS to Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

The changes will take effect at the start of 2024.

We're back home in the new year! 📺 🎉

The UFC will return to @Sportsnet and @TVASports starting in 2024! pic.twitter.com/tRBhgnJYxr

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) November 9, 2023

It will be round two for Sportsnet and TVA Sports as the UFC’s Canadian broadcast partners, following a four-year run from 2011 through 2014.

“I’m so excited we’re coming back to Sportsnet and TVA Sports,” said UFC CEO Dana White.

“When you think back to the GSP days, Sportsnet and TVA Sports helped build this business in Canada. We love Canadian fans and we’re happy to be home.”

The networks’ previous run as the broadcaster for UFC action a decade ago included four headline fights from Quebec native Georges St. Pierre.

Sportsnet and TVA Sports will be the home for both regular fight nights, which are free to view for those with a cable subscription, and pay-per-view cards.

“We’re excited to welcome the UFC and its incredible fans back home to Sportsnet,” said Greg Sansone, senior vice-president of the network.

“This sport is absolutely electrifying, and we look forward to entertaining fans and growing UFC audiences with hundreds of hours of content and programming across all Sportsnet platforms.”

The first pay-per-view UFC event of 2024 will be held in Canada, as Toronto is set to host UFC 297 at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, Jan. 20.

The event will be headlined by a middleweight title fight between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, but the full card has yet to be announced.

IT'S GOING DOWN IN THE NORTH.🦉

🏆@SStricklandMMA vs @DricusDuPlessis is your #UFC297 main event!

[ Register your interest at https://t.co/newcSNDZrs ] pic.twitter.com/hhggwKR8TZ

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) November 9, 2023