Sports Illustrated (SI) Announces Inaugural ‘SI Women’s Games’, Slated for Fall of 2025
Sports Illustrated (SI) has announced the inaugural SI Women's Games, a biennial all-star competition set to debut in Oceanside, California from October 28 - November 2, 2025. The event will feature elite athletes competing in six sports: basketball, gymnastics, tennis, flag football, volleyball, and combat sports.
The games will pit Team Americas against Team World in both team and individual competitions, with athletes competing for prize money and the title of SI Women's Games Champion. Scripps Sports/ION has secured exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights through a multi-year partnership, reaching 123 million homes through various platforms.
Coverage will extend across SI's digital, video, and social media channels, leveraging the brand's journalism expertise to showcase these athletes' stories and performances.
Sports Illustrated (SI) ha annunciato i primi SI Women's Games, una competizione biennale di stelle che debutterà a Oceanside, California, dal 28 ottobre al 2 novembre 2025. L'evento presenterà atlete di élite che si sfideranno in sei sport: basket, ginnastica, tennis, football americano, pallavolo e sport da combattimento.
Le gare vedranno Team Americas contro Team World sia in competizioni a squadre che individuali, con atlete che si contenderanno premi in denaro e il titolo di Campione dei SI Women's Games. Scripps Sports/ION ha ottenuto i diritti di trasmissione esclusivi negli Stati Uniti attraverso una partnership pluriennale, raggiungendo 123 milioni di famiglie tramite varie piattaforme.
La copertura si estenderà attraverso i canali digitali, video e social media di SI, sfruttando l'esperienza giornalistica del marchio per mettere in luce le storie e le performance di queste atlete.
Sports Illustrated (SI) ha anunciado los primeros SI Women's Games, una competición estelar bienal que debutará en Oceanside, California, del 28 de octubre al 2 de noviembre de 2025. El evento contará con atletas de élite compitiendo en seis deportes: baloncesto, gimnasia, tenis, fútbol americano, voleibol y deportes de combate.
Los juegos enfrentarán al Team Americas contra el Team World tanto en competiciones por equipos como individuales, con atletas compitiendo por premios en efectivo y el título de Campeona de los SI Women's Games. Scripps Sports/ION ha asegurado los derechos de transmisión exclusivos en EE. UU. a través de una asociación a largo plazo, alcanzando 123 millones de hogares a través de varias plataformas.
La cobertura se extenderá a través de los canales digitales, de video y redes sociales de SI, aprovechando la experiencia periodística de la marca para mostrar las historias y actuaciones de estas atletas.
스포츠 일러스트레이티드 (SI)는 첫 번째 SI 여성 게임을 발표했습니다. 이 비엔날레 올스타 대회는 2025년 10월 28일부터 11월 2일까지 캘리포니아 오션사이드에서 데뷔합니다. 이 이벤트는 농구, 체조, 테니스, 플래그 풋볼, 배구 및 격투 스포츠의 6개 스포츠에서 뛰어난 운동선수들이 경쟁하는 모습을 보여줄 것입니다.
경기는 Team Americas와 Team World가 팀 및 개인 대회에서 맞붙어, 선수들이 상금과 SI 여성 게임 챔피언 타이틀을 놓고 경쟁합니다. Scripps Sports/ION은 다년간의 파트너십을 통해 미국 내 독점 방송 권리를 확보하여 다양한 플랫폼을 통해 1억 2300만 가구에 도달합니다.
보도는 SI의 디지털, 비디오 및 소셜 미디어 채널을 통해 이루어지며, 브랜드의 저널리즘 전문성을 활용하여 이러한 운동선수들의 이야기와 성과를 조명할 것입니다.
Sports Illustrated (SI) a annoncé les premiers SI Women's Games, une compétition biennale de stars qui fera ses débuts à Oceanside, Californie, du 28 octobre au 2 novembre 2025. L'événement mettra en vedette des athlètes d'élite s'affrontant dans six sports : basketball, gymnastique, tennis, football américain, volley-ball et sports de combat.
Les jeux opposeront Team Americas à Team World dans des compétitions par équipes et individuelles, avec des athlètes se battant pour des prix en argent et le titre de Championne des SI Women's Games. Scripps Sports/ION a obtenu les droits de diffusion exclusifs aux États-Unis grâce à un partenariat pluriannuel, atteignant 123 millions de foyers via diverses plateformes.
La couverture s'étendra sur les canaux numériques, vidéo et de médias sociaux de SI, s'appuyant sur l'expertise journalistique de la marque pour mettre en lumière les histoires et performances de ces athlètes.
Sports Illustrated (SI) hat die ersten SI Women's Games angekündigt, einen biennalen All-Star-Wettbewerb, der vom 28. Oktober bis 2. November 2025 in Oceanside, Kalifornien, debütieren wird. Die Veranstaltung wird Elite-Athletinnen in sechs Sportarten antreten lassen: Basketball, Gymnastik, Tennis, Flag Football, Volleyball und Kampfsport.
Die Spiele werden Team Americas gegen Team World in Team- und Einzelwettbewerben antreten lassen, wobei die Athletinnen um Preisgelder und den Titel der SI Women's Games Champion kämpfen. Scripps Sports/ION hat sich die exklusiven US-Broadcasting-Rechte durch eine mehrjährige Partnerschaft gesichert und erreicht 123 Millionen Haushalte über verschiedene Plattformen.
Die Berichterstattung wird sich über die digitalen, Video- und Social-Media-Kanäle von SI erstrecken und die journalistische Expertise der Marke nutzen, um die Geschichten und Leistungen dieser Athletinnen zu präsentieren.
- Multi-year broadcast partnership with Scripps Sports/ION securing wide distribution to 123 million homes
- New revenue stream potential through ticket sales and broadcasting rights
- Brand expansion into live sports events market
- Significant operational costs and financial risks associated with launching a new large-scale sporting event
- Long wait until revenue realization (Fall 2025)
- Competition from established women's sporting events could impact success
Insights
Scripps Sports has secured a strategic content acquisition with this multi-year partnership to broadcast the newly created SI Women's Games on its ION network. This represents Scripps' continued investment in developing a sports content portfolio, positioning ION as a destination for women's sports programming.
The exclusive broadcasting rights provide Scripps with unique content that spans multiple sports categories, potentially attracting diverse advertising partners interested in reaching women's sports audiences. With ION's extensive reach across 123 million homes via multiple distribution platforms (pay TV, connected TV, streaming, and over-the-air), Scripps has the technical infrastructure to maximize this content's visibility.
However, investors should note that with the inaugural event scheduled for Fall 2025, this partnership won't generate revenue for approximately 18 months. The deal's financial terms remain undisclosed, making it impossible to evaluate the direct economic impact on Scripps' balance sheet or whether the company paid a premium for these first-time broadcasting rights.
This partnership aligns with Scripps' stated ambition to make ION a "premier destination for women's sports" but represents an unproven property with execution risk typical of first-time sporting events. The biennial scheduling suggests frequency for sustained audience building compared to properties with annual or seasonal programming.
The SI Women’s Games will feature all-star competitions across basketball, gymnastics, tennis, flag football, volleyball and combat sports with Scripps Sports/ION signing on as the exclusive
Welcoming some of the best athletes from around the globe to
Sports Illustrated has entered a multi-year partnership with Scripps Sports for ION to be the exclusive
“The SI Women’s Games are a groundbreaking opportunity to do what we have always done at Sports Illustrated,” said Sports Illustrated Editor in Chief Steve Cannella. “This is an exciting new way for us to tell the best stories in sports. We can’t wait to watch these incredible athletes compete in
“We’re proud to partner with Sports Illustrated, one of the most iconic brands in sports, to showcase and bring the compelling and exciting stories, athletes and events of the SI Women’s Games to every American household,” said Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports. “This is another milestone for Scripps Sports and ION as a premier destination for the best in women’s sports.”
To stay tuned for more on SI Women’s Games ticket availability, player updates and schedule of events, visit si.com/si-womens-games.
About Sports Illustrated
For 70 years, Sports Illustrated (SI) has been recognized for shaping modern culture at the intersection of sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. SI is a 360-degree platform that unites athletes, teams and fans worldwide through quality content, innovative digital experiences, unforgettable events, and original products. Its award-winning media arm brings powerful storytelling to life through probing profiles and up-to-date news on SI.com, across social media platforms, and through its renowned print magazine whose cover is widely regarded as the most coveted space in sports media. SI brings its unique perspective to marquee events and captivating brand activations including: “SI The Party”, Club SI, the Sportsperson of the Year Awards, SI Swimsuit Launch Weekend, and the SI Circuit Series.
For more information, visit SI.com.
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About Minute Media
Minute Media is a global technology and content company specializing in sports and culture. Minute Media's proprietary tech platform enables the creation, distribution and monetization of digital content experiences. They own and operate leading sports content brands, including The Players' Tribune, FanSided, and 90min, and serve as the publisher of Sports Illustrated and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit across digital and print platforms. Minute Media also provides sports highlight rights through their recent technology acquisition of STN Video. The company reaches 200M monthly users, powering 1,500+ content creators and 400+ distribution partners across 14 global markets in 10 languages. They also reach a robust print subscriber base through the publication of Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated Swim and Sports Illustrated Kids magazines. Minute Media has offices in
For more information, visit www.MinuteMedia.com.
About Scripps Sports
Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach. Scripps Sports currently has partnerships with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the National Hockey League’s (NHL) 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, the new Utah Hockey Club, the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA and the NCAA’s Big Sky Conference. Scripps Sports is a division of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a Fortune 1000 American media company.
About ION
A leading general entertainment network, ION’s lineup features major cable and broadcast shows, original series, live sports and special event programming. ION is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation’s largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in more than 40 markets.
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Paige Graham
paige@minutemedia.com
Sydney Northcutt
sydney.northcutt@minutemedia.com
Jim Weiss
jim.weiss@scripps.com
Source: Sports Illustrated