Guardians League secures global broadcast deal for surf racing

The Guardians League, a new trans-Tasman franchise surf racing league, has secured a global broadcast deal with streaming service DAZN. The league is scheduled to launch in 2027, with an initial four-race Oceania series taking place on Australian and New Zealand beaches in November and December of next year.

The competition features athletes from disciplines including life saving, athletics, kayaking, and swimming, organized into six city-based teams. The initiative is supported by several Australian sporting bodies, including surf life saving, paddle, swimming, and athletics. Following the Oceania launch, the league plans to expand into the United States.

The development is viewed as a strategic move to increase the visibility of surf life saving in hopes of its inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. This follows the precedent set by coastal rowing, which is scheduled to feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Games.