The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has announced a programming agreement with FOX Sports, to televise highlights of all PTO Tour races from its 2022 season across the USA in December.
The new deal follows the inaugural PTO Tour season this year and most notably the US$1 million PTO US Open in Dallas (September 17-18), which saw wins for American Collin Chartier and Australian Ashleigh Gentle in the men’s and women’s pro races respectively.
The PTO US Open took place at a specially designed course in Las Colinas, where fans saw the athletes as many as 12 times during the 100km distance (2km swim; 80km bike; 18km run) and were commentated on by special guest Michael Johnson, a Dallas native and four-time Olympic gold medal winner.
The full 2022 PTO Tour included:
- The US$1 million PTO Canadian Open in Edmonton, Canada (July 23-24);
- The second edition of the US$1.5 million Ryder Cup-style Collins Cup (August 20), which saw Team US take on Team Europe and Team International; and
- The first-ever PTO US Open in September.
One-hour highlights shows of the three races will be shown together on FOX Sports 1 on December 17 (11:00-14:00 ET).
“Getting the first PTO Tour season on FS1 is hugely important for us,” said Tim Godfrey, PTO Chief Marketing Officer. “Not least given the US is the birthplace of triathlon and a fast growing sport in the market amongst adults and youth. Triathletes are the ultimate endurance athletes and deserve broader recognition and appreciation, which this agreement will deliver across America. Putting their superhuman exploits and compelling storylines onto the screens of more sports fans.”
In 2023 and 2024, the PTO Tour plans to expand with the PTO European Open and the PTO Asian Open, alongside their US and Canadian equivalents, plus the Collins Cup.
