This article was updated on July 15 to reflect the programming changes to ESPN’s coverage of MLL’s 20th season.
Lacrosse will be on live television for the first time since March when Major League Lacrosse takes the field this July. MLL’s 20th anniversary season will air on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+, beginning on Saturday, July 18.
The abbreviated season, to be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., will include 15 games, followed by a four-team playoff on July 25 and concluding with the championship game on Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m. on ESPN’s flagship channel.
“ESPN is the worldwide leader in sports for a reason. We are thrilled to once again have our games on their family of networks,” MLL Commissioner Alexander Brown said. “The sport of lacrosse at
both the collegiate and professional level has seen tremendous growth through its partnership and promotion on the ESPN platform. ESPN is broadening their promotion, activation, and exposure for MLL this season, and we look forward to welcoming ESPN viewers as they tune into MLL’s 20th anniversary season.”
Every game will be announced by a combination of play-by-play commentators Joe Beninati and Booker Corrigan, analysts Quint Kessenich and Don Zimmerman, and reporter Courtney Fallon, who will all be on-site for the duration of the season. ESPN’s coverage will include enhanced field audio with wireless mics in the goals and on officials to capture game action and calls.
“ESPN has been a longstanding proponent for the growth of lacrosse, and we are proud to celebrate in Major League Lacrosse’s 20th anniversary season,” ESPN senior director of programming Dan Margulis said. “We are excited to see professional leagues like MLL back on the field, and look forward to delivering the action to fans.”
MLL’s season will also be available for Canadian viewers on the TSN App. The 1pm and 4pm games on Saturday, July 18, will air on TSN.ca and the TSN App. Sunday, July 19, Major League Lacrosse’s games will air on TV on TSN2. The remainder of the regular season games will be available on TSN.ca and the TSN App, along with the semifinals. Major League Lacrosse’s 20th anniversary championship will air on TSN2.
In 135 countries across the globe, lacrosse fans will also have the opportunity to watch MLL as ESPN Player will carry the full 20th anniversary season. ESPN player streams some of the world’s biggest and best sports live and on-demand, direct to desktop, smartphones, tablets and smart TVs. ESPN Player is available across Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia. ESPN Player will be offering a free 7-day trial to new customers, making MLL more accessible internationally than ever.
The Philadelphia Barrage will play their first MLL game since 2008 against the reigning-champions, the Chesapeake Bayhawks, in the opening game of the 2020 season at 1 p.m ET. Later that afternoon the New York Lizards will face the Boston Cannons and the Connecticut Hammerheads will play their first game in franchise history when they take on the Denver Outlaws. The three games can be seen on ESPN+.
On July 19, ESPN2 will feature a double-header to lead its Sunday afternoon programming. At 1 p.m. ET the Chesapeake Bayhawks will take on their arch-rival, the New York Lizards. The second game of the day will see the 2019 runners-up, Denver Outlaws, play the Philadelphia Barrage at 4 p.m ET.
Beginning Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24, two games will be played every day at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m ET. The ten games will be shown on ESPN+.
Full broadcast schedule
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