The Atlantic Coast Conference is staying on The CW for the long haul, and fans of ACC football and basketball have plenty to cheer about. The Nexstar-owned network officially announced a new sublicense agreement with ESPN on Wednesday, locking in ACC programming through the 2030-31 season. This means The CW will continue to be a go-to destination for college sports action, airing 14 regular-season football games, 30 men's basketball games, and 10 women's basketball games each year.
This news comes hot on the heels of another major collaboration: The CW and ESPN recently teamed up to make all CW Sports programming available on the ESPN Unlimited app, giving fans even more ways to catch the games. It's a strategic move that underscores how college sports broadcasting is evolving, blending traditional over-the-air reach with digital accessibility.
The CW's relationship with the ACC kicked off in 2023, thanks to a deal with Raycom Sports. At that time, Raycom had sublicensed the games from ESPN for regional sports networks, but when Diamond Sports Group's bankruptcy proceedings shook up the landscape, Raycom pivoted to move its games off those networks. Diamond eventually relinquished the contract, clearing the path for The CW to step in. Under the new agreement, Raycom Sports will continue to produce the ACC games for The CW, ensuring consistent quality and coverage.
For The CW, this ACC package was a game-changer. Before 2023, the network was known for shows like "Riverdale" and "All American," but its sports portfolio was still finding its footing with deals like LIV Golf and "Inside the NFL." Adding ACC football and basketball gave The CW instant credibility as a live sports destination. Now, the network's lineup is stacked with major properties, including WWE NXT, NASCAR's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the Pac-12. "The conference was an early believer in our vision to become a broadcast destination for sports," said Brad Schwartz, president of The CW Network, in the announcement. "We are thrilled to continue our relationship for another four seasons and provide the widest reach possible for all their games."
From the ACC's perspective, The CW is a natural fit. The games in this package are typically third-tier matchups that weren't picked up by ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, or the ACC Network. Yet, they still get national distribution, giving smaller schools and underdog stories a prime-time spotlight. Whether you're a die-hard fan tracking every play or just love the thrill of college sports, this deal means more action, more access, and more memories in the making. So, gear up—ACC Saturdays and weeknights on The CW are here to stay.