Disc golf fans in Europe and around the globe are in for a treat as the Disc Golf Network (DGN) ramps up its coverage of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Euro Tour in 2023. Building on the success of previous years and recognizing the surging popularity of Euro Tour Golf, DGN has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with PDGA Europe. This means more live, high-quality coverage of premier Euro Tour golf events, bringing the excitement of European competition directly to your screens.
This exciting announcement means that seven PDGA Euro Tour events will be broadcast live on the Disc Golf Network in 2023. This expanded schedule is a testament to the growing global appeal of disc golf and the increasing demand for top-tier Euro Tour golf content. Initially, there was a slight date correction for one event, the Alutaguse Open. MPO and FPO divisions will now compete in Estonia from August 10th-12th, while the Masters divisions will follow on August 11th-13th. Make sure to mark your calendars with these updated dates!
The full list of Euro Tour golf events coming to Disc Golf Network in 2023 includes a fantastic lineup across Europe:
- Konopiště Open (Konopiště, Czech Republic): June 16th – 18th
- Krokhol Open (Oslo, Norway): June 23rd – 25th
- Swedish Open (Borås, Sweden): June 30th – July 2nd
- Skellefteå Open (Skellefteå, Sweden): July 7th – 9th
- Åland Open (Åland, Finland): July 28th – 30th
- Alutaguse Open (Johvi, Estonia): August 10th – 12th
- Andalucía Open / Tour Championship (Costa Ballena, Spain): October 20th – 22nd
These events, with the exception of the Tour Championship, will also be significant for players aiming for the 2023 Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship. They will award points at the same level as Silver Events, and players will accumulate points from their best three finishes across a total of fifteen combined Silver and Euro Tour events. This integration further elevates the importance of Euro Tour golf on the global professional disc golf stage.
The move to increase Euro Tour golf coverage follows a successful 2022 season where the Disc Golf Pro Tour hosted its first European Silver event, the PCS Sula Open. Furthermore, the Disc Golf Network’s live broadcast of the European Open in 2022 shattered viewership records, attracting over 20,000 live viewers. These successes highlighted the immense potential and appetite for Euro Tour golf coverage, paving the way for this enhanced partnership in 2023.
Jeff Spring, DGPT CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of this expansion: “The DGPT is dedicated to supporting the continued expansion of high-level competition in Europe, and the PDGA Euro Tour is the leader and cornerstone of that growth. Our enhanced partnership with the Euro Tour means the Disc Golf Network will deliver expansive opportunities for European disc golf fans to watch live broadcasts in their time zones and for European professionals to earn points toward the DGPT Championship. We are thrilled to feature the best up-and-coming European players competing at world-class courses.” This commitment underscores the DGPT’s long-term vision for global disc golf development.
Matěj Verl, PDGA Euro Tour Manager, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the landmark nature of the partnership: “Partnering with the DGPT strengthens the international reach of our sport and unveils the potential for further collaboration down the road. Only now, with the growth of the sport and with this cooperation, disc golf is finally, truly, and fully entering its international era. With European players entering the main stage, the competition gets tighter and more appealing to viewers. With more top USA players finding it appealing to also compete in Europe and with European players getting more opportunities to showcase their skills on their home turf, this cooperation finds the best of both Worlds. I would like to thank Jeff Spring and the whole DGPT team for their collaboration and for making this happen.”
Expanding live broadcasts to include premier Euro Tour golf events has been a key objective for the Disc Golf Network since its inception. Charles McCracken, DGPT Communications Director, noted the subscriber support that makes this possible: “Sending full event operations and broadcast teams to Norway and Finland in 2022 was a huge step forward for the Tour and the Network. Partnering with the European Open to host a successful broadcast of the first European Pro Major in three years was only possible because of Disc Golf Network subscribers.”
Mahmoud Bahrani, DGPT Media Director, further explained the connection between subscriber growth and expanded Euro Tour golf coverage: “Subscriber growth in 2022 was key to our ability to provide European coverage this season. With growth comes an increase in resources for our team and new opportunities to showcase the best players competing at the highest levels. With the addition of these Euro Tour events, the Disc Golf Network will cover nearly forty events over thirty weekends in 2023. We see that as a huge value for disc golf network subscribers and the growing disc golf fan base they represent.”
To ensure smooth live production across different time zones and to manage concurrent broadcasts with US events, the Disc Golf Network is partnering with Pulsea, a European live production company. Pulsea brings significant experience in live broadcasting and a deep understanding of disc golf, including their Pulsea Disc Golf Academy app designed to help players improve their game. The PDGA Euro Tour will also continue its collaboration with More Disc Golf for post-production coverage and live production support.
2023 Concurrent Broadcast Schedule
For disc golf fans eager to follow both Euro Tour golf and US events, here’s a schedule of weekends where both will be broadcast live on Disc Golf Network:
| Dates | U.S. Event | European Event |
|---|---|---|
| June 16th – 18th | Dynamic Discs Open | Konopiště Open |
| June 23rd – 25th | Trubank Des Moines presented by Discraft | Krokhol Open |
| June 30th – July 2nd | The Preserve Championship designed by Leiviska Disc Golf Design | Swedish Open |
| July 7th – 9th | 41st Annual Kansas City Wide Open | Skellefteå Open |
| July 28th – 30th | Mid America Open | Åland Open |
| August 10th – 12th* | LWS Open at Idlewild presented by Dynamic Discs & The Nati | Alutaguse Open |
Time Zone Considerations for Euro Tour Golf Viewing
For viewers planning to catch the live Euro Tour golf action, it’s important to note the time zone differences. Disc Golf Network will maintain its format of FPO coverage in the mornings and MPO in the afternoons, based on the local time zone of each event. This means that for viewers in the U.S., European FPO rounds will typically broadcast late at night, and MPO rounds will be early in the morning. Conversely, European viewers can expect US FPO rounds in their afternoon and MPO rounds late at night. Despite the time differences, the expanded Euro Tour golf coverage ensures there’s always exciting live disc golf to watch on Disc Golf Network.
With this significant expansion of Euro Tour golf coverage, 2023 promises to be an incredible year for disc golf fans worldwide. The Disc Golf Network is bringing the best of European disc golf to a global audience, showcasing top talent and world-class courses. Get ready for a summer and fall packed with thrilling Euro Tour golf action!
