Delta expands its onboard sports experience with Sport 24 partnership

Delta Air Lines is rolling out a new onboard sports offering aimed at keeping big games in view while passengers cross borders and time zones. The airline said it is partnering with Sport 24, a live sports channel operated under IMG, to provide 24/7 programming on international flights through Delta Sync Wi-Fi, starting this fall.

For travelers, the pitch is simple: instead of relying solely on traditional inflight screens, Delta said passengers will be able to access Sport 24 on their own devices while connected to the Delta Sync Wi-Fi service. The company described the feature as part of its broader Delta Sync platform, which it says is designed around entertainment, connectivity and journey-specific experiences unlocked through free SkyMiles Membership.

Under the partnership, Delta said Sport 24 will be available via a web player accessible from the Delta Sync Wi-Fi portal using SkyMiles credentials. If a customer is not already a SkyMiles member, Delta said the membership is free and required to log on to the service. The airline also said Sport 24 Extra channels will be available alongside the main Sport 24 channel.

Delta’s announcement ties the sports expansion to its connected-customer strategy and to an identified goal of serving sports fans as the airline doubles down on its “premium” positioning for passengers who want content relevant to where they are going. Delta’s chief marketing and product officer, Ranjan Goswami, said in the release that live sports help connect people across borders and time zones, and that Sport 24 will let international travelers stay focused on the moments that matter while they travel.

Sport 24 is positioned by Delta as the first and only dedicated live sports channel available on airlines and cruise ships globally. Delta said the channel is owned, operated and licensed by IMG and delivers around-the-clock sports programming for travelers while they fly. Coverage will span major competitions including the NFL, NBA, Premier League, UEFA competitions, Formula 1, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments, with Delta saying programming will prioritize the most relevant live event available at the time.

On route coverage, Delta said Delta Sync Wi-Fi is already available on all international flights. It also said it has full coverage across its transatlantic network to Europe, Latin America, Israel and Africa. For transpacific routes, Delta said “gate-to-gate” connectivity is coming this fall, and it is preparing for nonstop service to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with free Wi-Fi powered by T-Mobile on that flight launch.

The timing of the Sport 24 launch is linked to international flying. Delta said the Sport 24 experience will be available through Delta Sync Wi-Fi on international routes between the U.S. and destinations abroad, with passengers accessing the channel on personal devices through the Delta Sync Wi-Fi portal rather than through a dedicated inflight broadcast channel.

Delta’s release also situates the partnership in a larger inflight-content effort that includes “Live TV” on equipped aircraft, plus streaming partnerships and interactive experiences. It said it will introduce new flights and targeted capacity upgrades aligned to marquee pro football games across the season, and that Sport 24 expands that sports focus to international routes.

Still, Delta did not lay out additional commercial details such as the exact rollout sequence by region, whether all aircraft with Delta Sync Wi-Fi will carry the same Sport 24 presentation, or how Sport 24 selects and refreshes event lineups moment to moment. The release also did not specify any pricing beyond Delta Sync Wi-Fi access requirements, nor did it quantify incremental customer usage, retention, or revenue expectations tied to the new sports channel.