CBC Sports strikes 5-year broadcast deal with Canadian Elite Basketball League
CEBL on CBC five year broadcast agreement
CBC Sports is returning to Canadian professional basketball in a big way. The public broadcaster announced Tuesday a comprehensive five-year partnership with the Canadian Elite Basketball League, bringing marquee games back to CBC-TV while expanding digital coverage across multiple platforms.
The deal represents a significant reunion, as CBC Sports served as the CEBL’s broadcast partner during the league’s inaugural seasons from 2019 through 2022. Bell Media‘s TSN and RDS have carried select games in recent years, but this new agreement positions CBC as the league’s primary broadcast home once again.
Comprehensive coverage across multiple platforms
Under the new partnership, CBC Sports will offer select regular-season games on CBC-TV, while all regular-season and playoff games will be available on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports YouTube channel. The coverage will complement the league’s existing CEBL+ platform, giving fans multiple viewing options.
A highlight of the partnership will be the broadcast of the league’s first-ever best-of-three championship format in August, marking a significant evolution in the CEBL’s playoff structure.
« Canadian basketball is having a moment right now on the world stage, and through our partnership with the CEBL, we can bring the energy and momentum of Canada’s top young players to fans across the country, » said Chris Wilson, Executive Director of Sports and Olympics at CBC. « We are excited to share the excitement from the court with wider audiences on CBC’s platforms, and to interact with and serve local fans in CEBL locations across Canada. »
The timing couldn’t be better for Canadian basketball. The CEBL now boasts a fan base of 4.1 million Canadians, representing a 57 percent increase since 2022. Remarkably, the league has cultivated Canada’s youngest basketball audience, with over 50 percent of its fans aged 34 or younger.
CEBL President and CEO Ty Mazereeuw emphasized the partnership’s strategic importance. « As Canada’s professional basketball league, with 10 teams across the country, our focus is simple, to meet fans where they are, » he said. « Partnering with CBC Sports brings the CEBL to more Canadians on a trusted national stage, and expands access across digital platforms including CBC Gem and YouTube, giving basketball fans of all ages more choice in how they follow our biggest moments. »
The league’s growth has been impressive across multiple metrics. With 10 teams spanning six provinces, the CEBL maintains 70 percent Canadian talent, the highest proportion of domestic players in any professional league in the country. Nearly 40 CEBL alumni have signed NBA contracts, demonstrating the league’s role as a legitimate pathway to basketball’s highest level.
The 2026 regular season opens May 9 in Edmonton, with the Stingers hosting the Winnipeg Sea Bears in what promises to be an exciting start to this renewed broadcast partnership.
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