Nine has been confirmed as the official broadcast partner for the 2025 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Slalom World Championship, set to take place at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium from 29 September to 4 October 2025.

The venue, known for hosting the Olympic Games 25 years ago, will see the world's top canoe athletes competing for medals each day.

Nine will deliver over 30 hours of live and free coverage on Channel 9 and 9Now, with the broadcast scheduled to coincide with the NRL Grand Final week, a significant period in the Australian sporting calendar.

Head of Sports Partnerships and Strategy at Nine, Simon Fordham, said: "Within NRL Grand Final week we will broadcast 31 hours of live and free coverage on Channel 9 and 9Now of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships. This is an exciting acquisition for our platforms and one of the first steps on the road to the LA Olympics in 2028.

"We’re excited to bring the ICF Slalom World Championships to the Wide World of Sports. Jess and Noemie Fox captured the hearts of all Australians winning Gold in Paris and for them to headline this home event with the best paddlers in the world will be enormous for all sports fans."

Olympic gold medalist, Jessica Fox, said: "It’s super exciting to have Nine’s Wide World of Sports confirmed, supporting our sport and promoting our sport, showcasing all our amazing Aussie athletes and the international athletes that are going to come out... Nine did an amazing job during the Paris Olympics, so it’s great to have that continuity and to keep that relationship going. I’m really looking forward to it!"

The event is expected to provide significant exposure for paddle sports in Australia.

CEO of Paddle Australia, Kim Crane, said: "We are thrilled to partner with the 9Network to be able to provide more Australians the opportunity to experience the best our sport has to offer as well as reach new fans... We saw the incredible work the Wide World of Sports did during the Paris Olympic Games broadcast to provide fans with unparalleled access and we look forward to building on that great success for the ICF Slalom World Championships, Sydney 2025."

"Our goal is to showcase the world’s best competing downunder, as well as inspire a new generation to get involved in paddle sports," Crane said.

ICF President Thomas Konietzko said: "To have one of the top networks in Australia - Channel 9 and 9Now - broadcast the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships is great news... It shows the popularity of our sport Down Under after the incredible Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With the best athletes set to compete in Penrith, we hope more fans, especially youngsters, get a taste of our superb sport."