For the first time, El Clásico has been scheduled for a 3pm kickoff on Saturday as La Liga "seeks to capture Asia's attention and its cash." La Liga Chief Communications Officer Joris Evers said, "We are keen to provide our fans in Asia the opportunity to watch Real Madrid and Barcelona face off at a time that is convenient to them." With a potential TV audience of 650 million people, El Clásico is the "most watched club match around the world" (AFP, 12/19).
The expanded Big Bash League has 100 matches scheduled this summer but there are "even more to come under proposals presented to broadcasters" as part of the next TV rights deal, with 16 extra men's games next season and the possibility of more from '19-21. The shortest of formats will also expand in the proposed '19-23 Futures Tour Programs, "with a cut back in ODIs and a trimming of Tests" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/20).
Supercars is "set to trial a MotoGP-style qualifying format at its two shortest circuits next season." In a bid to "ease traffic concerns" on the short Symmons Plains and Barbagallo circuits, the series announced it will debut a "staggered qualifying system" for those two rounds. Like in MotoGP, the running order will be determined based on practice times, although it will be run over three sessions rather than two (MOTORSPORT, 12/19).
Toyota confirmed it will participate in the '18-19 FIA World Endurance Championship superseason. The Japanese manufacturer confirmed it will "continue in the LMP1 division of the series for a seventh season" following the release of the final technical and sporting regulations for '18-19 (MOTORSPORT, 12/19).
