Photo By Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press via Getty Images
Netflix’s push into live sports has snagged another major event. Today the streamer announced that it has acquired US streaming rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in both 2027 and 2031. FIFA is calling the deal “a landmark announcement for women’s football.”
The 2027 edition of the tournament will take place in Brazil, while the following World Cup doesn’t yet have a host nation. The Netflix coverage in the US will include both English- and Spanish-language broadcasts, and the streamer says that it will be creating more coverage in addition to the live matches:
Studio shows and top-tier talent will supplement coverage with commentary and entertainment. And in the lead-up to the tournament, Netflix will produce exclusive documentary programming spotlighting the top players, their journeys, and the explosion of the sport around the globe.
The World Cup is the most ambitious addition to Netflix’s growing sports lineup, which to date has mostly included one-off events like the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, or a pair of NFL games that will stream on Christmas day. The World Cup, meanwhile, spans a month of matches with 32 national teams competing. It will be a huge test for Netflix’s fledgling live infrastructure.
It’s all part of a growing trend of streaming services looking to live events — and sports in particular — as the next frontier. Apple has gone all-in in MLS, Amazon airs NHL games and is getting into the NBA next year, while the likes of Max, Roku, and pretty much every service have gotten into sports in some way.