Netflix has bought the live rights in the US to the 2027 and 2031 editions of the Women’s World Cup in a move described as a “landmark moment” by tournament organisers Fifa.
The move marks the first time Netflix has acquired the rights to show a full sporting competition, coming after the platform carried Mike Tyson’s fight against Jake Paul in November and announced it will be broadcasting two NFL matches live on December 25.
Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria called the tournament “iconic” and said the platform would also focus on “celebrating the players, the culture and the passion driving the global rise of women’s sport”.
“I’ve seen the fandom for the [tournament] grow tremendously – from the electric atmosphere in France in 2019 to, most recently, the incredible energy we saw across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand last year,” she added.
Netflix has exclusive U.S. rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the 2027 and 2031 tournaments. pic.twitter.com/aY3QYcLgAe
— Netflix (@netflix) December 20, 2024
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Fifa: Netflix deal ‘historic’
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the agreement “sends a strong message” about the “real value” of the women’s game.
The 2027 tournament will take place in Brazil, while the hosts of the finals taking place four years later are yet to be decided.
“This is a landmark moment for sports media rights,” he suggested. “As a marquee brand and Fifa’s new long-term partner, Netflix has shown a very strong level of commitment to growing women’s football.
“Fifa and Netflix partnering together makes this a truly historic day for broadcasting and for women’s football.”
The #FIFAWWC 2023 was a special one…
Let’s do it all again in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July in 2027. 😁🏆 pic.twitter.com/1BO0qn5RB8
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) December 11, 2024
Netflix: Football, tennis, boxing and more
According to Netflix, 60 million households watched 58-year-old former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson take on 27-year-old Paul, who is better known as a YouTube celebrity.
The US women’s World Cup team, Brazil all-time top scorer Neymar and ex-England captain David Beckham have been among the subjects of Netflix sporting documentaries.
A new docuseries announced on Wednesday will also follow tennis legend Rafael Nadal’s comeback to competitive action during the 2024 season.
Nadal, who retired last month, took on his protege, Carlos Alcaraz, in an exhibition match titled The Netflix Slam in Las Vegas in March.
