Netflix has secured the U.S. broadcasting rights to the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 as part of its expansion into live sports, marking the most significant deal FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament.
The value of the deal was not disclosed, although international competitions in women’s soccer have historically struggled to attract high-value offers.
The big picture: Netflix’s foray into live sports includes the broadcast of a heavily hyped boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, along with plans to broadcast two NFL games on Christmas Day as part of a three-year deal announced earlier in the year.
- The deal marks a significant step in Netflix’s push into live programming as it aims to sell more advertising, with its ad-supported version becoming the fastest-growing part of its service, despite the majority of its subscribers still opting for higher-priced ad-free options.
Zoom out: FIFA is expected to leverage the Netflix deal in negotiations with European broadcasters, aiming to increase broadcast deal prices to fund increased prize money.
What we’re watching: The next Women’s World Cup in 2027 will be a 32-team, 64-game tournament in Brazil, and the 2031 host has yet to be decided, with expectations for an expansion to 48 teams, matching the format of the men’s World Cup.
- Ahead of the upcoming Women’s World Cup events, Netflix plans to produce exclusive documentary series to spotlight top players, their journeys, and the global growth of women’s football in a lead-up to both tournaments.
What they’re saying: “Bringing this iconic tournament to Netflix isn’t just about streaming matches,”said Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria in a statement. “It’s also about celebrating the players, the culture and the passion driving the global rise of women’s sport.”
