In a blockbuster move that expands Netflix‘s sports presence, the streaming giant has picked up the exclusive U.S. streaming rights to the 2027 and 2031 editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
It will be the first time that the tournament will appear on a streaming service, with Netflix securing rights in every language for the U.S., including Puerto Rico. The company says that it is planning English and Spanish-language broadcasts. It will also develop shoulder programming and studio shows to complement the live matches.
“I’ve seen the fandom for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 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,” said Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria. “Bringing this iconic tournament to Netflix isn’t just about streaming matches, it’s also about celebrating the players, the culture and the passion driving the global rise of women’s sport.”
The streaming giant will also produce documentaries connected to the tournaments. The 2027 event is set to be hosted by Brazil, with the 2031 host to be determined.
“This is a landmark moment for sports media rights,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “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. This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game. FIFA and Netflix partnering together makes this a truly historic day for broadcasting and for women’s football.”
The deal is a big one for both Netflix, for FIFA, and for the larger sports world.
It gives Netflix another marquee sports event property, following its deal with the NFL for Christmas Day games, and one-offs like the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson bout. It also gives it a foothold in the burgeoning women’s sports space, which has been growing exponentially, driven by basketball and soccer.
Netflix will also be able to leverage its expertise in sports documentaries with the events, given the unprecedented access.
FIFA, meanwhile, adds another rights partner… one with global reach and appeal. In the U.S. the rights had been split by Fox Sports and Telemundo, with Fox holding English rights and Telemundo holding Spanish rights. But Fox does not stream its matches, limiting their accessibility in some cases.
And for the larger sports world, the deal underscores the extend to which Netflix is serious about sports, even if it is still limiting its bets to “events” that it can build around, rather than more traditional season rights deals.
Source: Hollywoodreporter
