Netflix and FIFA have made headlines with a major agreement, revealing that the streaming platform will be the sole broadcaster of the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups. The announcement was made on Friday, showcasing a significant step in the world of sports broadcasting.
The deal, characterized by FIFA as both comprehensive and exclusive, will see Netflix airing every game from both tournaments in English and Spanish. Notably, there are no intentions to sublicense the broadcasting rights to traditional TV networks, marking a distinctive move in sports media distribution.
This agreement signifies a groundbreaking transition for the Women’s World Cup, as it will be the first FIFA tournament, be it men’s or women’s, to be exclusively covered by a digital streaming service in the U.S. This departure from traditional television broadcast solidifies the growing presence and influence of streaming platforms in the sports entertainment industry.
The move carries significant risks for FIFA. According to Yahoo Sports, a source familiar with the arrangement says all matches will require a Netflix subscription to view, as is standard with the platform’s content. This paywall could restrict the audience size and potentially hinder the commercial growth of the Women’s World Cup, a tournament seen by sports executives as having immense potential for rapid, lucrative growth.
Historically, the rights to both men’s and women’s World Cups were bundled together and aired in the U.S. by broadcasters such as ESPN, Fox, Univision, and Telemundo. Fox secured its first rights deal with the 2015 Women’s World Cup, which later extended controversially through the 2026 men’s tournament.
Starting with the 2027 Women’s World Cup, FIFA has opted for a new approach, separating the rights for men’s and women’s tournaments into distinct packages. The organization began soliciting bids for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups in November. By December, exclusive negotiations were underway with Netflix, culminating in this groundbreaking partnership.
“In addition to offering live coverage,” FIFA stated in its announcement, “Netflix will produce exclusive documentary series in the lead-up to both tournaments, spotlighting the world’s top players, their journeys and the global growth of women’s football.”
While financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, it reflects a broader trend of sports organizations exploring partnerships with non-traditional broadcasters, including streaming platforms like Apple and Amazon.
Netflix, though relatively new to live sports broadcasting, has gained recognition for its sports documentaries, such as those covering the U.S. and Spanish women’s national teams. Recently, it streamed a one-off boxing match featuring Mike Tyson and Jake Paul and plans to air NFL games on Christmas Day. The Women’s World Cup may serve as a significant step in Netflix’s expansion into live sports.
The agreement will commence with the 2027 Women’s World Cup, set to be held in Brazil. The host nation for the 2031 tournament has yet to be determined, with the United States, potentially in partnership with Mexico, expected to submit a bid. Other potential contenders include China and several European nations.
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