Netflix will exclusively stream the next two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States, scheduled for 2027 and 2031, as announced jointly by FIFA and Netflix on Friday.
“This is a landmark moment for sports media rights,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game,” Infantino continued. “FIFA and Netflix are partnering together to make this a truly historic day for broadcasting and for women’s football.”
“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,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria.
This announcement represents Netflix’s continued expansion into live sports. Earlier this year, the streaming platform secured a three-year agreement to air the NFL’s Christmas Day games, starting with two matchups this Wednesday: the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Houston Texans. In addition, Netflix revealed last month that Beyoncé would headline the halftime show during the Ravens-Texans game.
“Last year, we decided to take a big bet on life — tapping into massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more,” Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said when the NFL deal was announced.”
Netflix Grabs 2027, 2031 Women's World Cup TV Rights https://t.co/D1pRxvCQin pic.twitter.com/DRpgS0D5w8
— Sportico (@Sportico) December 20, 2024
In November, Netflix made headlines in the boxing world by hosting the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, an event traditionally reserved for pay-per-view platforms. The streaming service later reported that the bout was watched by 60 million households globally.
Starting in 2025, Netflix will also secure exclusive rights to WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, as part of a 10-year deal worth over $5 billion. FIFA and Netflix stated that the upcoming Women’s World Cups will mark the first time the tournament is fully acquired by Netflix, underscoring its status as the world’s premier women’s sporting event.
Over two million viewers tuned in on FOX and Telemundo to watch Spain defeat England and claim the 2023 Women’s World Cup title, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, the United States women’s national team exited the tournament early, losing to Sweden in the Round of 16. Despite their early departure, the USWNT’s four matches averaged nearly 3.8 million viewers in 2023, as reported by FOX.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
