Netflix Strikes Deal for 2027, 2031 Women's World Cups in US
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Netflix has secured exclusive US broadcast rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women's World Cups, marking a significant expansion of the streaming giant's foray into live sports, according to Reuters.
This landmark deal will grant US viewers live access to every match of both tournaments, including Puerto Rico. The broadcasts will be available in both English and Spanish throughout the US.
"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," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a statement. "Besides broadcasting the tournaments themselves, Netflix will play a key role in terms of bringing the fascination of women's football to a multi-million audience in the lead-up to both final tournaments, thereby enabling us to further increase their appeal."
The 2027 Women's World Cup, set to be played in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, marks the tournament's first foray into South America. The host nation for the 2031 edition is yet to be determined by the FIFA Congress.
Beyond live coverage, Netflix will produce a documentary series leading up to each tournament.
The agreement underscores Netflix's strategic investment in sports content, aiming to bolster its library with exclusive programming. The company recently achieved success with a Mike Tyson-Jake Paul boxing match that drew over 100 million viewers globally, and will also stream two live NFL games on Christmas Day.
This deal follows tense negotiations for the 2023 Women's World Cup, where FIFA's decision to sell broadcast rights separately for the women's tournament compared to the men's nearly resulted in blackouts in key markets. The 2023 tournament, culminating in a highly-watched final between England and Spain, achieved record viewership, with 12 million viewers tuning in to the BBC for the championship match in the UK.