Netflix has secured exclusive rights in the US to stream the next two editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup, confirmed by both parties on Friday. This marks the first time the tournament will be available on a streaming service, signaling a significant shift in how major sporting events are consumed.
In a separate statement, FIFA highlighted that the Women's World Cup is the first competition to be fully acquired by the streaming giant. While financial terms remain undisclosed, this partnership points to a growing trend in sports media. Following the announcement, Netflix shares experienced a 1.8% increase during Friday afternoon trade, contributing to a remarkable 89% surge so far this year.
The 2027 edition of the tournament is set to unfold in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, with the location for the 2031 edition yet to be determined by the FIFA Congress. Netflix has indicated plans to create exclusive documentary programming leading up to the event, further enhancing its sports content portfolio.
The popularity of women's sports is evident, as seen with the recent boxing match between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, which became the most-watched professional women's sports event in US history, attracting 74 million viewers globally. This was highlighted by Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria, who noted the significant demand for live programming related to women's sports.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino referred to the Netflix deal as a landmark moment for sports media rights, with coverage extending to Puerto Rico and including all languages. Additionally, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight attracted 108 million views, and Netflix plans to stream two National Football League games on Christmas Day.
In October, Netflix reported third-quarter financial results that exceeded expectations, with new subscriber numbers surpassing estimates on Wall Street..