Netflix Scores Exclusive US Rights to FIFA Women’s World Cup

Netflix has signed a deal with FIFA for the exclusive rights to stream the Women’s World Cup in the US for the next two tournaments in 2027 and 2031.

The video-streaming service will provide “US-based fans with unparalleled access to every match live and to immersive coverage, including star-studded studio shows,” FIFA says. The streams will include Puerto Rico and “covers all languages, with top-tier talent poised to feature in a dual telecast for both English- and Spanish-language broadcasts in the US.”

Netflix will also produce a documentary series that follows the lead-up to both tournaments, with a focus on top players, their journeys, and the rise of women’s football.

Netflix already produced a few other soccer-focused series and movies, including Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team and the documentary about David Beckham.

The video service has already dipped its toes in live streaming sporting events, however, the FIFA Women’s World Cup is the first competition acquired by Netflix in full. On Nov. 15, the company streamed a fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson to 60 million households. And Netflix will stream two NFL games on Christmas Day to its entire subscriber base. Those games could be a true test of the company’s technical capabilities to live stream popular events.

Netflix’s push into live streaming sports also comes as the company has ramped up its efforts for its ad-supported tier, which now has 70 million monthly active users globally.

Apple has also tested the US’s appetite for the sport with its all-inclusive 10-year Major League Soccer partnership. The MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ includes access to every game, worldwide, without blackout restrictions. After two years, 1 million viewers are tuning into the Saturday soccer matches, The New York Times reports.

About Tyler Hayes

Contributor

I’ve contributed to PCMag since 2019, covering all kinds of consumer electronics. As a self-identifying early adopter of technology, I’ve stumbled through the changing devices over the years and usually end up writing about how they work, why they’re great, or how they could be better.

Read Tyler’s full bio

Read the latest from Tyler Hayes