Netflix has taken its latest step into broadcasting live sports by agreeing a deal with Fifa for exclusive rights in the United States to show the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups, it was announced on Dec 20.
World football’s governing body did not say how much the deal was worth for the tournaments, although Fifa president Gianni Infantino said in a statement that the “agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game”.
Netflix, the streaming service will also produce a documentary series on women’s football in the build-up to both tournaments.
The 2027 edition will take place in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, while the host of the 2031 competition will be decided at a later date.
Fifa said the agreement for the US included Puerto Rico and covered all languages.
“This is a landmark moment for sports media rights,” added Infantino.
The deal, which Fifa has described as a “landmark media rights deal in women’s football”, means the streaming platform acquire the rights to cover a football competition in full for the first time, and will include coverage in multiple languages. The 2027 tournament is being staged in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July 2027 and will involve 32 teams. The host of the 2031 competition is yet to be determined.
“This is a landmark moment for sports media rights,” said Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino. “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. This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the Fifa Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game.”
