Netflix Secures 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup Rights

Netflix has clinched an exclusive streaming deal for the next two FIFA Women’s World Cups, set to take place in 2027 and 2031. This groundbreaking agreement marks the first time the women’s tournament will be broadcast separately from the men’s competition, a major victory for the streaming giant as it continues its push into the live sports arena. FIFA announced the deal on Friday, confirming that the next two editions of the Women’s World Cup will be streamed solely on Netflix, marking a historic shift in how the women’s tournament is distributed.

The agreement represents a pivotal moment for both FIFA and Netflix. It is the first time FIFA has ever negotiated broadcasting rights for the Women’s World Cup separately from the men’s tournament. Historically, both the men’s and women’s competitions were broadcast together on free-to-air public networks, but this deal breaks that tradition. The 2026 Men’s World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will still be aired on Fox and Telemundo, but from 2027 onward, the spotlight will shift exclusively to Netflix for the women’s event.

FIFA has not disclosed the financial details of the deal, but it is widely regarded as one of the most significant agreements FIFA has ever made with a streaming service. Netflix’s expansion into live sports broadcasting has been met with increasing interest, as the company looks to tap into the growing popularity of sports content. The move follows Netflix’s foray into live sports, with the streamer already broadcasting high-profile events such as a boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, which attracted 108 million viewers in a highly publicized debut.

In addition to streaming the games, Netflix plans to produce a variety of documentary programming surrounding the tournaments. The company aims to spotlight top players, delve into the rapid rise of women’s soccer globally, and explore the cultural impact of the sport. Netflix has also committed to providing supplemental coverage through studio shows, bringing in top-tier talent to offer commentary, analysis, and entertainment for viewers.

The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be a historic event in its own right. Scheduled to take place from June 24 to July 25, 2027, the tournament will be hosted in Brazil, marking the first time the event will be held in South America. A total of 32 teams will compete across 12 cities, with Brazil becoming the sixth country to host both the men’s and women’s World Cups. This milestone further enhances the significance of the tournament, which will be a showcase for women’s soccer on a global stage.

The location for the 2031 Women’s World Cup has not yet been determined, but the United States is expected to submit a bid to host the event. Other potential contenders include China, Japan, England, Morocco, and South Africa. FIFA is expected to announce the host country by the second quarter of 2025, which will mark another significant development in the women’s sport.

The 2019 Women’s World Cup in France saw a total of 1.12 billion viewers across the globe, underscoring the massive appeal of the event. The final, where the U.S. defeated the Netherlands to claim their fourth title, was watched by 263.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched match in the history of the tournament. The 2023 Women’s World Cup also set a new record when 6.43 million people tuned in to watch the U.S. team draw with the Netherlands in the group stage, marking the most-watched group stage match in the history of the tournament. These figures highlight the growing popularity of women’s soccer and the immense potential for streaming platforms like Netflix to capitalize on this trend.

Netflix’s move into live sports broadcasting is part of a broader strategy to expand its content offerings and attract new subscribers. While the company’s initial foray into live sports had mixed results, including the highly publicized Jake Paul-Mike Tyson boxing match, the upcoming Women’s World Cup tournaments represent a much larger opportunity. The streaming platform has already made plans to air a double-header of NFL Christmas Day games later this month and is preparing to stream WWE “Raw” live from the new Intuit Dome in Los Angeles in January 2025. These events, along with the exclusive rights to the Women’s World Cup, signal that Netflix is serious about becoming a major player in live sports broadcasting.

This deal also signals a shift in how sports broadcasting rights are distributed in the digital age. With more viewers turning to streaming platforms for their entertainment, the traditional model of broadcasting live sports on television is evolving. Netflix, with its vast global reach and experience in creating engaging content, is well-positioned to reshape the landscape of sports broadcasting. The ability to produce exclusive documentaries and supplementary content around these events also allows Netflix to offer a more immersive viewing experience, catering to both die-hard soccer fans and casual viewers alike.

The deal with FIFA is also significant in the broader context of women’s sports. As interest in women’s soccer continues to grow, having the Women’s World Cup exclusively on a streaming platform like Netflix could help elevate the profile of the sport even further. By offering compelling content around the event, Netflix can help bring attention to the incredible talent on display while expanding the global audience for women’s sports.

As the 2027 Women’s World Cup draws closer, all eyes will be on Netflix and how it handles the live broadcasting of one of the most prestigious tournaments in women’s sports. This deal represents not only a major achievement for Netflix but also a potential turning point for the future of sports broadcasting, with streaming services becoming an increasingly important platform for live sports content.