Netflix has signed a deal with FIFA for exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to two upcoming Women’s World Cup tournaments, ESPN reports. The agreement covers both 2027 and 2031 events.
Neither organization has disclosed the financial value of the deal, but it is reported to be the most significant deal FIFA has ever signed with a major tournament streaming service. FIFA President Gianni Infantino called it “a landmark moment for sports media rights and a truly historic day for broadcasting and women’s football.”
This is the first time FIFA has lifted media rights to a women’s event, which will take effect after Fox broadcasts the next men’s World Cup in 2026. The 2027 Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil. A decision has not yet been made to host the event in 2031, but the United States is expected to be in the running.
This is a pretty big deal for Netflix, considering FIFA reports that 1.12 billion people watched the 2019 Women’s World Cup, which was won by the United States. Of course, these are global numbers, but the 2023 tournament had the highest viewership ever in the United States. The sport is definitely gaining popularity on this side of the pond.
Netflix has been making big inroads into the world of live sports events recently. There was the absolutely ridiculous Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, and soon the platform will be home to weekly WWE Monday Night Raw broadcasts.
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