The streaming giant stated that coverage will consist of commentary and entertainment from studio shows and other high-profile personalities before the tournament.
Netflix on Friday said it has acquired the rights to stream the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States in 2027 and 2031.
This comes only days before Netflix begins airing its first ever National League Football Christmas Day matches. It proves that the streaming giant is still expanding the rights for sports content by adding the Women’s World Cup to its portfolio. It also comes at a time when women’s sports have been on the rise in the last one year.
“I have witnessed the fandom of FIFA Women’s World Cup get bigger – from the excitement in France in 2019 and the recent one in Australia and New Zealand in 2023,” Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said in a statement. “It is not just about streaming the matches, but about showcasing the players, the fans, and the drive behind the growth of women’s sports around the world.”
The 2027 tournament is expected to be held in 12 cities of Brazil.
Netflix stated that Women’s World Cup coverage will feature commentary and entertainment from studio shows and premier talent, in addition to Netflix original docs on the stars and the burgeoning soccer fandom ahead of the tournament.
The Women’s World Cup has been getting bigger and more people in the United States watched the women’s final in 2019 than the men’s in 2018. It fell sharply in 2023, especially after the two-time defending champions failed to progress beyond the Round of 16.
While the audience for the WNBA and the women’s national soccer team has expanded greatly in the United States, soccer remains one of the most popular sports worldwide.
Netflix has 282.7 million memberships across the world, and the company has been seeking expansion overseas in part through its lower-cost, ad-supported service.
Sports media rights have also grown phenomenally in value for media houses as live sporting events attract the largest viewership.
Netflix has further expanded into the sports segment, with broadcasting a Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight last month, which was viewed by 108 million people, as per Netflix, the most-watched sporting event.
On Christmas day, the streamer is expected to broadcast NFL twin-bill match between Kansas City Chiefs against Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens against Houston Texans.
