Netflix Secures Exclusive Rights

In a groundbreaking move, Netflix has secured exclusive broadcast rights for the upcoming 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups in the United States, marking a historic first for the tournament to be aired on a streaming platform. Although the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, FIFA has hailed it as a 'landmark' agreement that could reshape the landscape of sports broadcasting.

Commitment to Women's Football

This momentous deal highlights Netflix's commitment to elevating women's football, following its successful production of documentaries focused on the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and Spain's national team during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. In addition to streaming matches live, Netflix plans to launch a documentary series showcasing the behind-the-scenes stories leading up to both tournaments.

FIFA's Praise

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, 'This is a landmark moment for sports media rights. Netflix's strong commitment to women's football sends a powerful message about the real value of the FIFA Women's World Cup and the global women's game.'

Rising Popularity of Women’s Sports

With the rising popularity of women's sports, Netflix is ramping up its presence in live sports broadcasting. Following its first live boxing event featuring Mike Tyson and Jake Paul—and the co-main event between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor, which attracted a staggering 74 million viewers—Netflix is poised to cater to a growing audience eager for more live content.

Anticipated Impact

Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, remarked, 'Our record-breaking success with Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor demonstrated the massive appetite for women’s sports and live programming. This iconic tournament will not just be about streaming matches—it’s about celebrating the players, the culture, and the passion driving the global rise of women’s sports.'

A Historical Shift in Broadcasting Rights

Historically, the broadcasting rights for the Women’s World Cup were included as add-ons with men's World Cup rights, but in 2023, the bidding process was separated, allowing networks to solely bid for the women’s tournament. Fox previously held these rights, with the 2023 event witnessing Spain clinching its first title by defeating England 1-0 in the final.

Future of Women's World Cup

Looking forward, the 2027 World Cup is set to take place in Brazil, while both U.S. Soccer and the Mexican Soccer Federation have jointly announced plans to bid for the 2031 tournament. Meanwhile, there have been discussions suggesting that England could also be a potential host.

Conclusion

This monumental shift in who broadcasts women's soccer provides not only a significant opportunity for Netflix but also a chance for women's sports to reach unprecedented levels of viewership. The U.S. audience has demonstrated substantial interest; for instance, the 2015 final between the U.S. and Japan drew 26.7 million viewers. In a country where women’s soccer is rapidly gaining ground, this deal could very well skyrocket visibility and engagement.

As Netflix embarks on this new adventure into live sports, the implications could be profound—not only for the service itself but for the future of women's soccer across the globe. Get ready, fans—this could change everything!