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Published : Dec 20, 2024 20:51 IST – 1 MIN READ
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FIFA is expected to leverage the Netflix breakthrough to conduct more hardball negotiations in the European markets. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Netflix is all set to be the broadcast partner for FIFA in the United States for the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031.
The deal, announced on Friday, is the most significant one FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. That said, the value of the partnership has not been revealed. This is a departure from the norm of World Cups usually being free-to-air on public networks so as to reach as big an audience as possible.
However, the concept of free-to-air has been openly criticized by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, particularly in the European market, with the sport’s supremo blasting the ecosystem for undervaluing the game as a product. This was particularly the case ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup which was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. In the US, the tournament was broadcast by Fox.
The @FIFAWWC is coming to @Netflix! 📺
FIFA and Netflix have signed a historic agreement relating to the exclusive rights in the United States to the 2027 and 2031 instalments of the FIFA Women's World Cup:
“This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game,” Infantino said Friday in a statement.
FIFA is expected to leverage the Netflix breakthrough to conduct more hardball negotiations in the European markets.
The 32-team, 64-game tournament in 2027 will be played in Brazil from June 24-July 25. The 2031 host has not been decided, though the U.S. is expected to bid.
Spain won the 2023 tournament after the U.S. won the two previous titles.
Netflix dipped into live sports last month with more than 60 million households watching a heavily hyped boxing match between retired heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul.
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