Netflix secures US rights for next two Women’s World Cups

Streaming giant Netflix has secured exclusive live US rights to the next two Women’s World Cups.

Football’s global governing body FIFA announced the deal for the 2027 and 2031 finals on Friday. It is the first time Netflix has acquired the live rights to a sports competition in full.

“As a marquee brand and FIFA’s new long-term partner, Netflix has shown a very strong level of commitment to growing women’s football,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.

“This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game. FIFA and Netflix partnering together makes this a truly historic day for broadcasting and for women’s football.”

Infantino was critical of broadcasters in the build-up to last year’s finals in Australia and New Zealand, saying some of the offers for the live rights were “very disappointing and simply not acceptable”.

Deals were eventually done in all territories, but Infantino’s challenge to broadcasters was part of his mission to make prize money the same for the 2027 Women’s World Cup as it will be for the men’s finals the year before.

In the United Kingdom, the Women’s World Cup is one of the “crown jewel” sporting events which must be offered to free-to-air broadcasters.

There is the possibility that the UK could bid to host the 2031 finals, after a joint bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands for 2027 was beaten by Brazil.