FIFA and Netflix have come together in an agreement for the popular streaming platform to broadcast the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups in the United States, with the latter potentially being held in that country.
The agreement, which was announced this Friday, is the most significant that FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament.
How much was the agreement between FIFA and Netflix for the broadcasting of the Women's World Cup matches in 2027 and 2031?
Despite the significant announcement, the value of the contract was not disclosed to the media, but international women's soccer competitions have struggled to attract lucrative offers. FIFA President Gianni Infantino publicly criticized TV networks, especially in Europe, for undervaluing offers to broadcast the 2023 Women's World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. The tournament was broadcast by Fox in the United States.
The World Cups are usually broadcast on free-to-air television channels to reach the highest levels of viewership. "This agreement sends a clear message about the true value of the FIFA Women's World Cup and global women's sports," Infantino said in a statement.
In FIFA's financial accounts for 2023, when the last Women's World Cup was played, the football organization reported total broadcasting revenues of 244 million dollars. In the year of the Men's World Cup in 2022, it was almost 2.9 billion dollars.
On the other hand, Netflix ventured into live sports last month, when over 60 million households tuned in to a boxing match between retired heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul.
The next 32-team, 64-match Women's World Cup will be held in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, 2027, while the host for the 2031 edition has not been decided yet. However, it is expected that the United States will submit a bid for a tournament that FIFA aims to expand to 48 teams.