Netflix eyes 2030 World Cup rights

Sports Business Journal reported on May 21 that Netflix is interested in talking with FIFA about the broadcasting rights to the 2030 men’s World Cup, extending the streamer’s push into global live sports. The report said the possibility surfaced during a podcast appearance by Netflix Vice President of Sports Gabe Spitzer with Andrew Marchand. Sports Business Journal said Netflix’s next major live-sports step is the 2027 Women’s World Cup, but that the company may be looking beyond that event to a larger FIFA property. ### What exactly was reported about Netflix and FIFA? Sports Business Journal said Netflix is “interested in talking” to FIFA about the 2030 men’s World Cup rights, framing the idea as a possible next move after the company’s women’s tournament deal. The report did not describe a completed negotiation or an agreement. Yahoo Sports, citing Marchand’s interview with Spitzer, reported the Netflix executive said, “I think with any big event, we want to have the conversation.” That account aligns with Sports Business Journal’s characterization that Netflix wants to be in discussions around the tournament. (sportsbusinessjournal.com) ### Why is the 2027 Women’s World Cup central to this story? (sportsbusinessjournal.com) FIFA announced on December 20, 2024 that Netflix had secured exclusive U.S. rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups. FIFA called it a historic agreement and said the deal also included Puerto Rico and all languages in the United States. (sports.yahoo.com) Netflix later said it expanded that arrangement into Canada, where the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups will also stream on the service. Netflix’s Tudum site said the 2027 tournament in Brazil will run from June 24 to July 25, 2027, with 32 teams and eight host cities. ### What would Netflix be chasing with the 2030 men’s tournament? FIFA said the 2030 men’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with a centenary celebration and three matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. (inside.fifa.com) FIFA said the main hosts will stage 101 matches, while the South American countries will stage the opening centenary fixtures. (netflix.com) That makes the 2030 event one of the biggest remaining global sports-rights prizes. Sports Business Journal described it as an “even larger prize” than the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which would already be Netflix’s largest broadcasting effort to date. ### How does this fit Netflix’s current sports strategy? Netflix has added live sports selectively rather than pursuing a full schedule approach. (fifa.com) Its current lineup includes the FIFA Women’s World Cup deal, weekly WWE “Raw” programming and an expanded NFL package for 2026, according to Netflix and recent sports-rights reports. (sportsbusinessjournal.com) An Apple Podcasts description for a recent appearance by Spitzer said Netflix is pursuing an “event-first sports strategy” centered on major tentpoles rather than volume. That description is consistent with the company’s existing rights mix and with the idea that FIFA’s men’s World Cup would fit the same model. ### What happens next? (inside.fifa.com) June 24, 2027 is the next fixed FIFA milestone in Netflix’s portfolio, when the Women’s World Cup opens in Brazil. Sports Business Journal’s May 21 report indicates any 2030 men’s World Cup move would begin with talks between Netflix and FIFA rather than a finalized rights award. (netflix.com) (podcasts.apple.com)