ZURICH (AP) — FIFA has signed Netflix to a United States broadcast deal for the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031.
The deal announced Friday is the most significant FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. The value was not given.
World Cups are typically broadcast on free-to-air public networks to reach the biggest audiences.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino publicly criticized public broadcasters, especially in Europe, for undervaluing offers to broadcast the 2023 tournament that was played in Australia and New Zealand. That tournament was broadcast by Fox in the U.S.
“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 will likely use the Netflix deal to drive talks with European broadcasters that will be more hardball negotiations.
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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