Netflix Scores! (Exclusive Rights to Women’s World Cup in U.S.)

Women. Photo: Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Olé! Netflix, continuing its official encroachment into the sports world, has scored the exclusive U.S. rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for both the 2027 and 2031 tournaments, the streamer confirmed on Friday, December 20. FIFA said, in a statement shared by Variety, that the acquisition “further reinforces the tournament’s status as the single biggest women’s sporting event on the planet and provides an outstanding platform to further promote the game.” Netflix, meanwhile, is pushing further and further into live sporting events, despite its admittedly spotty record. It will broadcast WWE’s Raw starting in January, and it has a big NFL game with a Beyoncé halftime show this Christmas.

The news arrives on the very same day that Netflix confirmed a deal with South Korean broadcaster SBS to air more of its content, including the ever-popular K-dramas, per Korea JoongAng Daily. The deal includes the rights to both new and archive content from SBS. Popular shows in Korea that will now be available on Netflix in early 2025 include Running Man, Unanswered Questions, Kick a Goal, Hot Stove League, and The Penthouse: War in Life. Big Red knows what the hot commodities are: International dramas and women’s sports. We repeat: Olé! Or more like “Hwaiting!”