Netflix scores exclusive rights to 2030 World Cup in Spain

Spain is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 alongside Morocco and Portugal as part of the competition’s 100^th anniversary. Centenary celebration matches will also take place in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Netflix said it plans to show full live coverage of the tournament, including pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows offering “a distinctly Spanish perspective”, as well as a daily round-up show on match days and programming in the lead-up to the competition.

As part of the agreement, one game per matchday will be available for free in Spain. A package of matches, including every Spain game, both semi-finals and the final, will be made available on a national free-to-air broadcaster. Netflix stated that it would share details of its partnership with a Spanish broadcaster closer to the tournament.

The deal expands Netflix’s growing relationship with FIFA. Netflix also holds broadcast rights to the Women’s World Cup 2027 and 2031 in the US and Canada.

The move also builds on Netflix’s slate of live sports programming around the world, including NFL games and events, MLB, WWE, boxing and MMA fights.

Before she was laid off this week, Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, stated: "Few events unite people like the World Cup. I was in the stands this year as Spain lifted the trophy and witnessed the passion, pride, and stories. They all become part of a nation's culture and are remembered for generations. With Spain set to host in 2030, we're thrilled to bring every match to fans across Spain and Andorra on Netflix.”

Mattias Grafström, FIFA Secretary General, added: “We are pleased to build on our partnership with Netflix as we look ahead to the FIFA World Cup 2030.”

In its biggest round of cuts since 2022, Netflix has also axed approximately 6% of its employees, including big hitters like Carolina Garcia, Director, Original Series, Netflix, who was with the streamer for 10 years and oversaw The Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things. Discover more here.