Netflix is planning to spend up to $3 billion to secure the broadcasting rights for the 2030 Men's World Cup, seeking to strip conventional television of football's flagship tournament.
The streaming giant is aiming for a major breakthrough in sports broadcasting after missing out on an opportunity to acquire media conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery. Following Spain's World Cup victory 16 years after winning its first title, Netflix is seeking to achieve a similar landmark expansion in the sports market.
According to a report by Spanish news outlet Merca2, the subscription platform plans to invest up to $3 billion to win the transmission rights for the next men's tournament and take coverage away from traditional television channels.
2030 FIFA World Cup Host Countries
The 2030 World Cup will mark the centenary of the tournament, which was first celebrated in 1930. The quadrennial competition will feature matches played across six different countries in Europe, Africa, and South America.
Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will serve as the primary joint host nations for the event. To mark 100 years of the competition, opening centenary matches will also take place in South America, hosted by Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.
Netflix Expansion into Live Sports
The proposed football bid follows earlier moves by Netflix into live event programming. The company has previously broadcast live boxing matches, major special events for professional wrestling organization WWE, and its own exhibition tennis tournaments as it seeks to build a comprehensive sports offering.
Acquiring global football rights represents the next major target for the streaming service. Ahead of the 2030 men's tournament, Netflix will broadcast the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil to viewers in North America, where Spain will also defend its world title.
Netflix aims to become the official broadcaster for the men's tournament. Its operational delivery and performance during the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil will serve as a crucial test of its broadcasting capabilities ahead of the 2030 bid.
