- Australia reached the final four in the local tournament in 2023
- Record crowds and television audiences enjoyed his career
- The new agreement could leave many of them out by 2027
Matildas fans hoping to watch the Australian stars at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil will have to shell out for Netflix subscriptions after the streaming giant claimed rights to the tournament.
Netflix will make history by streaming the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups, following its live sports streaming debut with the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight earlier this year.
FIFA hopes the deal with Netflix will further expand women’s football.
“This is a historic moment for sports media rights,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“As a leading brand and new long-term partner of FIFA, Netflix has demonstrated a very strong level of commitment to the growth of women’s football.
‘This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and global women’s football.
Injured captain Sam Kerr made a grand return for the Matildas at the 2023 Women’s World Cup
A legion of new fans turned out to watch the Matildas on their giant-killing run in 2023.
Fans are feared to dwindle now that the World Cup is on subscription streaming service Netflix.
“FIFA and Netflix’s partnership makes this a truly historic day for broadcasting and women’s football.”
It comes after the success of the recent Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
The Matildas reached the semi-finals of the tournament and Australian spectators were able to watch all matches for free. Seven’s coverage reached 18.6 million with an additional 3.82 million on 7plus.
Not all fans are happy with Netflix’s new deal, with many taking to social media to complain that low-income households won’t be able to watch the next two World Cups.
“Seeing the news that Netflix won the rights to stream the Women’s World Cup, I can’t help but think that kids from low-income families will be less likely to watch it… Makes me a little sad,” one fan posted.
‘I’m sorry, but this really sucks. “I most likely would never have been exposed to women’s football or the World Cup if it was through a subscription service,” added another.
“For the next two Women’s World Cups to be held exclusively on a streaming platform is a huge step backwards for the growth of women’s football. “It’s a big disappointment,” lamented another.
Netflix will also present a pre-World Cup documentary series to promote the event.
“Bringing this iconic tournament to Netflix is not just about streaming matches,” Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said in a statement.
“It’s also about celebrating the players, culture and passion driving the global rise of women’s sport.”