Netflix Expands into Live Sports: A New Era for Football Broadcasting

Netflix has strategically increased its focus on live sports, allocating nearly £4 billion ($5 billion) for events such as WWE, in addition to streaming high-profile boxing matches. Following Paramount’s recent acquisition of Champions League rights in the United Kingdom for approximately £1 billion ($1.3 billion), Netflix is poised to compete with Sky and TNT for domestic Premier League contracts, as reported by The Times.

The streaming platform is also likely to challenge NBC for American rights to the English Premier League. According to reports, the current domestic broadcasting deals are set to expire in 2029, whereas NBC’s contract will conclude a year earlier. The NBC deal is valued at around $2 billion (£1.5 billion), making it the most lucrative overseas agreement for the Premier League. Bidding for the upcoming rights packages is anticipated within the next year.

A source informed The Times, “The significant development for football—both in European and domestic leagues—is Netflix’s newfound interest in acquiring rights. Coupled with Paramount’s entry into the market, this is promising news for football because it will foster increased competition for these rights. The Premier League remains the most appealing domestic league globally, making the acquisition of its rights a likely goal for both Netflix and Paramount.”

Last month, UEFA appeared to welcome streaming services like Netflix and Disney into the broadcasting arena. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized the organization’s commitment to innovation in media rights during the European Football Clubs General Assembly in October. He stated, “Through this joint venture, the game will grow. With [marketing agency] Relevent by our side, we have the strongest team to make this happen. We are building something unique and ambitious, aiming to deliver the most engaging, innovative, and accessible football experience. We seek to expand our core revenue streams and inspire new fans to engage with our competitions, especially in an evolving media and streaming landscape. By maximizing digital platforms, we aim to bring the game closer to everyone, thereby strengthening our clubs and maintaining European football’s premier status.”

Netflix has previously had success with live sporting events, notably attracting 65 million viewers for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match in 2024. While the streaming service holds rights for the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 in the United States, it remains uncertain whether they will secure rights for men’s football.