Netflix hires IMG for landmark Women’s World Cup production
Netflix has appointed IMG to produce its 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup coverage, preparing for its live football debut in the US and Canada with all 64 matches and more than 100 hours of studio programming.
Netflix has selected IMG as its production partner for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, building the broadcast operation behind what the streaming platform describes as its most ambitious sports production to date.The agreement covers live production support across all 64 matches and more than 100 hours of studio programming, with Netflix holding exclusive tournament rights in the US and Canada for the 2027 and 2031 editions.Adam Kelly, president of IMG, said: “The FIFA Women’s World Cup is one of the fastest-growing events in global sport, showcasing the best football and captivating new audiences worldwide.“As Netflix makes its live football debut, we're excited to help bring this tournament to new and existing fans in the US and Canada. Netflix’s scale, discoverability, and storytelling, combined with IMG's best-in-class production expertise, make this a huge moment for football and women’s sport.”Coverage will be available in English and Spanish in the United States and English and French in Canada, giving Netflix a multilingual production requirement across its two exclusive markets.IMG will also support coverage of the tournament draw on December 11, providing an initial live broadcast ahead of the competition running from June 24 to July 25 next year.Brazil will host the first Women’s World Cup staged in South America, with the tournament also marking Netflix’s first live football broadcasts in the US and Canada.The appointment adds an experienced sports production business to Netflix’s operation as the platform expands from individual live events into coverage of an entire international football tournament.IMG’s production portfolio includes Major League Soccer, the English Football League and Saudi Pro League, alongside CBS’s UEFA Champions League and Europa League coverage, giving it experience across domestic leagues and international competitions.The company also produces coverage across tennis, golf and combat sports, with clients and properties including the WTA Tour, UFC, Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and The Open Championship.Netflix has been broadening its live sports offering beyond the boxing and mixed martial arts events that formed part of its initial expansion, with major agreements also covering the NFL and WWE.Its football portfolio grew earlier this year through an agreement for exclusive coverage in Mexico of the 2027 and 2029 editions of the men’s Gold Cup and Nations League Finals.The Women’s World Cup arrangement brings a different production commitment, combining a month-long match schedule with extensive studio output and coverage tailored to several language audiences.The December draw will be the first stage of IMG’s work on the tournament, ahead of Netflix delivering the full competition to subscribers in the US and Canada next summer.