September 23, 2025, 8:43 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Streaming services are increasingly focusing on a sector that captivates the masses: live sports. Movies and series are no longer enough in the competition–those who want to stand out today are turning to real-time sports broadcasts. Netflix is also following this path more consistently.
Entry with NFL, Expansion with Wrestling
In December 2024, Netflix entered the sports market with the live broadcast of two NFL games. The response was tremendous, according to internal company data. Since then, the streaming provider has pursued a clearly recognizable sports strategy: In the U.S., “WWE Monday Night Raw” now airs exclusively on the platform weekly–though not yet in Germany.
Additionally, according to research, Netflix has secured the broadcasting rights for the next two Women’s World Cup tournaments. Such rights allow the airing of sports events in specific markets–a clear step toward becoming a global sports provider.
Netflix Aims to Broadcast Champions League Starting in 2027
Streaming Providers Showing the Champions League Starting in 2027
Premier League as the Next Target?
According to Adam Kelly, president of sports rights marketer IMG, Netflix could soon make an even bigger move: entering the broadcasts of the British Premier League. Speaking to “Variety,” Kelly said, “I firmly believe that Netflix is targeting the British Premier League.” The English league is considered the most popular soccer league in the world, and interest from TV networks and streaming services worldwide is correspondingly high.
Kelly further explained, “Netflix is the largest media company in the world.” The previous sports streams have “worked gigantically.” He would be “surprised if Netflix doesn’t secure one of the most important and promising brands in sports.” If Netflix acquires the rights in multiple countries, it would be an “incredibly powerful” move, according to Kelly.
Also interesting: Apple Sports now available in Germany
In the U.S., the rights to the Premier League are held by NBC until at least 2028. Therefore, Netflix can only become active in its home market after that. However, a model like Amazon Prime Video’s is possible: From 2018 to 2023, the U.S. company showed 20 Premier League games per season in the UK–whether Netflix will take a similar path remains open.
Netflix Was a Sports Holdout for Years–and Is Now Breaking Records
For a long time, Netflix stayed away from live sports. Even offers for the Bundesliga were previously rejected. But at the end of 2024, the change in course came–and it was immediately rewarded with viewer records, according to company data. YouTube also recorded enormous reach during this period for live sports broadcasts.
Adam Kelly therefore expects exponential growth: The viewer numbers would not only continuously increase but “multiply very quickly.”