Netflix is disrupting Mexico’s football rights market, forcing a change from traditional broadcasters to streaming platforms.
Concacaf has announced a four-year deal making Netflix the home of the Concacaf Nations League Finals and the Gold Cup in Mexico from 2027.
The agreement, announced on 14 April, covers the 2027 and 2029 editions of both competitions and provides Netflix with exclusive rights within Mexico to two of Concacaf’s men’s national team tournaments.
“We know that in Mexico, the passion for football is truly unique, and this agreement allows us to bring these competitions closer to millions of fans through a new platform,” said Philippe Moggio, Concacaf General Secretary.
“It also reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality access to tournaments that mean so much to our region.”
The Nations League Finals, featuring the four teams that progress from the quarterfinal stage, will take place in March 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The Gold Cup, which includes 16 national teams, will be held in the summer of the same year and will crown the region’s continental champion.
“At Netflix, we are increasingly investing in live events that connect with our audience’s greatest passions, and football is, without a doubt, the passion that unites us as Mexicans,” said Carolina Leconte, Vice President of Content for Mexico and Latin America Acquisitions at Netflix.
Netflix’s continued push into live sport
Netflix first tested the live sports space in 2023 with The Netflix Cup, a live golf event pairing Formula 1 drivers with PGA Tour players. Since then, it has edged further into premium rights, signing deals with organisations including WWE, Zuffa Boxing and the NFL.
The Concacaf agreement is another step in that strategy and represents Netflix’s first move into live international football rights.
Earlier this year, the company also partnered with The Rest Is Football podcast, fronted by Gary Lineker, to produce daily content during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The partnership could be used to promote the Concacaf, and it may also suggest there’s space for a Mexican football podcast during these tournaments.
“Concacaf national team matches bring together millions of fans in Mexico like few other events can,” Leconte added.
“We are thrilled that, over the coming years, fans in Mexico will be able to experience the Concacaf Nations League Finals and the Concacaf Gold Cup exclusively on Netflix.”
Mexico moves away from free-to-air
The agreement is also significant for the Mexican broadcast market, where Concacaf’s international tournaments have historically been shown on free-to-air television.
Rights for competitions such as the Gold Cup have been held by major broadcasters including Televisa and TV Azteca, which were understood to be the home of national team football coverage.
Netflix’s acquisition proves this model could be over, with a streaming platform becoming the exclusive home of the tournament in Mexico for the first time.
While Concacaf has said the deal is a way to bring competitions closer to fans through digital platforms, similar changes in other markets have not always been straightforward.
In the UK, domestic competitions such as the FA Cup have moved towards hybrid broadcast models, while in Spain, La Liga has faced regulatory pressure to ensure free-to-air broadcasters remain part of rights tenders.
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