Netflix and FIFA announced a groundbreaking streaming service deal on Friday to broadcast the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups.

FIFA said the deal was comprehensive and exclusive. Netflix will broadcast all matches of both tournaments live in English and Spanish, with no intention of sublicensing the rights to any cable or over-the-air television network.

It is the first time that World Cup games, men’s or women’s, will be broadcast in the United States on a digital streaming service rather than on linear television.

And it’s risky for FIFA. A source familiar with the deal told Yahoo Sports that, like all Netflix content, fans will need a subscription to watch games. The paywall could limit the reach and slow the commercial maturity of the Women’s World Cup, a three-decade-old domain that sports and media executives see as one with significant potential for further rapid and lucrative growth.

The Women’s World Cup is moving from television to streaming

For decades, the women’s and men’s World Cups – sold as a package by FIFA – were broadcast in English in the United States by ESPN and then Fox; and from Univision, then Telemundo in Spanish. Fox’s first rights deal began with the 2015 Women’s World Cup and was later controversially extended through the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

However, starting with the 2027 Women’s World Cup, FIFA split the rights to the women’s and men’s tournaments into two separate packages as part of a new women’s soccer strategy. A tender process for the 2027 and 2031 tournaments was officially launched in November.

A month later, the company entered into exclusive negotiations with Netflix and signed this unique contract that extends beyond the World Cup games.

“In addition to live coverage,” FIFA said in its press release, “Netflix will produce exclusive documentary series in the lead-up to both tournaments, highlighting the world’s best players, their journeys and the global growth of women’s football.”

Netflix is ​​getting into live sports

It’s unclear how much Netflix will pay for the rights. Spokespeople for FIFA and Netflix declined to comment on financial terms.

However, it is clear that sports organizations are increasingly willing to sell rights to non-traditional broadcasters; and that streaming giants like Apple and Amazon are increasingly interested in live sports.

Netflix has been relatively slow to venture into this space. It has extensive experience with sports documentaries — including those on the U.S. and Spanish women’s national teams — but relatively little with live games. However, a one-off boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul was recently broadcast; and NFL games will be streamed on Christmas Day. The Women’s World Cup could accelerate its expansion in the sport.

The deal begins with the 2027 tournament, scheduled to be held in Brazil.

The host of the 2031 tournament has not yet been determined. The United States is expected to make a bid, possibly jointly with Mexico. But they could face competition from China or several European nations.