The biggest sporting event on the planet is about to become the biggest bidding war in streaming. Netflix, Disney, and YouTube are all pursuing US broadcast rights for upcoming FIFA World Cup tournaments, a package that could be valued at around $2 billion as traditional broadcasters face an unprecedented challenge from deep-pocketed tech platforms.
The rights race heats up
Fox Sports currently holds the English-language US rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a deal valued at approximately $485 million. Telemundo locked down the Spanish-language rights through a no-bid extension. Those deals cover the tournament happening on US soil next summer, co-hosted with Canada and Mexico.
But the real action is what comes next. Bidding for the next major cycle, expected to center on the 2030 World Cup, is anticipated to begin within six to eight months. And the price tag is going up.
NBCUniversal has reportedly discussed a potential bid exceeding $1 billion with FIFA for full English- and Spanish-language rights to the 2030 tournament. That’s more than double what Fox paid for English-language rights alone for 2026.
