Netflix is making a bold play in the world of live sports, significantly expanding its relationship with the NFL. While the streaming giant may never secure a full-season rights package, it's carving out a powerful niche as a major player in the league's evolving media landscape.
During its upfront presentation to advertisers in New York this Wednesday, Netflix unveiled an expanded five-game rights agreement that runs through the 2029 season. Here's what's on the slate:
A Global Kickoff: Netflix will broadcast the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Australia, featuring the San Francisco 49ers vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. This global broadcast aligns perfectly with the league's push to expand its international fanbase.
A New Holiday Tradition: The streaming service will debut a brand-new Thanksgiving Eve game, giving fans an extra helping of football before the big feast. The Green Bay Packers will take on the Rams in what promises to be a prime-time spectacle.
High-Stakes Finale: A Week 18 regular-season game with major playoff implications will also air on Netflix, ensuring viewers get a taste of the drama that defines the NFL's final stretch.
Super Bowl Week Spotlight: Netflix will also carry the NFL Honors awards show, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the league's biggest stars during Super Bowl week.
For the 2026 season, the expanded package includes a Week 1 game, a Thanksgiving Eve matchup, one Christmas Day game, a Week 18 finale, and the NFL Honors. Future years will follow a similar structure, giving Netflix a consistent, high-profile presence on the NFL calendar.
This move fits perfectly with Netflix's long-standing strategy: cherry-picking major live events rather than committing to a full season of games. The games will stream globally, directly supporting the NFL's goal of reaching new audiences around the world. Interestingly, two of the games in Netflix's expanded inventory came from a reallocation of the league's equity deal with ESPN.
The expansion isn't entirely unexpected—Netflix hinted at its growing interest in the NFL during its most recent quarterly earnings report. Still, the scale of this deal is significant and has already caught the attention of politicians and regulators in Washington. In response, legacy networks like CBS, Fox, and NBC have secured additional broadcast windows, underscoring how Netflix's entry is reshaping the entire sports media landscape.
For fans, this means more ways to catch the action, whether you're at home, on the go, or gearing up for a new holiday tradition. As Netflix continues to deepen its ties to the NFL, it's clear that the way we watch football is changing—and for the better.