Netflix Shares How FIFA 2026 World Cup Drove Record Engagement

Latest data released by Netflix shows that its collection of football series, documentaries, talk shows, and mobile games experienced massive viewership spikes during the FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup.

Throughout the tournament window, subscribers flocked to football content across the Netflix catalogue. In May alone, weekly views for Netflix’s football titles jumped by more than 250% compared to average weekly views logged between January and April.

Regional interest drove sharp spikes for specific titles. The documentary Norway: The Dark Horse surged to the number one spot in Norway during its first week on the service as the national team made its run. The show managed to hold a position in Norway’s Top 10 list for the entire duration of the World Cup.

Individual player moments also triggered immediate viewing spikes. Following a halftime appearance by Brazilian legend Ronaldinho during the tournament, local views for Ronaldinho: The One and Only jumped 34% in Brazil within hours. Other featured international titles including Brazil ’70: The Third Star, México 86, and Colombia’s James saw heightened global interest.

Beyond non-scripted films, original studio programming captured daily viewers. The Rest Is Football, a daily analysis show featuring hosts Gary Lineker, Micah Richards, and Alan Shearer, became a regular fixture for UK fans, landing on the country’s weekly Top 10 list. Netflix has already renewed the series for the upcoming 2026–27 Premier League season.

The World Cup momentum extended directly into Netflix’s gaming offerings. The official FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition mobile game became the number one most-played title on Netflix Games throughout the tournament period. Even after the championship match concluded, player engagement remained high, holding at more than 40% above pre-tournament baselines.

These metrics arrive as Netflix prepares for its next major sports broadcasting step. The company holds exclusive broadcast rights for the FIFA 2027 Women’s World Cup across the US and Canada, set to run from June 24 to July 25, 2027.