The ‘Netflix Cup’ Golf Tournament Marks The First Big Swing At Live Sports For The Streaming Giant

By Alex Vena
Published Oct. 18, 2023, 12:14 p.m. ET

More On:

Sports

Netflix is entering the world of live sports. The streamer has decided to take a swing at livestream sports content by introducing the Netflix Cup, a golf tournament in which athletes from two of Netflix’s existing sports programs — Formula 1: Drive To Survive and Full Swing — will face off.

The tournament will take place at Wynn Golf Club at Wynn Las Vegas, which, per Netflix’s press release, is “the only 18-hole, championship golf course on the Las Vegas Strip.” Tee time is slated for a 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT livestream on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The timing couldn’t be more of a hole-in-one, as the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix begins the following Sunday, Nov. 19.

Described as “a clash of wheels and irons,” the F1 drivers currently on the roster include Alex Albon (Williams Racing), Pierre Gasly (BWT Alpine F1 Team), Lando Norris (McLaren Racing), and Carlos Sainz (Scuderia Ferrari), while the PGA athletes listed are Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas.

Gabe Spitzer, Vice President, Nonfiction Sports, Netflix said, “We love to see how our sports series have brought increased fandom to sports leagues and competitions all over the world. The Netflix Cup will take that energy to the next level with global stars from two popular hits competing in our first-ever live sports event.”

'Netflix Cup'
Photo: Netflix

The Netflix Cup is “sanctioned by the PGA TOUR and Formula 1,” and is produced by Excel Sports Management, BZ Entertainment, and Full Day Productions, which is the company responsible for the ESPY Awards, the Oscars Red Carpet Show and the NFL Honors.

Netflix is following in the footsteps of other streaming providers, such as Max, which launched its sports streaming tier earlier this month. According to Variety, the concept of the Netflix Cup may seem familiar in comparison to The Match, a series of celebrity golf tournaments birthed by Warner Bros. Discovery, the media giant behind Max.

Prime Video has also made their mark on live sports with Thursday Night Football, which they began streaming at the onset of this year’s NFL season.

The Netflix Cup will be livestreamed on Nov. 14. Watch the official teaser above.