Thursday, April 16, 2026

Netflix’s Live Sports Debut Is Here. Will It Deliver?

  • The Netflix Cup airs Tuesday night featuring PGA Tour and Formula 1 stars.
  • Netflix could be interested in broadcasting even more live sports.
Netflix

Netflix finally enters the live sports arena on Tuesday — a pivotal moment for the streaming giant, previously one of the more famous holdouts in the space. 

PGA Tour players Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Max Homa, and Collin Morikawa will be paired with Formula 1 drivers Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, and Pierre Gasly to compete for the Netflix Cup, which begins at 6 p.m. ET live from Las Vegas’ Wynn Golf Club.

Netflix’s app says the event, which will comprise eight holes of match play, will run two-and-a-half hours. The most pressing challenge for Netflix in its live sports debut is making sure the stream goes off without a hitch — something it failed to do earlier this year when it attempted to broadcast a live reunion for one of its dating shows.

Beyond basic functionality, the quality of Netflix’s stream will be of interest as well as the production of the golf event itself.

If the event is a success, Netflix looks ready to dive in even deeper with live sports — the company is reportedly interested in streaming a boxing match involving Jake Paul.

Viewership numbers for the Netflix Cup likely won’t be released, but a similar celebrity golf special earlier this year, “The Match,” drew an average of 782,000 viewers across TNT and two other channels. In that event, Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce took on Golden State Warriors’ Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Netflix is reportedly charging potential advertisers $2 million for Tuesday night’s event.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

LIV Golf’s Future: Three Big Questions If Saudi Funding Dries Up

LIV players could be seeking a return to the PGA Tour.
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) and guard Darius Garland (10) in the second half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
exclusive

NBA Is in Talks With Kalshi and Polymarket

Discussions ramped up after the CFTC began engaging with leagues, sources say.

New Jersey Gov. Blames FIFA For Possible $100 World Cup Train

FIFA said it’s “quite surprised” by New Jersey’s attack.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) in the second half during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images
exclusive

NFL, YouTube in Advanced Talks for 5-Game Package

The deal has yet to be finalized.

Featured Today

blake griffin

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
LIV Golf livestream

LIV Golf Live Streams Crash Minutes After Mexico Event Tees Off

The league’s Mexico City event got off to a rough start. The livestreams on YouTube and Fox One crashed just minutes after players teed off.
The Miz Stephen A. Smith WWE
April 16, 2026

ESPN Going All Out for WWE WrestleMania in Las Vegas

There has been plenty of crossover between ESPN and WWE this week.
Apr 25, 2024; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Kevin Kisner reacts to his shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2026

NBC’s Kevin Kisner Apologizes for Torching CBS Masters Coverage

Kisner admitted he “crossed the line” with his now-viral rant.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Mar 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
April 15, 2026

NBA Viewership Up 16% in Year 1 of New Media Deal

The league faced heavy scrutiny last year for its declining ratings.
Feb 7, 2022; Westlake Village, CA, USA; ESPN reporter Dianna Russini at Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Opening Night at Oaks Christian High School. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
April 15, 2026

What’s Next for Dianna Russini? Sports Media Insiders Debate Her Future

Russini has made it clear she plans to continue her career.
LaChina Robinson Sarah Kustok
exclusive
April 15, 2026

LaChina Robinson, Sarah Kustok Expected to Join WNBA on NBC

NBC’s WNBA coverage continues to take shape.
April 14, 2026

Amazon Broadcast Crashes in Final Minute of Its Biggest NBA Game Yet

Viewers missed 22 critical seconds of the Hornets-Heat game.