‘Netflix Cup’ Tees Up F1 Drivers, Golf Pros For Streamer’s 1st Live Sports Event

Netflix is venturing into live sports streaming with its inaugural event, the Netflix Cup, where athletes from two different sports come together in a friendly competition.

The Netflix Cup is set to be a unique pro-am golf tournament hosted in the vibrant city of Las Vegas at the Wynn Golf Club. And it’s not just any run-of-the-mill tournament. Netflix invites top Formula 1 drivers and golfers on the PGA Tour to battle it out live on November 14.

After the success of the Formula 1 series Drive to Survive, which has catapulted the sport’s success in the US and globally, and the new 2023 Full Swing show, which centers around golf, Netflix is taking this opportunity to mix the fast and furious world of one of the most extreme motorsports in the world with the precision-focused pastures of golf.

The match coincides with the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix, the third and newest race track to be added to the Formula 1 calendar. Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, attributed the addition to the fervent success the sport is now witnessing stateside. 

This innovative tournament format features four pairings, each consisting of one Formula 1 driver and one PGA Tour golfer. They will compete in an eight-hole match, with the top two teams advancing to a final hole showdown for the coveted Netflix Cup.

The roster of Formula 1 drivers includes well-known names such as Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, and Pierre Gasly. On the golf side, fans can expect to see the likes of Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, and Rickie Fowler showcasing their skills.

Norb Gambuzza, senior vice president of media and gaming at PGA TOUR, said, “Full Swing and Drive to Survive have helped introduce our sports and athletes to new and diverse audiences. We are thrilled to collaborate with Netflix, Formula 1, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix on this exciting concept.”

For Netflix, this event explores live sports streaming without the need to secure costly rights to top-tier leagues or focus on lesser-known sports.

In the broader context, the Netflix Cup aligns with Netflix’s strategy of cross-promotion and leveraging its intellectual properties. As the platform continues to expand into areas like video game adaptations of its content, the tournament represents another facet of its promotional efforts. In addition, the streamer is also branching into real-life retail with its incoming ‘Netflix House’.

So whether you enjoy watching some of the fastest cars battle it out or you prefer watching athletes out on the green, you can now do both simultaneously. Netflix Cup will air on November 14 live at 6 pm ET (3 pm PT).

[via Forbes and Digital Trends, images via Netflix]