Netflix streams first-ever live sports event, with F1 vs PGA golf
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John Moulding
| 19 October 2023
1 Netflix streams first ever live sports event with F1 vs PGA golf
f you want to see what a live sports event looks like on Netflix, set your calendar for the Netflix Cup at 1800 ET on Tuesday, November 14, when F1 drivers and PGA TOUR golfers are paired together for a nine-hole golf tournament at the Wynn Golf Club, Wynn Las Vegas.

This is the first live sports event Netflix has hosted and features stars from two of its popular sports series, 'Formula 1: Drive to Survive' and 'Full Swing'. The Netflix Cup is being held during the week of the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix.

There are four pairs of players, each consisting of a Formula 1 driver and a PGA TOUR professional. They play an eight-hole match, then the two leading teams advance to the final hole. The players are:

Formula 1 drivers: Alex Albon (Williams Racing), Pierre Gasly (BWT Alpine F1 Team), Lando Norris (McLaren Racing), and Carlos Sainz (Scuderia Ferrari).

PGA TOUR golfers: Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas.

The event is a classic sports crossover and showcases two of Netflix’s sports programming breakouts. ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ is now in production on its sixth season, with the show credited with driving fandom for the sport in the U.S. ‘Full Swing’, one of 2023’s new series, is finishing filming on a second season and is also credited with a rise in PGA TOUR fan engagement.

The Netflix Cup is sanctioned by the PGA TOUR and Formula 1. It will be produced by Excel Sports Management, BZ Entertainment, and Full Day Productions (Connor Schell and David Chamberlin) – the company behind the ESPY Awards, the Oscars Red Carpet Show and the NFL Honors.

“We love to see how our sports series have brought increased fandom to sports leagues and competitions all over the world,” says Gabe Spitzer, Vice President, Nonfiction Sports, Netflix. “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.”

“The continued success of Drive to Survive has played a significant role in the growth of Formula 1 in the U.S., which has ultimately led to the addition of a third American race,” declares Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer, Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc. “It’s only fitting that we kick off our inaugural race weekend with a fun event that can be streamed by F1 and PGA TOUR fans around the globe.”