Netflix has been killing it already this year with a collection of celebrated sports shows that take you behind-the-scenes to a degree that few other projects have ever been able to. Much of that stems from the success of Formula 1: Drive to Survive, which has given birth to an entire generation of American F1 fans as the docuseries releases its fifth season.
Break Point, following up-and-coming tennis players at all four Grand Slams and on the ATP and WTA tours, was a five-episode series from the team behind Drive to Survive that was widely acclaimed after its January release. Full Swing, an eight-episode documentary following golfers week in and week out on the PGA TOUR, was then released on Feb. 15 and has been a revelation.
For obvious reasons, Netflix is eager to apply the exclusive, daily behind-the-scenes window to the world of professional soccer, and we now know of two shows that are slated for release.
In the summer of 2023, there'll be an untitled series that promises to be the definitive account of the 2022 World Cup. The docuseries is being produced in partnership with FIFA+ and boasts privileged, never-before-seen footage concerning all 32 teams that competed in Qatar. Fulwell 73 — the production company behind I Am Bolt and Bros: After the Screaming Stops — is in charge of delivering the spectacle.
A still image from Netflix's upcoming World Cup docuseries. Photo: Netflix
On Tuesday, Netflix announced another show that'll closely follow the daily activities of some of the world's biggest teams and best players: LaLiga is getting the Drive to Survive treatment with Netflix embedding itself among the division's 20 clubs throughout the 2023-24 season.
"Similar to Netflix's growing slate of sports programming, the series will take an inside look at everything that happens in the professional football league behind the scenes and the more personal stories of one of the most followed leagues in the world," said the press release.
With the current season ending on June 4 and the 2023-24 campaign not starting until August, the show is in pre-production with a tentative release date at the end of 2024.
This could certainly be a game-changer for LaLiga in America since the league has (largely because of the time it wasted on beIN SPORTS) been hugely dwarfed by the English Premier League and the great product it enjoys on NBC Sports.
"For LaLiga to be the star of Netflix's first sports series in Spain is a unique opportunity to take our football beyond the fans, to share with the world the excitement of the sport we love, and the chance for all our fans to see LaLiga from a totally different angle," said LaLiga Executive Director Óscar Mayo.
Although Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético traditionally dominate, clubs like Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Valencia, Sevilla and Real Betis have captivating histories and passionate support. Americans will also realize that it's much better to prioritize a trip to Andalusia or the Basque Country rather than Greater Manchester or the Midlands.
