Netflix is officially in the NFL game—and they're playing it their way. After dipping their toes into live football with two games in 2024 and 2025, the streaming giant is set to expand to five games in 2026. But don't expect a full-season takeover anytime soon.

In a recent appearance on Fox Business, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos made the company's stance crystal clear. "We're leaning into the eventized event," he said. "We're not bidding on whole seasons of sports, including the NFL." It's a strategic pivot that keeps Netflix in the sports conversation without committing to the marathon grind of a weekly broadcast schedule.

According to John Ourand of Puck, the NFL actually pitched Netflix on a Sunday morning package—likely featuring international games perfect for a global audience. Netflix passed. That decision narrows the field of potential full-season bidders to the usual heavy hitters: CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC/ESPN, and Prime Video. It's a key factor as the league's current partners weigh whether to renegotiate early or wait until 2029 (2030 for ABC/ESPN) to strike new deals.

Still, the game isn't over. Apple and YouTube remain wild cards capable of jumping in for a full package, and Prime Video could easily double its weekly load. For now, the NFL and its partners are locked in a high-stakes chess match—with Fox already trying to tilt the board through political channels. Sports fans, grab your popcorn: the real game is just getting started.