Netflix Secures Rights to Controversial 6 Kings Slam Tennis Event

Netflix has officially acquired the streaming rights for the upcoming 6 Kings Slam, a high-profile yet controversial tennis exhibition set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 15-18, 2025. The move marks a significant expansion of Netflix’s live sports portfolio and brings a polarizing event, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), to a global streaming audience.

The Return of the 6 Kings Slam

The second edition of the 6 Kings Slam will feature a star-studded lineup, including reigning champion Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Jack Draper, and Taylor Fritz. Each participant is reportedly guaranteed over £1 million simply for their appearance, a financial incentive that has fueled much of the controversy surrounding the event. Sinner, for instance, earned $6 million for winning the inaugural edition against Alcaraz. The tournament’s format remains largely unannounced, but it will consist of a series of exhibition matches.

A Controversial Venture into Live Sports

The 6 Kings Slam has drawn considerable criticism within the tennis world for its extravagant payouts and perceived lack of genuine competitive structure. Past remarks, such as Andy Murray’s dismissal of the tournament with “nobody cares,” highlight the skepticism it faces from some quarters. Despite such criticisms, the event continues to attract elite talent and substantial investment, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in professional sports.

Netflix’s decision to stream the 6 Kings Slam signals a deepening commitment to live sports, a strategic shift for the streaming giant. The company, which previously focused on sports-adjacent programming like the successful “Drive to Survive” Formula 1 docu-series and “Break Point” for tennis, is increasingly venturing into direct live event coverage. This move follows earlier forays into boxing, golf, WWE, and the NFL, demonstrating a clear strategy to broaden its content offerings and attract new subscribers. Netflix has promised “unparalleled access” to the 6 Kings Slam, utilizing over 20 advanced cameras to capture the event from every angle.

Netflix’s Evolving Sports Strategy

While Netflix had previously shied away from expensive and fragmented live sports rights, citing high costs and short lifespans, falling subscriber numbers have prompted a reconsideration of this stance. The company now appears to be targeting specific, high-profile events or lower-profile sports that it believes its platform can elevate into global phenomena. This strategy aims to leverage its vast reach to potentially replicate the success seen with its non-live sports content. Previous reports indicated Netflix had considered bids for ATP and WTA Tour rights in various European markets, though some bids were later withdrawn.

The streaming service also experimented with live tennis in December 2023 with “The Netflix Slam,” a one-off exhibition match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, which garnered mixed reactions from viewers regarding commentary and the competitive nature of the event. This experience likely informed their approach to the 6 Kings Slam, suggesting a continued exploration of niche, yet high-interest, live sporting events.

The acquisition of the 6 Kings Slam rights underscores a broader trend of streaming platforms competing for live sports content, reshaping how audiences consume athletic competitions globally.