Formula 1, PGA Tour stars come together for "The Netflix Cup" live golf tournament
Netflix is bringing together two of its most popular docudrama series for the platform's first live sports event, "The Netflix Cup," in Las Vegas.
Two worlds collide in Netflix's first LIVE sports event -- the Netflix Cup! It's Formula 1: Drive to Survive vs. Full Swing -- streaming live from the Wynn Las Vegas on November 14 at 3PM PT/6PM ET! pic.twitter.com/CbTg3k7qIL
— Netflix (@netflix) October 17, 2023
On Nov. 14, Formula 1 drivers Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, and Carlos Sainz will compete with PGA Tour golfers Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas in a golf tournament from Las Vegas.
What is the format of The Netflix Cup
"The Netflix Cup" will pair one F1 driver with a golfer to compete in a tournament at the Wynn Golf Club at the Wynn Las Vegas. The live event is part of the lead-up to the Las Vegas Grand Prix Nov. 18, the first Formula 1 race in the city in 40 years.
The four teams will compete in an eight-hole match at the 18-hole Wynn Golf Club course. The top two teams advance to a final hole to decide the winner. It's a similar concept to "The Match" series pairing NFL and PGA Tour stars.
“We love to see how our sports series have brought increased fandom to sports leagues and competitions all over the world,” Gabe Spitzer, Netflix vice president of nonfiction sports, said in a statement. “'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.”
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From streamer to golf course
Albon, Gasly, Norris, and Sainz are all featured in the Formula 1 docudrama "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" on Netflix. Five seasons of the show is widely credited with increasing Formula 1's popularity in the U.S.
“The continued success of Drive to Survive has played a significant role in the growth of Formula 1 in the US, which has ultimately led to the addition of a third American race,” Emily Prazer, Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc. chief commercial officer, said in a statement. “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.”
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Fowler, Homa, Morikawa, and Thomas are all featured in the "Full Swing" series that's finishing filming a second season.
This is the second live event Netflix is attempting this year. The first, the "Love is Blind" reunion episode in April, suffered technical difficulties and failed to load for viewers at home.
"The Netflix Cup" will air on the streaming platform at 6:00 p.m., ET, on Nov. 14.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: F1, PGA Tour stars set for Netflix golf tournament ahead of Grand Prix