Netflix Slam – Netflix will stream its next live sports event, The Netflix Slam, headlined by 22-time Grand Slam men’s singles title champion Rafael Nadal facing off against World No. 2 and fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in a special one-night tennis exhibition match. The event, hosted by MGM Resorts International, is scheduled for Sunday, March 3, 2024 at noon PST / 21:00 CET inside Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
The match is being branded as The Netflix Slam, and will be held on March 3, 2024 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
The Netflix Slam is the second in-house live sporting event for Netflix following The Netflix Cup last month. The Netflix Cup was a live golf exhibition match, with PGA tour pros features in the Netflix docuseries Full Swing pairing up with Formula 1 drivers featured in Drive to Survive.
Netflix is the premier home for great sports stories with hits like Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Break Point, Full Swing, Untold, Quarterback, Tour de France: Unchained, Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team, upcoming series following athletes in track and field, rugby and NASCAR as well as last month’s The Netflix Cup.
Netflix Slam – Another step towards becoming live sports giant
The Netflix Slam is another live event featuring a popular country club sport (this time tennis) and turning it into a made-for-streaming event. While Netflix does have a tennis docuseries called Break Point, neither Nadal nor Alcaraz were featured in the first season. It is not clear if any players featured in the series will also take part in the Netflix Slam.
Maybe Netflix is simply trying to grow its market in Spain. Can you imagine how big the ratings will be to watch Alcaraz and Nadal? This is especially true as Nadal will still be working his way back from an injury that cost him nearly all of his 2023 season.
“I’m very excited for my first visit to Las Vegas, one of the most iconic and entertaining cities in the world,” said Nadal. “I’m also very excited to be playing with my fellow countryman Carlos Alcaraz. I am sure it will be a fantastic night of tennis.”
“I’m honored and so happy to be sharing the court with Rafa in Las Vegas,” said Alcaraz, U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion. “He’s an all-time great, of course, and his records and achievements speak for themselves. Rafa also is one of the nicest guys on Tour and I look forward to our match on March 3.”
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal have played each other three times on the ATP tour with Nadal winning twice. Alcaraz won the last matchup, but the two have not played since 2022. There is a decent chance that The Netflix Slam might also be the first time the players meet since 2022.
We do not know in what form Nadal will be immediately into his return. His former coach, and uncle, Toni Nadal has stressed that while Nadal is returning, the key is not to win, but simply to be in good shape, play hard, try hard, and not get hurt again. That doesn’t sound like the words one would speak about a player you might expect to win a few more Grand Slams.
“I’m thrilled that with The Netflix Slam, we can give our global audience an opportunity to watch two tennis greats battle each other in a one-of-a-kind live event,” said Gabe Spitzer, Vice President, Nonfiction Sports, Netflix. “A legend like Rafa and a champion like Carlos together on the court, along with tons of other action, promises to be a live show fans won’t want to miss.”
“We anticipate The Netflix Slam at Mandalay Bay will be one of the most entertaining events of the year,” said Lance Evans, Senior Vice President of Sports and Sponsorship, MGM Resorts International. “Tennis fans worldwide will be treated to an unforgettable experience as two of the sport’s elite champions compete in the sports capital of the world.”
Tickets starting at $88, not including applicable service charges or fees, go on sale to the public Friday, December 15 at 10 a.m. PST via www.axs.com. All Club and Seat License members will receive access to a pre-sale Tuesday, December 12 at 10 a.m. PST through Wednesday, December 13 at 5 p.m. PST. Members of MGM Rewards, AXS and USTA will receive pre-sale benefits Thursday, December 14 from 10 a.m. PST to 10 p.m. PST.
The Netflix Slam will be produced by Full Day Productions (Connor Schell and David Chamberlin), the company behind The Netflix Cup, ESPY Awards, the Oscars Red Carpet Show and the NFL Honors.