AMC Theaters to Screen 2026 FIFA World Cup Matches Live

Aron's vision for AMC has consistently leaned towards expanding beyond traditional film releases. He has openly communicated about the company's strategies, stating on social media site X that the deal is driven by the "intense interest in football" among potential Latino theater visitors. This initiative aligns with his long-expressed desire to broadcast live sporting events, with Aron mentioning as early as August 2019 an intention to show a "meaningful number of games on weekend afternoons" from major professional sports leagues. He graduated cum laude from Harvard College and earned an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School, and has been recognized for his leadership, including being named to Variety's "Variety 500" as one of the most influential people in entertainment.

This World Cup deal is a significant step within AMC's broader "event-cinema model." The company has successfully expanded its offerings to include live concerts and combat sports, demonstrating the viability of alternative content. Recent successes include the theatrical releases of concert films like Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" and Beyoncé's "Renaissance," both of which generated substantial revenue and proved the effectiveness of direct distribution models for special events. This ongoing strategy aims to maximize underutilized daytime screens, diversify revenue streams, and attract new and diverse audiences to theaters.

Telemundo, for its part, has been extensively preparing for its comprehensive coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On May 7, 2026, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises unveiled its upfront programming, with the World Cup headlining its slate. Luis Fernández, Chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, underscored the significance of the event, stating, "We are entering one of the most important moments in our company's history, anchored by the FIFA World Cup and a content portfolio that reflects the full scale and influence of the Latino audience. We are not just delivering content and capturing viewers — we are building fandoms, creating cultural moments and connecting audiences across every platform."

Further demonstrating its commitment, Telemundo detailed its expansive ancillary programming lineup and full commentary team assignments on May 19, 2026. The team includes renowned voices such as Andrés Cantor and Luis Omar Tapia, alongside fútbol legends like Andrés Guardado, Guti (José María Gutiérrez Hernández), José Pékerman, Antonio Valencia, Julio César Dely Valdés, Gabriel Batistuta, Jozy Altidore, Nuno Gomes, Maxi Rodríguez, Carlos Pavón, Jorge Valdano, Carlos Salcido, Alejandro Bedoya, and Iván Zamorano. The network had previously announced bolstering its coverage team with these experts on April 27, 2026, and May 15, 2026.

As of March 2, 2026, marking the 100-day countdown to the tournament, Telemundo unveiled its most expansive coverage plan ever, featuring 700 hours of programming and a fully live on-site presence at all 104 matches. A Telemundo executive highlighted the network's ambition, stating that the coverage "will be the most ambitious World Cup presentation ever in broadcast television, regardless of language. With over 700 hours of coverage, including over 90 games on our broadcast network and extensive sports content across our daily shows, FAST channel and app, we are delivering the most comprehensive Spanish-language World Cup experience ever produced in America." The network also released its official World Cup song, "Somos Más," performed by Carlos Vives, Emilia, Wisin, and Xavi, as part of its marketing campaign.

The strong market interest in Telemundo's World Cup coverage was evident by December 9, 2025, when the network was reportedly nearly 90% sold out of advertising inventory, securing the largest deals in Spanish-language history. Peter Lazarus, Executive Vice President, NBC Sports & Olympics, Advertising and Partnerships, commented on the success, noting, "The growth of soccer in the United States coupled with the domestic nature of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and rising demand for both live sports and Spanish language content has proved to be the winning formula for our company, as NBCUniversal sits in its strongest position ever this fall." This partnership between AMC and Telemundo underscores a growing trend in entertainment, where traditional venues are adapting to offer diverse live experiences, recognizing the immense cultural and commercial power of major global events like the FIFA World Cup and the significant influence of the Latino audience in the U.S.