Netflix honestly feels unstoppable when it comes to sports documentaries right now. Over the last few years, the platform has turned behind-the-scenes sports storytelling into one of its biggest strengths, and 2026 already looks stacked with major athlete profiles, World Cup projects, and returning documentary franchises.
Personally, what I like most about this year’s lineup is the variety. One documentary focuses on Formula 1 rivalries, while another explores amateur football culture in Brazil or the emotional farewell of Rafael Nadal. It never feels repetitive.
Here’s every major sports documentary Netflix has released or announced for 2026 so far.
February 1
Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing (Season 1)
Netflix kicked off its sports-doc year with a behind-the-scenes series following elite ice-dancing pairs competing at the Olympic level. This feels more personal and emotionally driven than the average sports series.
February 6
The Queen of Chess
This documentary follows one of the world’s top female chess players and explores the pressure, strategy, and competitiveness surrounding professional chess.
February 27
Formula 1: Drive to Survive (Season 8)
Honestly, this remains Netflix’s biggest sports-documentary franchise. Season 8 continues diving into team rivalries, paddock politics, and the chaos behind the Formula 1 season.
April 16
Ronaldinho: The One and Only
Netflix released a limited series focused on Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho, covering his rise, career highs, controversies, and lasting influence on football culture.
April 17
Full Swing (Season 4)
The golf documentary series returned with more PGA Tour storylines, player drama, and behind-the-scenes tournament coverage.
April 20
Beyond the Game: Samurai 2026 World Baseball Classic
This baseball documentary follows Japan’s national team and their journey through the World Baseball Classic.
April 22
Hulk Hogan: Real American
Netflix explored the complicated life and legacy of WWE legend Hulk Hogan in this limited documentary series.
May 6
Countdown: Rousey vs. Carano
This fight-focused documentary revisits the rivalry and build-up surrounding Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.
May 12
Untold UK: Jamie Vardy
Personally, I think Jamie Vardy’s career story is perfect for a sports documentary. The film follows his rise from lower-league football to Premier League champion and England international.
May 13
The Bus: A French Football Mutiny
This documentary revisits one of football’s most infamous national-team scandals involving France.
May 19
Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul
Netflix retells Liverpool’s legendary 2005 Champions League comeback in Istanbul, which honestly still feels unreal even years later.
May 21
JAMES.
This feature-length documentary follows Colombian football star James Rodríguez, covering his breakout World Cup fame and career across clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Porto, Everton, and São Paulo.
May 26
Untold UK: Vinnie Jones
The latest Untold UK documentary explores the chaotic football career of Vinnie Jones before his transition into Hollywood acting.
May 29
Rafa
This limited series focuses on Rafael Nadal’s farewell era and emotional retirement from professional tennis after an incredible 21-year career.
Honestly, this could end up being one of Netflix’s biggest sports documentaries of the year because Nadal’s legacy goes far beyond tennis fans.
June 7
USA 94: Brazil’s Return to Glory
Netflix continues its World Cup-focused content with a documentary about Brazil’s 1994 World Cup victory.
The film reportedly uses unseen footage and interviews with players like Romário, Bebeto, and Dunga.
June 8
The Root of the Game
This Brazil-set limited series follows São Paulo’s massive amateur football tournament and the players hoping football can completely change their lives.
Personally, this sounds like one of the most emotionally grounded sports docs Netflix is releasing in 2026.
June 9
Norway: The Dark Horse
This World Cup-focused docuseries follows Norway’s national football team and stars like Erling Haaland as they chase international success.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Netflix clearly seems focused on football storytelling this year.
June 16
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Season 3)
The returning series continues documenting the demanding schedules, performances, training, and pressures surrounding the NFL’s most famous cheerleading squad.
TBD 2026
At Home with the Furys (Season 3)
Netflix is expected to continue Tyson Fury’s reality-style boxing series, potentially focusing on a comeback fight and training camp.
TBD 2026
Untitled Mike Tyson Docuseries
One of Netflix’s biggest upcoming sports projects is a long-form Mike Tyson documentary exploring his championship reign, controversies, and later-life reinvention.
Honestly, I would not be surprised if this becomes one of the platform’s biggest documentary releases whenever it finally premieres.
Overall, 2026 already looks like a massive year for Netflix sports documentaries. Football clearly dominates the lineup because of the World Cup, but there is still plenty of variety with Formula 1, golf, wrestling, tennis, baseball, boxing, chess, and Olympic sports all represented.
And knowing Netflix, this list will probably keep growing throughout the year as more sports projects get announced.
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