For the first time ever, fans around the world can watch live Cayman Islands football matches without leaving their homes — thanks to a quiet but groundbreaking partnership between Content Studio, a locally owned media production company, and FIFA+. The announcement, made public on April 14, 2025, marks a turning point for football in the Cayman Islands, where matches have long been overlooked by international audiences. Two games have already been streamed: 345 FC’s 3-1 win over Academy on February 3, 2025, and Tigers’ 2-0 triumph against Future on February 9, 2025. Both were broadcast live on FIFA+, the free global streaming platform launched by FIFA in 2022 to bring grassroots football into the digital spotlight.
From Local Pitch to Global Screen
Kevin Morales, owner and operations director of Content Studio, didn’t set out to change international football broadcasting. "It’s a dream come true," he said, sitting in the company’s modest studio in George Town. "We’ve been filming local games for years — mostly for YouTube, sometimes for TV. But to be chosen by FIFA? That’s next level."
What made Content Studio stand out wasn’t fancy equipment — it was consistency. While other production crews vanished after big tournaments, Morales’ team showed up every Saturday, rain or shine, filming youth leagues, women’s matches, and amateur finals. They edited footage on laptops, uploaded highlights to social media, and built a local following. When FIFA began scouting local partners in 2024, Content Studio was one of the few with a three-year archive of high-quality, regularly updated content.
FIFA+’s Quiet Revolution
By the end of 2022, FIFA+ had already streamed the equivalent of 40,000 live matches from 100 member associations — including 11,000 women’s games. That’s more than any other sports federation in history. But until now, the Caribbean has been underrepresented. The Cayman Islands, with a population under 70,000, had never had a match streamed on the platform before.
Now, fans in Toronto, London, and Sydney can watch CIFA matches in real time. And it’s not just about exposure — it’s about legitimacy. "When a kid in George Town sees his local team on FIFA+, he doesn’t just think, ‘That’s cool,’” said CIFA Communications Officer Lisa Cameron. "He thinks, ‘I could be there.’"
The Bigger Picture: DAZN and the 2026 Redesign
But here’s the twist: Content Studio’s role may soon evolve. In summer 2025, FIFA announced a landmark deal with DAZN to relaunch FIFA+ as the "Global Home of Football," set to debut in early 2026. The new platform will operate on a freemium model — free access to live games from over 100 leagues, with premium content like behind-the-scenes documentaries and expert analysis available for a fee.
The transition will be massive. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., with all 63 matches streaming live and free on DAZN, is the first test run. By the time the 2026 World Cup rolls around, FIFA+ will be a 24/7 digital ecosystem — complete with multilingual news bulletins, AI-powered highlights, and interactive fan zones.
For Content Studio, this means either becoming a regional hub for Caribbean content under the new system — or being absorbed into a much larger machine. "We’re not worried," Morales said. "We know our value. We’ve built relationships with coaches, players, parents. That’s not something DAZN can buy with a contract."
What This Means for Cayman Islands Football
The impact is already visible. Youth registration numbers rose 18% in the first quarter of 2025, according to CIFA. Local sponsors are stepping in — First Caribbean International Bank recently pledged $50,000 to upgrade streaming gear for future matches. And for the first time, players are being scouted by clubs in Jamaica, Trinidad, and even England.
"Before, if you were good, you had to leave to get noticed," said 16-year-old midfielder Jamal Edwards, who scored the winning goal against Future. "Now? My uncle in Manchester saw me play on his phone. He sent me a message: ‘You’re playing in the Premier League one day.’"
What’s Next?
Upcoming matches scheduled for broadcast include the CIFA Premier League semifinals on May 1, 2025, and the National Cup Final on December 6, 2025. Fans are encouraged to follow both FIFA+ and the Cayman Islands Football Association’s social media for weekly streaming schedules.
As FIFA+ prepares for its global relaunch, Content Studio is becoming a case study in how small, determined local teams can punch above their weight — and how global platforms are learning that the soul of football isn’t in the stadiums of Europe, but in the muddy pitches of places like the Cayman Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch Cayman Islands football matches live?
All live matches streamed by Content Studio are available for free on the FIFA+ platform via web browser or mobile app. You can also find weekly schedules on the Cayman Islands Football Association’s official Facebook and Instagram pages. Matches typically air on Saturday afternoons Eastern Time.
Why is this partnership significant for small football nations?
For decades, football in small nations like the Cayman Islands was invisible to global audiences. By partnering with FIFA+, local teams gain legitimacy, attract sponsors, and inspire youth participation. The platform’s 40,000+ annual streams show that global fans crave authentic, grassroots content — not just elite leagues. This is a blueprint for other island nations and developing football communities.
Will Content Studio still be involved after the DAZN relaunch in 2026?
FIFA has not confirmed final details, but sources indicate local production partners like Content Studio will be integrated as regional content hubs. Their existing relationships with clubs and players give them a unique edge over centralized production teams. Morales says they’re already training local interns to handle camera work and commentary — preparing for a larger role in the new ecosystem.
How does FIFA+ differ from traditional sports networks?
Unlike pay-TV networks, FIFA+ is free to use and focuses on underrepresented leagues — from the Cayman Islands to Fiji. It doesn’t just stream matches; it tells stories. Behind-the-scenes footage, player interviews, and historical archives make it feel like a community channel. By 2026, it will offer over 100 leagues, plus AI-generated highlights and multilingual news — all without ads or subscriptions for basic access.
What’s the financial impact on local clubs?
Sponsorship interest has surged. First Caribbean International Bank committed $50,000 to upgrade streaming equipment after seeing match viewership spike by 300% on social media. Clubs now receive a share of digital ad revenue generated from FIFA+ streams. While exact figures aren’t public, CIFA estimates clubs could earn up to $15,000 annually from streaming rights — enough to fund new jerseys, coaching clinics, and youth academies.
Is this just a temporary arrangement, or is it here to stay?
This isn’t a pilot — it’s a strategic shift. FIFA has committed to working with at least 50 local production partners globally by 2026. The Cayman Islands is one of the first in the Caribbean to be selected. With the platform’s global relaunch, local partnerships aren’t being phased out — they’re being scaled. Content Studio’s success proves that even small markets can become vital nodes in a global football network.
Carolette Wright
November 5, 2025 AT 18:00OMG I just watched the Tigers game and cried. My little cousin in Georgia is now obsessed with Cayman football. This is real magic.
Anita Aikhionbare
November 6, 2025 AT 11:27Finally. Africa and the Caribbean are showing the world what real football looks like - not some rich Europeans hoarding the spotlight. This is decolonizing the game.
Mark Burns
November 6, 2025 AT 21:25So… someone actually filmed a game in the Caymans and it didn’t get deleted by YouTube’s copyright bots? I’m shocked. I thought we’d all be watching goat videos forever.
jen barratt
November 7, 2025 AT 00:48It’s funny how the soul of football was never in the stadiums with 80k fans, but in the muddy fields where kids play with no nets, no sponsors, and no cameras - until someone finally decided to turn on the lens. This isn’t about tech. It’s about seeing people who’ve been invisible for too long.
Evelyn Djuwidja
November 7, 2025 AT 03:57This is a dangerous precedent. FIFA+ is diluting the integrity of professional football by elevating amateur matches to the same tier as top-tier leagues. Where does it end? Are we going to stream high school scrimmages next?
Alex Braha Stoll
November 7, 2025 AT 14:05Meanwhile in Europe, some guy got fined for yelling at a ref on TikTok. Meanwhile, a guy in the Caymans filmed a match with a GoPro and changed the game. Who’s the real visionary?
Rick Morrison
November 7, 2025 AT 20:57What’s the long-term sustainability model here? If FIFA+ transitions to a freemium structure in 2026, will local producers like Content Studio retain ownership of their archives? Or will their content become part of a corporate-owned library with no revenue share?
Clare Apps
November 9, 2025 AT 06:54so… they just… filmed it? and now its on the internet? wow. i love this.
jessica doorley
November 9, 2025 AT 10:27This initiative exemplifies the democratization of sports media through grassroots content creation. The strategic alignment between localized production entities and global digital platforms represents a paradigm shift in sports accessibility, equity, and cultural representation. The economic multiplier effect on youth participation and regional sponsorship is statistically significant and warrants replication across all CONCACAF member associations.
Christa Kleynhans
November 9, 2025 AT 17:15finally someone in the Caribbean is doing something right. we been waiting for this since 2010. no more begging for airtime on beIN. the world is watching and its about time
Kevin Marshall
November 11, 2025 AT 08:40Just watched the 345 FC game. That last goal? Pure poetry. 🙌 If you don’t feel something watching a kid from George Town score on FIFA+, you’re not human.
Eve Armstrong
November 12, 2025 AT 13:57This is a textbook case of cultural infrastructure building. Content Studio didn’t just film games - they built narrative capital. That’s not tech, that’s ethnographic storytelling. And FIFA+ is smart enough to recognize that authenticity > production value.
Lauren Eve Timmington
November 13, 2025 AT 09:31Let’s be real - this is just performative inclusion. FIFA+ needs to check a box for ‘diversity’ before the 2026 World Cup. Don’t pretend this is about equity when the real money’s still in Europe.
Shannon Carless
November 13, 2025 AT 18:39so like… they streamed a game where the ref was wearing flip flops? cool. i guess? 😅
JIM DIMITRIS
November 15, 2025 AT 00:57my dude in the caymans just got scouted by a premier league academy after his uncle saw him on his phone. that’s the whole story right there.
Samba Alassane Thiam
November 15, 2025 AT 13:27They’re gonna get swallowed by DAZN. Mark my words. Local teams don’t survive corporate takeovers. They get turned into branded content. This isn’t progress - it’s assimilation.
Doloris Lance
November 16, 2025 AT 17:30While the narrative is emotionally compelling, the structural implications are underanalyzed. The absence of a formal IP licensing framework for locally produced content raises significant legal vulnerabilities. Without a standardized content rights agreement, Content Studio’s archive could be subject to unilateral repurposing under FIFA+’s expanded 2026 terms. Furthermore, the economic model assumes that digital ad revenue sharing will remain equitable - but historical precedent in similar federations shows disproportionate allocation favoring centralized entities. This is not a triumph of equity; it is a precarious negotiation masked as empowerment.
Beverley Fisher
November 17, 2025 AT 03:20My grandma in Florida just asked me if she can watch the next game. She said it reminded her of when she used to watch her brother play in Alabama in the 60s. I cried. Again.