The most watched soccer match in United States history didn't involve the US team. The England-Mexico game on Sunday, which kicked off at 10pm Eastern, 9pm Central, got 22 million viewers on FOX and 23 million on Telemundo, for about 45 million total. That's almost as many viewers as the AFC and NFC Championship games last year, which drew an average of 47 million. The USA-Belgium match drew about 42 million viewers combined on FOX (30 million) and Telemundo (12 million). It will be interesting to see if these ratings translate to increased ratings for MLS and Premier League this fall. I know the World Cup is a different beast, much like the Super Bowl, where casuals tune in just for the spectacle, but these tv numbers are enormous. You have to think that some of the new soccer watchers will continue to watch the sport and it will hopefully continue to grow in America.
Interesting World Cup TV ratings
- Thread starter FlotownDawg
- Start date
Mexicans love their team and the sport year round, we love our team once every 4 years, like an Olympic event.
It ended up 8 pm CDT. And on a Sunday night. That’s a sweet window
I agree that's why you got the big number on Telemundo. But I imagine most of the 22 million who watched it on FOX were Gringos who aren't Mexican fans. And it was a great game full of drama. Will that translate to more interest in soccer year-round? We will see.
I hope so, but I doubt it will. That was a great game, as good as you will ever see, in an absolute cauldron atmosphere.
I don't know shiit about 17 when it comes to soccer (or anything really but especially soccer) but it was BAFFLING to me why they didn't oganize the tournament to have the USA play on July 4 or 5. I'd have to think those ratings would have blown the doors off.
I get fifa is a lot more than USA, but having any host country play on an important national date seems like a no-brainer. But I guess Monday was better maybe.
I get fifa is a lot more than USA, but having any host country play on an important national date seems like a no-brainer. But I guess Monday was better maybe.
I'm sure they were. It wasn't just Mexico. England would be easily the 2nd biggest TV draw for the the non-Hispanic population in USA. So that was pretty much a dream matchup for Fox.
Man, when you learn it's a game changer!
And Monday ended up being better, due to the loss.
Heck, even I watched it and I'm in the every four years or Olympics only crowd.
The game has piqued my interest though as I slowly start to understand it. It can be beautiful with the passing and shots on goal but so can a play at the plate just wished it happened more in both sports.
There's a LOT more to it that that. The whole tournament has to be scheduled around the club league seasons in every country. July 4 fell in the knockout stages and there was no way to know which game USA would be playing in (if any). At one point there was a chance of a USA v England game on July 4. Now that would have been a ratings gold mine.
The England Mexico game had a better night of the week & better time slot, particularly for West Coast people. The US game started at 5:00 PT, which is when LA is mostly stuck in traffic.
The ratings have been insane though. If this doesn't lead to more kids playing soccer, then nothing will. That said, I'm not sure more kids playing will make a different when it seems like the only water in the world capable of developing a player is Western Europe