The highly anticipated World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina captivated the attention of a massive audience in the United States, breaking multiple viewing records for both Fox and Telemundo. The thrilling match, which saw Spain emerge victorious, was watched by an impressive 62.8 million people in the U.S., shattering previous records.
According to Nielsen ratings, Fox averaged 38.9 million viewers for the Sunday final, making it the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. television history. The game peaked with 51.7 million viewers between 5:45 pm-6 pm ET, as Spain’s Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in extra time.
The 38.9 million viewers that tuned in to watch on Fox also set a new record for the most-watched World Cup Final ever in the U.S. This number includes some pre-match viewing and Fox reported an average of 42.5 million viewers who tuned in just to see the 120-minute match.
The previous record was also set during this World Cup, with 38.9 million people watching the U.S. lose to Belgium in the last 16. In comparison, the 2022 World Cup Final between Argentina and France drew 12.8 million viewers, although it was broadcast earlier in the day.
Telemundo also broke records, with the World Cup becoming the most-watched in Spanish-language history, averaging 6.3 million viewers across the 104 games. This is a significant increase from 2.6 million viewers in 2022. The 23.9 million viewers who tuned in to Telemundo and Peacock made Spain’s win over Argentina the most-watched soccer match in Spanish-language media history, surpassing the 23.2 million viewers who watched England beat Mexico at the Azteca stadium in the Round of 16.
The tournament’s success can be attributed to its hosting by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, which made it a huge ratings success for both broadcasters. The 2026 World Cup is expected to be just as popular, with the U.S. hosting the tournament for the first time since 1994.
As the World Cup continues to grow in popularity, it’s clear that the tournament is a major event that captivates audiences worldwide. The numbers speak for themselves, with the World Cup Final drawing in a massive 62.8 million viewers in the U.S. alone.
In addition to the record-breaking viewership, the World Cup also spurred 2.8 million sign-ups to Fox One, a streaming service that offers exclusive content to its users. This is a significant increase from previous years, demonstrating the growing interest in the World Cup.
The World Cup’s impact on the sports broadcasting industry is undeniable, with the tournament breaking multiple viewing records for both Fox and Telemundo. As the sports broadcasting industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the World Cup continues to shape the industry.
