{"id":4760,"date":"2026-07-11T11:03:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T11:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=4760"},"modified":"2026-07-11T11:03:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T11:03:37","slug":"host-of-ratings-and-viewership-data-show-this-world-cup-to-be-a-winner-across-the-united-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=4760","title":{"rendered":"Host of ratings and viewership data show this World Cup to be a winner across the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The World Cup has been satisfying in a variety of ways, from Kylian Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s dynamism to Erling Haaland\u2019s Gronk-like good-natured dominance to the Tartan Army takeover of Boston\u2019s favorite houses of refreshment to \u2014 perhaps I have mentioned this before? \u2014 Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovi\u0107\u2019s open mockery of Alexi Lalas on the Fox studio program.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more The horribly familiar story behind the whole Graham Platner debacle<\/a><\/p>\n

The joy and entertainment that the World Cup has delivered in a broad way has been reflected in staggering viewership numbers for its broadcast partners.<\/span><\/p>\n

Colleague Aidan Ryan dug into the ratings and viewership for the US men\u2019s national team, particularly in the Boston market, in his \u201cTrendlines\u201d newsletter this week. It\u2019s an informative read if you missed it.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Related: <\/span><\/span>World Cup viewership numbers show Boston is a soccer town<\/div>\n

Over here, let\u2019s check out some other ratings and viewership data of note through the round of 16 before acknowledging a couple of variables that have benefited the broadcast and streaming partners in this year\u2019s tournament:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25aa Fox averaged 14.47 million viewers for its round of 16 broadcasts, locking it in as the most-watched round of 16 in English-language broadcasting history in the United States. That\u2019s up a staggering 216 percent from the same period during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which was available on Fox and FS1.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25aa The top 10 most-watched matches in Spanish-language history in the United States (in terms of total audience) all happened during the first 96 matches in this World Cup. Overall, across Telemundo and its streaming platforms, plus Peacock and Universo, the total audience averaged 5.7 million viewers, up 157 percent over 2022 (2.2 million average).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25aa The United States\u2019 suspense-free 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16 Monday nevertheless became this country\u2019s most-watched soccer telecast, averaging 33 million viewers. The audience peaked at 41 million from 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. That\u2019s getting into NFL playoff viewership territory, which are the most-watched of their television season. The Patriots\u2019 three playoff games averaged 28.9 million (Chargers), 38 million (Texans), and 48.6 million (AFC Championship game vs. the Broncos, the second-most watched game of the NFL season, excluding the Super Bowl).<\/span><\/p>\n

A little more context is necessary to understand why the World Cup numbers are so outstanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not to sound like Lalas, but it helps greatly that it\u2019s in the United States, particularly in terms of start times. The 2022 final between France and Argentina in Qatar started at 10 a.m. in the East and 7 a.m. Pacfic. That match averaged 25.3 million viewers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more How Dan McKee became one of America\u2019s most endangered governors<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: <\/span><\/span>Podcast tells full story of Mark \u2018The Bird\u2019 Fidrych, Northborough\u2019s own who shot to stardom 50 years ago<\/div>\n

The 2018 World Cup in Russia \u2014 for which the USMNT did not qualify \u2014 offered starker numbers, with the final between France and Croatia averaging 12.51 million viewers in the United States on Fox and Telemundo.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that live sports ratings are up pretty much anywhere you look in part because Nielsen changed its methodology in September 2025, an upgrade that now includes out-of-home audience measurements in such establishments as bars and restaurants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just a hunch, but those do seem like spots where people like to gather to watch sports. Especially something as universal and inclusive as the World Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

One last thought: If you think the numbers have been massive so far, just wait if we get a truly compelling matchup in the final.<\/span><\/p>\n

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An appreciation<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

When someone passes away and there are a flood of kind and genuine tributes saluting all of that person\u2019s best attributes, I sometimes catch myself hoping that the person had known while still here how people felt. <\/span><\/p>\n

I like to believe that Dan Ventura, the revered longtime high school sportswriter for the Herald who died Tuesday at age 66, knew how much people liked and appreciated him. He was outgoing and hilarious and seemed to know everyone, and everyone that knew him was happy that they did.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A miscalculation<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What a miscalculation by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to cancel a scheduled appearance on \u201cThe Dan Patrick Show\u201d during the week. There is not a more prepared host than Patrick, who asks tough, straightforward questions but is always fair. Actually, maybe that\u2019s what she\u2019s trying to avoid \u2014 someone who knows what to ask and has no fear of asking \u2026 Andy Hart, who was let go by WEEI in April during the latest shakeup with its afternoon program, has matriculated over to the Sports Hub, where he began doing some fill-in work at the start of July. Some decisionmakers at the Sports Hub have always appreciated Hart\u2019s approach, and the connection came together quickly after his WEEI dismissal. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more Women\u2019s rugby vs. Quinnipiac anything but a game in Title IX fight against diminishing sport to club status<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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