Early TV ratings for 2026 World Cup set records for Fox, Telemundo
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi isn’t the only one scoring in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Fox and Telemundo are off to a blazing start in the TV ratings for the quadrennial soccer tournament, delivering big increases over the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.Through the first 16 group stage matches, an average of 6 million viewers have watched on Fox and cable network FS1 cable network, a 128% increase over the 2022 FIFA World Cup according to Nielsen data.The first 12 group stage matches of the tournament drew an average of 7.5 million viewers on the Comcast-owned Spanish language network Telemundo, a 234% increase from four years ago.
The Telemundo telecasts are also streamed on Peacock.The U.S.Men’s National Soccer Team’s opening match against Paraguay held Friday at SoFi Stadium set a record for the most-watched World Cup game on both and English and Spanish language television.
The match scored 18 million viewers on Fox and its streaming platforms, while Telemundo’s telecast averaged 9.5 million.The early ratings show the enduring power of live sporting events and their ability to draw mass audiences at a time when streaming video has splintered viewership .Scripted hit prime time TV shows need seven days or more of viewing on demand to reach the audience levels the World Cup is attracting in real time.“Having this World Cup in North America clearly has a huge impact on ratings,” said Patrick Rishe, director of the sports business program at Washington University in St.
Louis.World Cup matches held in the U.S.for the first time since 1994 helps — and a competitive USNMT playing in front of home crowds could turbocharge the ratings to even bigger heights.
Fox is expecting another record when the team plays its third group stage match in prime time on June 25.Hollywood Inc.
As the universe of cable homes gets smaller, teams are turning back to broadcast channels to reach ...