Saturday, September 26, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

112.3 Million People Watched Super Bowl LVI

  • NBCUniversal’s broadcast of Super Bowl LVI averaged 112.3 million viewers.
  • Viewership saw an increase from last year’s lackluster results.
Super-Bowl-Ratings
Kareem Elgazzar/USA TODAY NETWORK/Design: Alex Brooks

NBCUniversal’s broadcast of Super Bowl LVI between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams averaged 112.3 million viewers, an improvement from last year’s lackluster results. 

Super Bowl LVI averaged 99.2 million viewers on NBC, with another 1.9 million viewers on Telemundo, the most-watched broadcast in five years.

Comcast’s streaming platform Peacock and co-viewing from connected devices averaged 11.2 million viewers, making Super Bowl LVI the most-streamed event ever. 

Super Bowl LVI continues the streak of improved ratings for the NFL.

  • Ratings for regular-season games were up 7% in 2021 compared to the 2020 season.
  • All three rounds of the playoffs saw ratings increase by at least 13%.
  • The AFC and NFC championships averaged 49 million viewers, up from 43 million last year. 

Last year’s Super Bowl LV only averaged 96.4 million viewers across all platforms — the smallest audience for the Big Game since 2007. 

Everybody Wins 

NBC’s broadcast of Super Bowl LVI also helped boost viewership for the Beijing Winter Olympics, which saw its largest audience immediately following the game.

An average of 21.3 million viewers tuned in to the Olympics on NBC after the Rams’ 23-20 win on Sunday night, nearly doubling the event’s previous high of 11.1 million viewers on Feb. 10.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Sep 10, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay during practice at Marvel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

McVay’s Australia Gripe Highlights NFL’s Business-Football Divide

The Rams coach is looking to forget the team’s struggles in Australia.
Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/25/26 – Trump Skips ‘GameDay,’ Sun Leave Connecticut, Juszczyk’s ‘Juice’ Fine

0:00

Featured Today

Exclusive

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Michelle Beadle on the Sirius XM Mad Dog Sports radio set at the Super Bowl 58 media center at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive

Michelle Beadle Joining Matthew Berry’s Roku Show

The new show will debut on Monday.
Rob Gronkowski Front Office Sports
September 25, 2026

Rob Gronkowski Explains Terry Bradshaw’s Viral McBride Moment

Gronkowski says the Hall of Fame quarterback was in on the joke.
Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrate after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
September 25, 2026

Rob Gronkowski ‘Loved’ Tom Brady’s Profane Reaction to Daniels Injury

Brady has since apologized for cursing on-air.
Sponsored

How Ryan Smith Is Building the Future of Sports in Utah

Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner talks from tech to team ownership.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 19, 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump gestures ahead of the trophy presentation REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
September 24, 2026

Donald Trump Not Expected to Join ‘College GameDay’ on Saturday

ESPN does plan to show Trump during its Tennessee–Texas telecast.
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a jersey from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
September 24, 2026

Will Donald Trump Join ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ on Saturday?

Trump will attend Tennessee vs. Texas in Knoxville.
Mar 15, 2026; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA; NBC on-course reporter Jim “Bones” Mackay watches from the first tee during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images
September 24, 2026

Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay Reveals High Cost of Being a Caddie

Mackay was Phil Mickelson’s longtime caddie.
Exclusive
September 23, 2026

Linda Cohn Brings Podcast to Bleav

Cohn’s podcast has reached 36,000 subscribers in just over two months.