• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Super Bowl LVIII Scores Big With International Viewers

  • Global audiences for the game grew 10% from last year.
  • It’s a promising data point as the league expands globally, with its first game in Brazil coming up.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL released its international Super Bowl audience numbers Wednesday, revealing a 10% increase in viewership from last year’s game.

According to the league, 62.5 million viewers watched the Chiefs’ overtime victory over the 49ers, which also marked the game’s biggest U.S. audience with 202.4 million cumulative viewers. Per the league, total audience numbers hit 24.1 million in Mexico, 18.8 million in Canada, 3.8 million in Germany, 3.7 million in the United Kingdom, and nearly 3 million in Australia. Average viewership went up between 5% and 26% compared to last year in those countries. Meanwhile, China clocked its most-watched Super Bowl in seven years.

The growing audiences in Germany and the U.K.—which averaged 1.9 million and 1.2 million viewers, respectively, a 13% and 18% jump from last year—were particularly impressive given that kickoff took place after midnight in Germany (and only an hour earlier in London) and that the game stretched to nearly two overtimes.

That growth is an encouraging metric for the league as it continues to expand its international reach. The NFL held five international games in 2023, with three in London and two in first-time host Frankfurt, Germany. Among the five international contests next season: South America will get its first NFL game when the Eagles start their season in Sāo Paulo, Brazil, on the Friday of kickoff weekend. 

In addition to viewership, the league also shared that NFL social media channels saw significant increases in follower count and engagement across all international markets.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bruce Meyer and Tony Clark of the MLBPA

MLBPA Elects Meyer As Interim Executive Director

He’s known as someone not afraid to ruffle feathers.
Feb 18, 2026; Milan, Italy; Mitch Marner of Canada celebrates with Macklin Celebrini after scoring their fourth goal in overtime to win the match against Czechia in a men's ice hockey quarterfinal during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

IOC Once Again Cracking Down on Olympic Social Media Clips

NHL teams have gone to extreme lengths to work around IOC restrictions.

Mahomes Reworks Deal, Clears $43.6M for Cap-Strapped Chiefs

The quarterback’s contract is restructured for the fourth straight year.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks owner Jody Allen holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.

Seahawks Finally Up For Sale 10 Days After Super Bowl Win

The late Paul Allen paid $194 million for the team in 1997.

Featured Today

Max Valverde by Ron Winsett

How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

Max Valverde’s gushing over the niche sport vaulted him to Olympic broadcaster.
Feb 11, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Jaelin Kauf of the United States during freestyle skiing women's moguls final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park
February 13, 2026

The Surprise Hit of the Winter Olympics: First-Person Drone Views

Tiny drone cameras have reshaped the Olympics viewing experience.
Feb 11, 2026; Milan, Italy; Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States skate during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena.
February 13, 2026

Olympic Figure Skaters Pay Out of Pocket for $9,000 Costumes

For four minutes on ice, stakes are high—and prices even higher.
February 11, 2026

Epstein Emails Show His F1 Ties Ran Deep

The sex trafficker’s circles included many of the biggest names in F1.
Adam Silver at All-Star
February 18, 2026

After Fixing All-Star Format, NBA and NBC Weighing Saturday Changes

NBC is eyeing a potential 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 tournament.
John Fanta is set to make his NBA play-by-play debut for NBC.
exclusive
February 18, 2026

John Fanta to Make ‘NBA on NBC Sports’ Play-by-Play Debut

Fanta will be on the call for Wolves-Blazers on Tuesday.
Sponsored

From MLS to AUSL: Jon Patricof on Building Sports Leagues

Jon Patricof on athlete equity, fan-first strategy, and how women’s sports can reshape the future of league building.
Apr 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Ronda Rousey (black attire) and Shotzi (green hair) during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium.
February 17, 2026

Netflix Leans Further Into Spectacle Fights With Rousey-Carano

The fight will run in partnership with Jake Paul’s MVP Promotions.
February 17, 2026

CBS Sports Parent Gets 7 Days to Make ‘Best and Final’ Offer..

A seven-day negotiating period shows a new level of openness.
February 16, 2026

NBA All-Star Ratings Way Up After Jump to NBC

Preliminary ratings show the All-Star Game was the league’s most-watched in years.
February 13, 2026

‘Have to Pinch Myself’: Chris Berman Marvels at ESPN Getting Super Bowl

Expect Berman to be pivotal in ESPN’s 2027 Super Bowl broadcast.