• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 4, 2025

Chiefs-Dolphins In Germany Is NFLN’s Most-Watched International Game

  • NFL Network’s telecast from Frankfurt averaged 9.6 million viewers.
  • Viewership is up 66% over the Munich game in 2022.
Patrick Mahomes
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL’s commitment to international expansion is paying off with increased TV/digital viewership in the United States.

The NFL Network’s telecast of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 21-14 win over the Dolphins from Frankfurt, Germany, averaged 9.6 million American viewers across TV and digital.

That was up 66% from the comparable 5.8 million for Seattle Seahawks vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Munich last year. It doesn’t include over-the-air viewership from the local Kansas City and Miami TV markets.

It ranks as NFLN’s most-watched international game telecast on record. It’s the league’s second-most watched morning game since the average 9.86 million viewers for Dolphins vs. New York Jets from London back in 2015.

Heading into Sunday, this season’s third international series matchup looked extremely promising. 

The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs vs. the high-scoring Dolphins was arguably one of the three best games of the NFL’s Week 9, along with the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals vs. Buffalo Bills.

On the other hand, coverage kicked off at 9:30 a.m. ET and 6:30 a.m. PT due to the European time zone. The league’s own NFLN telecasted it, and NFLN is distributed in far fewer homes than the league’s other TV partners: ESPN, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, or NBC Sports.

Still, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs are the face of the NFL. The NFL’s commitment to international games – with a possible London Super Bowl in the future– is paying off with increased linear and digital viewership.

Germany Could Be The NFL’s Gateway To International Domination

The Chiefs held on to the beat the Dolphins, 21-14, on Sunday.
November 3, 2023

This year’s three international games are averaging 6.5 million viewers on TV/digital season-to-date. That’s up 20% vs. last year’s three-game average of 5.4 million. 

At the digital level, Chiefs vs. Dolphins’, rang up an average minute audience of 465,000 viewers across NFL+ and the league’s other digital platforms. That also made it the highest international game for digital AMA on record. 

NFLN’s three international games are averaging a digital AMA 332,000, up 25% from last year. 

This Sunday, NFLN will televise its last international series game of the 2023 season, with the New England Patriots taking on the Indianapolis Colts from Frankfurt (9:30 a.m. ET).

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Commanders’ $3.8B Stadium Deal in Jeopardy? Mayor Sounds the Alarm

Political tensions rise about delays in stadium funding approval.
exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

$600M for Browns Stadium Sparks Cleveland Backlash, Possible Lawsuit

The awarding of public funds draws criticism and could bring a lawsuit.
Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
opinion

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

The conservative “Steeler Way” has finally adapted—and media partners are happy.

Featured Today

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.