• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 30, 2025

The Most Watched MLS Games in U.S. Television History

  • The most-watched MLS game came in the inaugural MLS Cup match in 1996.
  • D.C. United and Seattle Sounders are featured in five of the top ten most-watched games.
Jul 3, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; D.C. United fans react during the first half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Major League Soccer has a long way in its ambitions to reach the level of media dominance leagues like the NFL and NBA hold within the United States. However, with new viewership records and the Messi effect taking hold, the league is seeing continued growth in television and streaming audiences.

High-stakes matches seem to be propelling the league to new heights in revenue and attendance; of the most-watched MLS games, 60% have been MLS Cup final matches.

The most-watched MLS game ever was the inaugural MLS Cup title match, which drew 3.1 million American viewers in 1996. D.C. United faced off against the Galaxy for supremacy in the new league. 

Fans were treated to a dramatic game featuring five goals. D.C. United came back from a two-goal deficit to send the game into extra time and win 3-2.

D.C. United is featured in the second-most-watched game as well, which drew 2.2 million viewers in the United States. They played the Rapids in a game to decide if they would become the first back-to-back MLS champions in 1997.

Playing at home at the old RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., United scored a late goal to secure their second straight title. Despite rainy conditions, a crowd of 57,431 spectators watched their home team bring home the MLS Cup again. 

Only three games among the most-watched MLS games are regular-season games. 

Freddy Adu’s debut game for D.C. United is the most-watched regular season game, drawing 1.97 million American viewers. At just 14 years old, he became the youngest player ever to play in an MLS game, a record since broken by the Union’s Cavan Sullivan.

The other regular-season game to attract over 1.5 million viewers was the 2019 match between Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls, which had an average of 1.61 million viewers.

As MLS looks to expand the number of teams in the league, it hopes the growing interest will sustain its growth and allow it to compete with bigger, more established domestic leagues.

Ranking The Most-Watched MLS Games Ever

Here is the list of the top 10 most-watched MLS games based on average U.S. viewership. The list was compiled using historical data from MLS Soccer and The Athletic.

  • Updated: April 15, 2025
RankingMatchupDateAverage U.S. Viewership
1D.C. United vs Los Angeles GalaxyOctober 20, 19963.1 million
2D.C. United vs Colorado RapidsOctober 26, 19972.2 million
3D.C. United vs San Jose EarthquakesApril 3, 20041.97 million
4Colorado Rapids vs Portland TimbersNovember 24, 20211.89 million
5Atlanta United vs New York Red BullsJuly 7, 20191.61 million
6Atlanta United vs Portland TimbersDecember 8, 20181.56 million
7New York City FC vs Portland TimbersDecember 11, 20211.51 million
8Los Angeles FC vs Philadelphia UnionNovember 5, 20221.48 million
9Seattle Sounders vs Toronto FCDecember 10, 20161.41 million
10Seattle Sounders vs Portland TimbersJune 30, 20181.16 million

Related lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang celebrates during a team celebration lap after the playoff semifinal match against NJ/NY Gotham FC at Audi Field.

Michele Kang to Lead Lyon As UEFA Delays Multi-Club Ownership Ruling

Lyon’s Europa League fate remains unclear as Michele Kang replaces John Textor.
Leo Messi

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

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
December 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium.

California Finds Money for World Cup, but 49ers Remain Tens of Millions..

The NFL team promised to cover costs of games at their stadium.
Jun 23, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Al Ahly's Mohamed Hany reacts after the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.

Heat Wave Across the U.S. Impacting Major Sports

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said it’s been almost impossible to train.

Featured Today

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.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.

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

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
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 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.
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 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.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.
Tyrese Haliburton
June 16, 2025

NBA Finals Ratings Up Again in Game 4 but Still Down Overall

More than nine million people watched Games 3 and 4.